Triumphrat

funhunter63 · 04-01-2007

I just bought a thunderbird this week. I took in on a 250 mile run today. It was great! I noticed oil leaking out of the air filter box and dripping on whatever is below. What would cause this? Or better yet, what should I do to correct this?

TonyD · 04-02-2007

Have a look at this thread from last year:

Oil Breather

Rincewind · 04-02-2007

In my case, the cause was related to dealers overfilling my crankcase with oil. This was a problem from new. Don't let them change your oil - do it yourself and verify that it is only filled to 1/2 way up the sight glass.

Drain your airbox - there is a tube coming out the bottom of your bike by the bottom of the monoshock - release the stopper that's up that tube and that will drain the airbox.

In my case, it still leaked after correcting the oil level. One dealer replaced the centrifugal oil breather behind the LH crankcase cover under warranty, but the problem returned.

I finally resolved this (hopefully for good!) by buying a replacement oil seal for the LH crankcase cover. When I opened up the LH cover, I found that the existing oil seal was torn in places. There is a mandrel that comes with the new seal - it's important to keep that mandrel in place until the last minute as it has to conform properly to the centrifugal oil breather shaft.

I bought this seal at Bikebandit.com. The part number at bikebandit is : 5576844-001 -- SEAL,OIL,14 --- $34.13 Shipped

funhunter63 · 04-02-2007

If the oil was overfilled in the past, could that oil in the airbox still be the only problem? Some did drain out of the hsoe when I pulled the plug out. I am going to drive it awhile a see if it reappears and drain the hose again. Hopefully I won't have change parts. Thanks for you input.

highcard · 04-02-2007

When I got mine back from servicing a couple of weeks ago, I had both the oil leak from air box and coolant.

After putting some more miles on the bike, both apparently have leveled off and stopped leaking.

jamboa2003 · 04-02-2007

I can not see the oil level it that small freakin window they put on the 885 motor. I had my 1995 T-Bird for six years and was lucky it did not burn oil between oil changes. Maybe I always had too much oil like some are saying. The window was always completley filled or dark.