Massive oil leak

[ajbrooks14]

I took my 79 Yamaha XS1100 into the dealer for new tires. They gave me an oil change for free. About a week later/ 2 rides I had a massive oil leak (All oil lost in 20 secs). I just got done removing the carburetor and air cleaner so I could look at the engine, and there is no cracks in the engine or broken lines. I was wondering if the dealer could have over filled the oil? Where would that come out at?

[Incubus]

If the dealer did not properly torque the oil filter cover you would lose lots of oil real quickly. It would squirt out around the filter at about 60 psi.

JAT

Patrick

[ajbrooks14]

clarification

I believe the oil came from the oil pipe by the upper union bolt. Could that happen if they overfilled the oil and pressure built up in the dual overhead cams?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey AJ,

You said all oil in 20 seconds, where did it go, all over the garage floor???

Yep, either the oil filter bolt, OR the crankcase bolt. The capacity is written right on the side of the engine case, but depending on their ability to read the manual, and having it on centerstand vs. sidestand, if they used the site glass, they could have over filled it?? There is a crank case vent...large hose over the rear of the engine/tranny case....gose to the Air box IF you have one, so checking your air filter for excess oil would show whether it got blown out there or not!?

The O-ring on the filter cup can sometimes get put in crooked or partially out of the groove leading to leaks as well!

Oil and filter changes and such are relatively easy, but if you are mechanically challenged, or physically disabled or such, then we could see going to a dealer for this, but most dealer's and their young mech/techs aren't very familiar with these old analog machines....carbs vs. F.I., no computer connection for diagnostics, etc.. Many have gotten their bikes back in worse condition than when they went into the shop.

SO....we highly suggest you do your own work on your bike. We don't know how long you've had/owned it, etc.. There are manuals available for download from member Catatonic Bug's profile.

T.C.

[ajbrooks14]

thanks

Thanks Patrick and T.C. All the oil went on the street. Luckly I wasn't going fast (20mph) or I'd be in the hospital cause it slicked my back tire. Already got the clymer service manual, and you better believe that the only hands touching my bike will be mine.
A.J

[DGXSER]

Also, if it looks like it came form that oil pressur eline to the head, check the jack..uhh...rabbits did not loosen the bolts on either end of that line. You can never out guess some of the stupid stuff other people do to someone elses bike sometimes.

[CaptonZap]

OR, fill it up with the cheapest oil you can find, put a big pan underit, take the spark plugs out, and use the starter to turn it over. Watch and see where the oil comes out. : CZ

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Free!

Free or not, if they caused a massive oil leak on your bike and you didn't ask them too change the oil, they should pick up the bill for their neg. You bought tires, you paid your money for service and you could have been killed when the oil covered your back tire from poor workmanship, thank God you are OK. I would fix the prob, them tell them about your troubles and ask for compensation for your time and $ JIMHO.

[Eveready1100]

Mate, from personal experience, I can tell you that filling the oil to the mark on the sightglass while the bike's on the centrestand will not cause all the oil to come out. All it did was saturate the air filter and blow Sh*tloads of smoke & miss under load. Oil was still overfull when I got home after a 200 odd klm return leg of my trip. So it must be something else.

[natemoen]

Mate, from personal experience, I can tell you that filling the oil to the mark on the sightglass while the bike's on the centrestand will not cause all the oil to come out. All it did was saturate the air filter and blow Sh*tloads of smoke & miss under load. Oil was still overfull when I got home after a 200 odd klm return leg of my trip. So it must be something else.

I am assuming you meant to say sidestand and not centerstand. You are supposed to have the bike on the centerstand when you fill it with oil.

[Eveready1100]

Oh, yeah. sorry about that. Bit brain dead at the moment. Just came off night shift. Same scenario as when the incident happened to the oil. Got up after a couple of hours sleep to get ready for the days ride and did the pre-ride check while still having my first coffee. Say no more. Easy as that.