Triumphrat

OhioSpeedmaster

I've been battling chronic oil leaks with my 2007 Bonneville. She has 3600 Miles on her. I've had the clutch switch replaced due to an oil leak and the engine cover seal replaced. Now I'm battling another one.

On the right hand side of the motor I'm accumulating oil on the fins. It appears to start from somewhere inside and work its way out. The harder I ride her the more she leaks. The oil level doesnt seem to be affected too much. In fact, I'm wondering if maybe she had too much oil put into her the last time she was worked on.

I took it to the dealer who had a quick glance at her and thought it was cosmoline. I'm having a hard time buying that one since it's only showing up on this location and I have 3600 miles on her. He said to just ride it and moniter it closely. I'm due for another oil change in 2400 miles and he would take a closer look then....

I've attached a pic showing the leaks ( Hopefully, it will show up )

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Chris

Attached Images

TriumphOilLeak.jpg (155.3 KB, 148 views)

propforward

Is it that brown spot on the one fin in the middle of the picture? That's a bit wierd - there isn't a joint at that position.

I'll study it longer, maybe I'm looking at the wrong spot.

__________________
If you ever drop your keys in molten lava, forget about them, because man, they're gone.

OhioSpeedmaster

You are correct,
It is that brown residue on the fins, It also appears between the fins.
Is it possible it could be cosmoline?

propforward

It is possible - seems unilkely after this many miles as you have said, but I can't see obvious signs of it coming out of either the cam cover, cylinder head (wouldn't "jump upwards" anyway) or exhaust ports. That's what you need to look for, is a trace back to some joint or fitting or other.

Stick your finger on it (when the engine is cold) is it sticky at all? I think cosmoline is a little sticky when cold. (I might be worng there - apprantly I had the only bonnie that a dealer cleaned properly - I never found any on mine).

__________________
If you ever drop your keys in molten lava, forget about them, because man, they're gone.

GreaserGuy

I have the exact same problem on my 07 T100 with 4100 miles. My cam cover gaskets are weeping so I thought that's where the oil is coming from, but could this be another problem besides the gaskets?

__________________
2007 Bonneville T100

Project car: 1969 Lincoln Continental

killian101

I dont remember who it was...but there is a chem you can add to your oil...i think it glows or something but it will show any oil leaks...

NorthernThrux

Chris,

Two possibilities to look at. You may have a leaky right exhaust seal. When you ride hard it may leak out and get blown around the side like that. Of course you really shouldn't have oil leaking out your exhaust in the first place. Which leads me to the second possibility. Cracked head, maybe caused by an overtorqued lower right exhaust stud ?

I think you need to gently pressure wash the area and then run the bike for a while and see if anything appears there, or whether there is something further up front which then gets blown back when you ride.

EDIT: It really does look like cosmoline. But that doesn't seem consistent with seeing more the harder you ride.

__________________
2008 Thrux. Racetech springs and emulators front, Ohlins rear, FCR39 carbs @ R&D remote fuel screws, Zard Exhaust, Pretech 6 pot front caliper, custom tail, AI & Airbox removed, LSL Frame sliders, Nology wires and coil.

CAPTDON

It doesnt look like oil to me? Depending on how much "Dealer prep"- like they really do any
cosmoline can melt down for some time! The dealer is supposed to clean it off- rite! My engineis so dry rite now its dusty! It had cosmoline on it for a year or so. The dealer did some cleaning. DONT over fill her!! Then you WILL see leaks!! Hang in- it looks OK!

__________________
CAPT D

Baltobonneville

A few people have had defective porous heads, i.e. bad castings.

__________________
Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Unifilter, no snorkel, 120/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, fly screen, tacho, D9 gauge panel, center stand, Ikon 7610s, Hagon fork springs, gaiters, Pirelli Sport Demons, 3 seats.

theinvisiblecity

My '08 with 1300 miles basically did exactly the same as yours. It seemed to have stopped about 100 miles ago but yesterday it was back. On mine it looks like it might be coming from the cam cover and following that seam down to the fins. It's on the very top fin and is found further down like yours.

How do you identify weather it is cosmoline or not??