Triumphrat

Calitriple · 08-07-2006

Is this true? I have an oil leak comming from somewhere and I have to find it. I figured that if I presure wash it and ride it for a little bit I could trace the leak. I'm not losing any oil out of the engine so it is a bit frustrating.....

papes · 08-07-2006

Cali, I have always been told that it's a bad idea to pressure wash any bike. Supposedly there is a chance that water will get past seals and potentially cause bigger problems than an oil leak......

xrod · 08-07-2006

You have to be really careful with a pressure washer. I've seen them strip paint easily. Also, the seals around the coils are *****. Water gets past them without even trying. You'll be surprised the first time you check your plugs and see the rust. Personally, I wouldn't use one near my bike.

xenarchi · 08-07-2006

Not worth the risk with any bike.

Calitriple · 08-07-2006

Thanks. I doesn't matter really with a dirt bike but I guess these are a little more finiky. Guess I'm gonna have to find another way to track down that leak. Aybody know where oil is comming from when it runs down the swing arm and the oil level in the motor isn't dropping.

Ricochet_Rabbit · 08-07-2006

Why not just thoroughly wash the bike by hand? Use a bit of simple green on the oily parts.

ssregal39 · 08-07-2006

or, if you want to get crazy... you can put some UV dye in it and find a UV light and very easily trace the leak :hammer:

TripleTrouble · 08-07-2006

I pressure wash mine at least twice a month, as much as once a week. Sure, the plug wells collect water... so what. Its a non-issue. Just dont be an idiot with the wand and you'll be fine.

Chris

kuhlka · 08-07-2006

DO NOT USE SIMPLE GREEN ON CARBON FIBER!!!

My buddy with an XB12S ruined a piece of carbon fiber before he knew. He has a friend who ruined an entire set of accessory parts because he sprayed Simple Green all over the bike and didn't rinse it off in time. I think he said it eats away at the epoxy.

If you're using a pressure sprayer, only use it at a distance and aim down. If you get much closer than a foot, the pressure can peel paint, dig into rubber seals, clean off any chain lube, etc. So if you're at the car wash, stand back and just wash the bike. Don't use high pressure for detailing, lol.

Also you keep the hose aimed at a downward angle to prevent the water from collecting on top of the motor and possibly getting down into your spark plug holes. I've heard of people having problems with that.