Oil leaking near belt tensioner?

[skurvy]

I searched but didn't find any relevant threads.

I started noticing some oil residue underneath the lower belt cover pooling up in one of the engine case "fins". Not so much where anything would drip under the bike probably the amount of a drop of oil. i kept cleaning the engine looking for any trace and couldn't find anything. I did an oil change over the weekend and popped off the belt covers.



I cleaned the area off a little but it's the bolt under the vertical belt tensioner right above the inner belt roller. I tried to loosen and tighten it, it wouldn't budge. Couldn't really find anything in the workshop manual on it either.

Does this just hold the engine case together? Should i drain the oil before loosening the bolt? Try a washer? Silicone gasket stuff? I can't see any cracks near it. My guess is that under pressure oil is getting past the threads.

'06 S2R/24k miles

[ducpainter]

I'd sooner think it was the seal on the shaft for the cam belt drive pulley.

[BK_856er]

Look something like this?

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=9795.msg215141#msg215141

BK

[abby normal]

i had the same thing on a 2004 S4R.  did a little thinking and concluded that positive case
pressure was pushing oil out the cam drive seal.  purchased a machined oil fill cap, made sure
the o-ring was lubed and cranked it in ... no more leak.  when the case is sealed, the motion of
the pistons creates a mean negavite pressure which tends to prevent / limit oil seaping.

[Speeddog]

I'd sooner think it was the seal on the shaft for the cam belt drive pulley.

+1

[mtn_mnztr]

I had a leak at the cam pulley just like this.  Noticed a small amount of oil coming out of the belt cover but didn't think much of it.  The amount stayed about the same over another half dozen short rides.  I knew I'd have to do something about it, I just didn't think it had to happen right away.

I was wrong.

One day I'd ridden about 50 miles then stopped for gas.  Oil was DRIPPING out of the belt cover.  On the way home I had to take it easy because enough oil was coming out that it was dripping ON THE TIRE because of windblast.

When that seal finally gives up it isn't pretty.

[skurvy]

Thanks for everyone's info. I'll read up on how hard it is to do the fix and keep a close eye on the oil. Weird thing is it doesn't happen every time I ride. As far as the seal, is it a matter of keeping everything lined up, taking off the bolt with the special tool and replacing the seal? I can't seem to figure out if there is an inner and outer seal.... I guess i shouldn't ride until i get it fixed 

[greenmonster]

Having same problem on my -97.
This seems like a good plan:
http://uwf.edu/ssnyder/DT/pulleyseal.doc