Fluid leak on M696

[duclvr]

Any idea where this might be coming from? Left side of the bike. Only after riding. Nothing on the garage floor.
I have 1035 miles and 600 mile service was done.

[Slide Panda]

Cna you ID the fluid?  is it oil?  Is it, brake etc?  Are any of the fuilds disappearing from their reservoirs (brake/clutch), oil getting lower in the sight glass?

My 1st guess (and really just tossing out ideas - don't take this as certain), is that it's oil.  It's seeping out between the alternator cover and the main case since that seal wasn't done right/or the screws holding the alt cover on have backed off a little.

Break out the torque wrench and cinch down all the bolts.  Clean up and see if it comes back.

Or before you do that - bust out a strong light and have a look all over.  Oil is very tricky.  It can leak in one spot, but appear in a toatlly different one.  I had a leak by my clutch slave - and the oil was working it's way FORWARD and then down all over my starter and such.  As a result, I thought I had a lead at my horiz head (which had been off recently) - but I was 100% off track in that thought.  So oil leaks can be a PITA to track down.

[Howie]

Clean the area real well, go for a ride and inspect.  If you still can't tell, clean again, spray the area with an aerosol foot powder, go foe another ride.  The stain in the foot powder will point to the leak.  Or just go back to the dealer, particularly if the leak started after the service.  Do keep in mind, your bike is under warranty.

[duclvr]

Thanks for the replies.

I cleaned it all off. I will ride on monday and see if it comes back. Dealer is open again on Tuesday.
the fluid seemed to have a yellowish tint to it and was not extremely viscous.

I check the oil sight glass regularly and it does not seem to be losing there.

[Howie]

Sounds like it may be brake fluid, in your photo I can't tell if there is leakage above the slave cylinder.  Maybe they flushed the clutch fluid and were a little messy? 

[be350ka]

Since I am paranoid about everything I might suggest that you put some water or denatured alcohol on the affected area.  This way if it was DOT brake fluid it wont eat the paint. 

You said that it isn't that viscous, so you may want to check the clutch line for leaks or the slave cylinder.

[Sleeper_I]

Just a guess but did you over filled the gas tanks?

[duclvr]

Ok the fluid came back today after my ride. I think its oil, but can't  narrow down the location.
So to the dealer it goes. 

[fddk696]

I had the same problem. I found that I was filling the gas tank to full. Stop filling before gas gets into the filler neck of the tank and I think it will solve your problem.

[duclvr]

I had the same problem. I found that I was filling the gas tank to full. Stop filling before gas gets into the filler neck of the tank and I think it will solve your problem.

So your saying the fluid is gas? Because it does not look, feel, or smell like gas.
Bike is at the dealers now and they are looking into it.

[fletch696]

I'm curious to see what the dealer tells you.  I have the same mystery fluid stains on my bike.

[duclvr]

Well after one full day at the dealer the leak is Still TBD. I guess this will determine wether I continue to go to
this dealer for service or not.

Oh and I hope my neighbor has 911 on speed dial for when he says "I told you so" about Ducati motorcycles. 

[duclvr]

Ok so I have my bike back, they traced it back to a bad o-ring on a sensor. Part #23 in picture

[be350ka]

Glad they found it!!  Hope it is fixed soon.

[fletch696]

Well that is good to know.  I guess I will be taking my bike to the dealer when spring returns.