Oil leak detection

[mlivkovich]

Maybe someone find this helpful...
I noticed that my oil cooler leaked a  few drops of oil after ride. It leaked in bottom LH area near oil pipe and I had to inspect and find exact spot of leakage. Cleaned everything with brake cleaner and let it dry. Then put some powder talc and after 15 mins on idle a leakage spot showed up! Luckily, rubber o ring gave up but I alredy ordered new cooler and braided lines as I'll need them in future project

[Hooli]

Right where they all go eventually. I had two standard ones go there so fitted a different type with triangular end tanks, that makes it much better & it's not failed since.

[GSXKING]

Had it had impact with anything or just happened out of the blue 

[mlivkovich]

It just happened, even oil cooler cover is untouched 

[Hooli]

Yeah, it's the expansion & contraction of the cooler due to the heat of the oil, they crack as they're made of monkey metal. I've found they manage about 50k miles before failure.

[mlivkovich]

Hooli you were right! First test told me that its only o-ring failure but after good clean and new o-rings, oil leaked 1 cm above 
Obviously bad design, my bike has 61tkm so far

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Yeah, it's the expansion & contraction of the cooler due to the heat of the oil, they crack as they're made of monkey metal. I've found they manage about 50k miles before failure.

Good to know Mr.Hooli, my K3 is at 48000km

[Hooli]

Hooli you were right! First test told me that its only o-ring failure but after good clean and new o-rings, oil leaked 1 cm above 
Obviously bad design, my bike has 61tkm so far

Sorry to hear it, but I'm not surprised. I've seen so many fail over the years & it's almost always the bottom left corner.

My replacement was from Aaron Rads in the UK but I'm sure you could get one made a lot more locally & probably cheaper.

[mlivkovich]

New cooler is already home, its a 330x150x50mm universal cooler, smaller than oem but i've seen it on other bikes and they work ok. I am in proces of making bracket for cooler and fan and making oil lines, few more hours of work and time to test it. I am still trying to decide what route will lines go 

[Hooli]

Looks a similar size to the HEL one, does it foul the yokes on full lock? the HEL does as it's thicker than standard.

[mlivkovich]

I don't know yet, bike is still on table. It probably would need new steering stops on bottom yoke. I had to make new ones when put USD forks but I'll know as soon as lines and cooler are finished.

[Globalrider]

Had mine go in Spain - exactly the same area. What an ordeal that was and never did get to Portugal!!

[grog]

Mliv, will watch with interest. Im thinking i should do similar before mine leaks. Mate owns radiator shop, can get coolers any size.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Mliv, will watch with interest. Im thinking i should do similar before mine leaks. Mate owns radiator shop, can get coolers any size.

Grog, same here, that would be ideal to have new one made to same size as oem.  I'd buy one if you go ahead with that.

[grog]

Eric, ill have an ask next week. Gotta be cheaper than cooler prices for 14.