Where is my oil going?

[metallimonster]

So I have on 02 620 and I noticed today that the oil was low. (Barely to the sight glass).  I added a little bit and took off for work.  The oil level is fine now but I know for sure about a 2 weeks ago there was more than enough oil in it.  I can't find any leaks in or around the motor and there are NEVER drips on the floor.  I don't smell oil in the exhaust at any time and never smell burning oil coming off the pipes themselves.  The only thing I can see is that there is a streak of oi coming from the fill plug like it is leaking but I can't imagine that it would be enough to notice in the sight glass.
Anyone got any ideas?  Also, what is the best replacement for my fill plug?

By the way, I am putting an oil cooler on it tonight so once I change the oil and know exactly where the oil level is I will be checking it constantly to make sure there is a consumption/leak problem.

Thanks in advance.

[Howie]

Bet you only put a few ounces in to bring it up to level.  All engines consume some oil. 

[metallimonster]

Yeah, it needed less than a quarter of a quart but I know it was above the marks about 4 or 5 days ago so it just seemed like a rapid amount of consumption.  Once I get this oil cooler on I am going to watch it like a hawk to make sure I am just not crazy.

[ducpainter]

If you use a lot of throttle....

check your airbox.

[metallimonster]

If you use a lot of throttle....

check your airbox.

Really, my airbox?  How would it get up there?

[ducpainter]

Really, my airbox?  How would it get up there?

It's connected through the breather.

Large throttle openings create more crankcase pressure if the rings aren't perfect.

The oil mist is supposed to condense in the tank that is in the system midway, but my 900 when ridden hard will get a coating of oil mist inside the airbox.

It's not really an issue IMO.

Your consumption isn't excessive.

[metallimonster]

I'm going to check that at lunch.  Makes a lot of sense.  Yeah it is probably not excessive plus the cooler operating temps with the cooler might help to.  I am losing some out of the fill plug so I just ordered a billet one from monster parts for 20 bones. 

[printman]

I'm going to check that at lunch.  Makes a lot of sense.  Yeah it is probably not excessive plus the cooler operating temps with the cooler might help to.  I am losing some out of the fill plug so I just ordered a billet one from monster parts for 20 bones. 

It didn't seem like much was lost, by what was evident on the outside when it was leaking thru the sending unit and filler, but the oil level would drop within a couple week period on mine also. By stopping that with the better billet unit, it might slow your loss more than you think.

[metallimonster]

Thanks printman,  I did a very thorough inspection during my oil cooler install and also cleaned all of the engine with brake clean to get all the old oil.   When I got back from my test ride to make sure the install was sound there was already a trail coming out of the fill plug and also I didn't have the filter on tight enough ( if there is such a thing as tight enough on these bikes).  The plastic plug is stripped so I can't wait to get the billet plug on to see if it stops the leakage.

[Hedgehog]

When I got back from my test ride to make sure the install was sound there was already a trail coming out of the fill plug and also I didn't have the filter on tight enough ( if there is such a thing as tight enough on these bikes).  The plastic plug is stripped so I can't wait to get the billet plug on to see if it stops the leakage.

This is confusing.  How did you manage to strip the fill plug?  It's the o-ring on the fill plug that holds the oil in, not the fact that you can (if you want) tighten the fill plug with a vice grip.  Hand tight only, please.

There's also the issue of the filter being tight enough.  How are you tightening it?  With a ratchet or breaker bar?  If that's the case, it's probably over-tightened, and leaking as a result of that.  All you need to do is spin it on until the seal touches, and then hand tighten it (about 3/4 turn) from there.  You should have wetted the o-ring in the filter with oil before putting it on.

[metallimonster]

First off the oil fill plug was stripped when I bought the bike- Plastic threads going into aluminum case does not make since to me.  I understand the o-ring seals it but it IS leaking from the fill plug. So something must be wrong with it.  The threads in the case are fine so it must be the plug.

Second, I am a ASE certified mechanic so I think I can screw on an oil filter the right way.  I lubed the gasket before I put the filter on and hand tightened it and it had a small drip of oil after my test ride, so I turned it a little farther by hand.  I have been told by numerous members here that they have had the same problem and making sure the filter was on tight took care of the drip.  The last time I changed my oil it did the same thing until I tightened it with a strap wrench and then it stopped.  I'm guessing the vibrations of the v-twin cause the filter to come loose.

[BastrdHK]

I had to give my filter the same treatment.....hand tighten....ride.......tighten more.....ride......tighten.....finally put the ratchet on it and it has slowed it down to near nothing after a long ride(slight residue on clean rag), but I am afraid to torque it further.  This amount of loss is manageable for me.

[Howie]

The oil filter is suposed to be torqued to 16-17 nm, depending on manual, which is more than hand tight for most of us.

[J.P.]

+1 w/ HK- ended up ditching the new oem for a K&N to put a socket on it- actually got the leak stopped!(after tweaking it up 5-6 times).
Also oil level seems to fluctuate between rides- by as much as almost the whole sight glass scale on mine. Haven't figured that out, but I kinda leave it on the low end of the scale, only add alittle if it goes below that.