Triumphrat

bforbes · 08-07-2005, 09:51 AM

I have a new Bonney that is leaking oil on the engine casing below the carbs. the dealer replaced an oil line at the cooler, but it's still leaking somewhere else. a pool of oil forms just below the chaincase breather hose. any suggestions ? Bruce

larryshep · 08-07-2005, 10:10 AM

You do not mention how new it is. There is a protective film of oil sprayed all over the bikes prior to shipment to the various areas of dealers. Some dealers do not clean all of the oil from around the engine fins and it will take time for it to go away. I Hope that is your problem.

derek985 · 08-07-2005, 11:21 AM

The protective oil that Triumph uses is called Cosmolene and it is intended to prevent any type of rust during overseas shipment. Larryshep is correct when he says that some dealers do not do a great job removing it - mine didn't and I had the same concern.

Before taking it back in consider giving the engine a thorough cleaning with some mild degreaser, dry it off and see if any pools develop after that - might save you some time & a few bucks.

D.

dazco · 08-07-2005, 12:09 PM

He said it's "pooling" so i don't think it would be the Cosmolene he's talking about. But speaking of that stuff, anyone know what works to take that stuff off easily? (One reply with an answer will do...please lets not hi-jack the thread)

bforbes · 08-07-2005, 12:11 PM

thanks, guys, but it's really leaking oil. it appears to be near the chaincase breather pipe. It has 1100 km now, bought it new last Wednesday. The dealer is 1000 miles from me, I can't go back. I will take it to the Harley dealer here, maybe he can fix it.

larryshep · 08-07-2005, 01:08 PM

At 1100 km it very well could be still the cosmolene. Mine did that for about 1000 miles...right where you mentioned, right nest to the breather hose under the left carb...I would give it a chance. By the way that is now a clutch housing/gear case, no chain primarys on the modern bonnys.
Dasco..does pooling indicate a quanity on a flat surface..?

ChuckBecker · 08-07-2005, 01:17 PM

You mention that the pool of oil is forming right below a breather line. One thing to check might be engine oil level. Too high, and it might be blowing out the breather?

I had a Sportster that was very sensitive to primary drive oil level. If it was at the "top" mark, and I rode the snot out of it, oil would blow out all over the right side of the engine (from the breather line).

FWIW...

bucktech69 · 08-07-2005, 02:44 PM

Quote:

On 2005-08-07 11:11, bforbes wrote:
thanks, guys, but it's really leaking oil. it appears to be near the chaincase breather pipe. It has 1100 km now, bought it new last Wednesday. The dealer is 1000 miles from me, I can't go back. I will take it to the Harley dealer here, maybe he can fix it.

They didn't think I knew what I was talking about either, but it was the cylinder base gasket. Ever heard of small claims court? They have to go if subpoened, or you win. If they go, you win just based on the law and however many times the judge has been scrxwed in his life.

badrufus · 08-07-2005, 02:55 PM

Several Bonnie riders have had a quickly remedied oil leak from the oil sending unit. This is directly behind the middle of the cylinders, a sending unit with a rubber boot and a banjo fitting leading to the braided oil line. I had stopped by the dealer and one of the mechanics noticed pooled oil behind the cylinders. He tightened the unit up and cleaned it off and when I got home I added another tweak. Others have had the copper washers replaced and the unit retorqued. So far, from 800 miles at the problem to 3600 miles now, no leak. Other than that, it might be a gasket, and then you need to figure out with the Triumph dealer how to get reimbursed for work performed at the HD dealer.

bucktech69 · 08-07-2005, 02:58 PM

You subpoena Triumph. They have to send a representative and face the negative publicity.