New 08 Sprint - Oil on Underside of Engine by Breather Hoses

[3Moons]

I took possession of a new, 08, red Sprint today to add to my T100 stable. I traded in my 05 Bandit 1200S, and got a great deal ($9,250 plus tax and tags and $500 higher than trade-in price on my Bandit). Plus the dealer, Hermy's, delivered the bike to my door and took away my Bandit (a 150 mile round trip) at no charge.

It was only 42 degrees today, and, by the time the trade happened, I only had a chance to put 25 miles on the bike. I spotted drops on the ground after I rode the bike and discovered very clear, oil-like fluid on the underside of the engine next to where the three breather hoses come down on the left side. It reappeared after I wiped and rode it. I can't see or feel any sign where this fluid is coming from. It's too far forward to be coming from the sproket. The drain plug is tight and too far back, and the oil filter is dry.

Any ideas would be appreciated. I'm happy to be joining the Sprint form, in addition to the Bonnie forum.

[Tri-oomph!]

I don't know what it is, but my 06 dripped a little on the ground last summer, but only on hot days it seemed. I thought it might be fuel from expandsion but I never did conclude anything more.

[Pcdabbler]

Hopefully its just some of the preservative Triumph coat the Bike with just coming off. Is it oil, or is it wax like ? Part of the PDI is to clean all that stuff off.

If not, alternator cover or cam covers have been known to leak from new occaisionally. After all, it IS a Triumph :-)

[3Moons]

Clear oil, not wax. It is odd to have the preservative show just in one spot. Again, I can't detect ant signs of leaking from above. The fairing helped the cold today, but it sure blocks my vision.

[ricster]

Those bolts that go around the covers on both sides tend to be loose I noticed on mine and mine dripped intially until I re-torqued everything and now no leaks 12k later knocking on wood

[Tbone]

Originally Posted by ricster

Those bolts that go around the covers on both sides tend to be loose I noticed on mine and mine dripped intially until I re-torqued everything and now no leaks 12k later knocking on wood

My '08 did the same thing when I first got it. A quick trip to the dealer got the bolts all torqued up to spec ( they were loose ) and the problem is solved.

[3Moons]

ricster and TBone:

Thanks. My dealer is 75 miles and low winter temps away. I'll have him check the bolts when the weather warms. Spring can't come quick enough.

[DaytonaDave]

Same problem with my '08. Whipped the fairing off to check things out to find it had a thin coating of oil on the inside and a drip or two from the alternator cover. Retorqued all the bolts so hopefully all Ok . Will check after the next ride.

[pdreger]

Originally Posted by 3Moons

I took possession of a new, 08, red Sprint today to add to my T100 stable. I traded in my 05 Bandit 1200S, and got a great deal ($9,250 plus tax and tags and $500 higher than trade-in price on my Bandit). Plus the dealer, Hermy's, delivered the bike to my door and took away my Bandit (a 150 mile round trip) at no charge.

It was only 42 degrees today, and, by the time the trade happened, I only had a chance to put 25 miles on the bike. I spotted drops on the ground after I rode the bike and discovered very clear, oil-like fluid on the underside of the engine next to where the three breather hoses come down on the left side. It reappeared after I wiped and rode it. I can't see or feel any sign where this fluid is coming from. It's too far forward to be coming from the sproket. The drain plug is tight and too far back, and the oil filter is dry.

Any ideas would be appreciated. I'm happy to be joining the Sprint form, in addition to the Bonnie forum.

When I bought my 2006 st,the dealer told me that the factory put a film on the bike for protection.Dealer said don't be alarmed that when the bike gets hot that a clear oil film will drip from the bike,which it did.After a couple hundred miles and a good cleaning,it stopped.Give it a little time,get bike very hot to burn off protective coating,hope it's the same situation as mine.A little time will tell.

[DaveM]

Hi and welcome to the forum pdreger

As a housekeeping item we ask all our noobs to please read our forum stickies.

Enjoy the forum................

cheers,
DaveM