08 Busa Leaking oil with just 11k mies

[bigjack7679]

So I notice a couple weeks ago there was a wet spot under where i park my bike. It was after i filled the gas tank up so i figured i over filled it with gas. 2 weeks later and the spot is bigger. I look under the bike and see there are small amounts of oil on the header pipe before the cadillac converter that is right below the oil filter. These was also oil on various areas under the oil filter and on the drain plug. I checked the drain plug and it was tight.

I had the oil and oil filter changed 2,000 miles ago at 9k miles. I gave the dealer a 4qt jug of amsoil and an amsoil oil filter. The bike had no oil leaks or any issues what so ever. 2k miles later and its leaking. The sight glass has went from being completely full to the half way point now. I'm thinking the filter was not put on tight enough and has backed out some. I tried to fit my fat hand in there to give it a turn but no luck there.

I'm take it to the dealer for them to check it over tuesday. I'm hoping its nothing serious and it is as simple as the filter but i will be super pissed if that is the case..

I'm having a hard time believing it can be any thing else with my easy driving habits and low mileage. Is there anything else that can be leaking in that area? I know i dont have pics to help out. Hope my description is good

Thanks!!!

[GoldenChild]

reach up tighten filter, wipe off oil and save money. look for leaks over next few days..just had same issue on a bike....

[jphilipson]

reach up tighten filter, wipe off oil and save money. look for leaks over next few days..just had same issue on a bike....

+1 - based on your description of where the oil is, just sounds like a loose filter seal.

[Blanca Busa]

Sounds to me like the filter may have never been tight enough to begin with or over tightened and gasket is compromised. The spot on your driveway may just be from some oil that got onto headers when they changed your oil to begin with. If the tech was lazy and didn't cover them before or wipe them off later it's possible some oil could have stayed there for a short ride home. Then you park it and only a few drops can seep into concrete and make it look like a lot.
My concern though is you say window was full but now it's only half way full. If you are gonna take it to the dealer and plan on riding it there make sure you have enough oil in it to begin with. Don't want to create another problem getting it there low on oil. Have you taken fairing off and inspected it with a light to see if you can see if bottom of filter is wet with seeping oil? Do you have aftermarket exhaust on that maybe made it difficult to get filter out causing them to bump oil cooler line or remove it?

Too much info here and it's too easy to do. You shouldn't be paying a dealer to change your oil.
This is why.

[bigjack7679]

I just was able to jack her up and look closely with a light. I can see oil at the very bottom of the filter. Started her up and confirmed that where its coming from. I could turned it a little bit with my fingers but not all the way. The sight glass is a little over half. I guess i was so Frustrated that i looked at it wrong the first time

The dealer is 1 mile max away from my house. I have to take it back to let them know how unacceptable this is. I will let them take the fairing off and do it right this time for it will be there last time. I watched your video Blanca on how to take off the fairing and was going to change the oil myself but i got a $50 buck gift card for referring a member from the org to buy a bike from them so i used it on the oil change

They have great customer services on the sells end but this mistake on the shop side is one that could have been catastrophic.

Thanks Golden child, JPhil and Blanca for your help

[Blanca Busa]

Good news. I'd fix it right myself and take pics of it before like that with the oil but I don't think I'd let them fix their own F up. Tell them it's lost who knows how much oil and you want another jug of amsoil.

[dadofthree]

That's crazy and why I do it myself. I've done eight oil changes on the '08 and have a small leak from the drain, next change it gets a new crush washer.

[Blanca Busa]

That's crazy and why I do it myself. I've done eight oil changes on the '08 and have a small leak from the drain, next change it gets a new crush washer.

Only 8 oil changes in over 55,000 posts? I think the maximum should be 5,000.

[bigjack7679]

Only 8 oil changes in over 55,000 posts? I think the maximum should be 5,000.

LMAO. This is true

[bigjack7679]

Good news. I'd fix it right myself and take pics of it before like that with the oil but I don't think I'd let them fix their own F up. Tell them it's lost who knows how much oil and you want another jug of amsoil.

I will have a good story to tell when i go there.

That's crazy and why I do it myself. I've done eight oil changes on the '08 and have a small leak from the drain, next change it gets a new crush washer.

Will do it my self from now on

[E Zurcher]

Read this post and it infuriated me. A bike is not like a car and an oil leak from an improperly tightened oil filter could have caused a serious crash. If you could turn it with your fingers they didn't follow their own technical guidance which states to seat the filter then give it 2 full turns! Sounds like they just spun it on by hand. I would raise hell with that dealer and write a formal letter to Suzuki about the shoddy maintenance performed by one of their authorized service shops.

[beachz]

Yep, the tech manual specifically states not to hand tighten the filter and specifies a torque value. I don't recall off the top of my head what it is but the first oil change on my bike was the first time I ever used a torque wrench on a filter.

Crush washer leaks aren't all that uncommon either. If I don't change them on the BMW, they will leak.

[Big E]

Also make sure and check always when removing an oil filter that the old filter gasket doesnt get stuck onto the bike.

[Trout]

Here's my theory on what happened...

I've been changing oil since 1976, professionally for 8 years back in the day.

The Suzuki motorcycle filter instructions are the first time I've seen a spec that said to turn it 2 full turns after the gasket makes contact. On virtually everything else, the procedure is to turn the filter 3/4 to 1 turn after contact. The Suzuki filter has fine threads, which explains why you have to turn it more.

I bet the mechanic turned it one turn after contact.

Is the dealer you went to an exclusive Suzuki dealer? Or do they service Honda, Yama, Kawa's also? The spec for the Honda, Yama, Kawa filter is 3/4 to 1 turn, just like on 99.9% of engines.

[E Zurcher]

Here's my theory on what happened...

I've been changing oil since 1976, professionally for 8 years back in the day.

The Suzuki motorcycle filter instructions are the first time I've seen a spec that said to turn it 2 full turns after the gasket makes contact. On virtually everything else, the procedure is to turn the filter 3/4 to 1 turn after contact. The Suzuki filter has fine threads, which explains why you have to turn it more.

I bet the mechanic turned it one turn after contact.

Is the dealer you went to an exclusive Suzuki dealer? Or do they service Honda, Yama, Kawa's also? The spec for the Honda, Yama, Kawa filter is 3/4 to 1 turn, just like on 99.9% of engines.

Exclusive or otherwise, they should be knowledgeable on all bikes they service and follow their technical manuals or be held liable. That may be the Ex Nuclear Weapons Maintainer in me talking though.

[Trout]

Exclusive or otherwise, they should be knowledgeable on all bikes they service and follow their technical manuals or be held liable. That may be the Ex Nuclear Weapons Maintainer in me talking though.

No disagreement here!

I just know for a fact that the guy changing oil and installing batteries is not the guy that just got back from the factory technical training center.

This is the main reason that I do my own stuff. The guy making $8 an hour is casually learning his trade on my equipment. Not.

[bigjack7679]

Here's my theory on what happened...

I've been changing oil since 1976, professionally for 8 years back in the day.

The Suzuki motorcycle filter instructions are the first time I've seen a spec that said to turn it 2 full turns after the gasket makes contact. On virtually everything else, the procedure is to turn the filter 3/4 to 1 turn after contact. The Suzuki filter has fine threads, which explains why you have to turn it more.

I bet the mechanic turned it one turn after contact.

Is the dealer you went to an exclusive Suzuki dealer? Or do they service Honda, Yama, Kawa's also? The spec for the Honda, Yama, Kawa filter is 3/4 to 1 turn, just like on 99.9% of engines.

Its an Yamaha/Can AM dealer ship. I brought the bike used from there with 7500 miles on the clock. They inherited 2 busa from a sister store that went out of business from what i was told.

[TreyYoung]

Here's my theory on what happened...

I've been changing oil since 1976, professionally for 8 years back in the day.

The Suzuki motorcycle filter instructions are the first time I've seen a spec that said to turn it 2 full turns after the gasket makes contact. On virtually everything else, the procedure is to turn the filter 3/4 to 1 turn after contact. The Suzuki filter has fine threads, which explains why you have to turn it more.

I bet the mechanic turned it one turn after contact.

Is the dealer you went to an exclusive Suzuki dealer? Or do they service Honda, Yama, Kawa's also? The spec for the Honda, Yama, Kawa filter is 3/4 to 1 turn, just like on 99.9% of engines.

I hear ya. I had a tough time going the full 2 turns (born and raised with the 3/4 turn filters), I end up just under 2 turns. I have done 4 changes and it still bothers me to make that extra turn.

[Trout]

Its an Yamaha/Can AM dealer ship.

it still bothers me to make that extra turn.

It must have bothered that Yamaha mechanic too

[GIXERHP]

Do it your self next time!

So maybe a loose filter,
Maybe the mechanic removed the oil line and the O-ring is leaking!
Take it back to the dealer and raise the roof!

Or back to my first comment!