I've got an oil leak at my sight window, is this normal?

[Dunk]

Just noticed the past couple of days that there seemed a bit of oil around the outside of the sight window for the engine oil. I've just got in to work and looked again and there's a small amount of oil actually on the outside of the glass. Is this a common thing or should I get it looked at? I only bought it a week ago from a dealer.

Cheers
Dunk

 

[Jim McSharry]

Sounds silly Dunc but have you cleaned it off, ridden it then checked it again? If so, back to dealers mate as you may have a seal blown

 

[Steve]

Is this a common thing or should I get it looked at? I only bought it a week ago from a dealer.

Cheers
Dunk

It's neither normal nor common. Take it back to the dealer. You don't want the sight glass popping out whilst you're on the move - won't take long to dump the oil all over the road and sieze your engine.

 

[richie]

You can buy a new one, puncture the leaking one with a screwdriver and pull it out. Then push in the new one. Sounds easy and it should be, but I have never done it myself (or needed to)

 

[BiG DoM]

Oil sight glass failure is not uncommon - there are some who actually carry a spare! Failure seems to mostly occur when the bike has been very cold and then warmed up quickly... ie quick thermal expansion of the 'glass'. It does tend to collect gunge around it but definately have it checked of weeping.

 

[(RIP) maverick]

You can buy a new one, puncture the leaking one with a screwdriver and pull it out. Then push in the new one. Sounds easy and it should be, but I have never done it myself (or needed to)

I have and it is a piece of piss. Take care not to shatter the plastic into the engine though. Slowly work a screwdriver through the old one popping it out. Clean surface and preferrably lie bike on it's side. Get a fair size socket that will cover the edge of the sight glass rubber and drift it carefully in with a block hammer. Take great care to get it in straight.

Easy 5 minutes work

 

[Dunk]

Cheers guys. I'll give the dealer a ring and let them know.

 

[Gecko]

Yup as the Sarf African bro says it's a 5 minute job. Just break out the existing glass - be careful not to drive it the broken bits into the engine - clean the hole and wipe some oil around the new sight glass housing before driving it back in with a suitable size socket as a driver. It really is easy - even I did it

 

[BiG DoM]

An awl is a good tool to use to get the glass out - unlikely to shatter and makes a neat hole without pushing stuff inside. Once through twist, hook and pull!

 

[Den]

Switch on your cooker. Heat up your sharp tool of choice. Melt your way through the plastic window and prise it oot.
No fragments and its more fun.

 

[BiG DoM]

Switch on your cooker. Heat up your sharp tool of choice. Melt your way through the plastic window and prise it oot.
No fragments and its more fun.

I like that suggestion... I would then suggest a corkscrew for the job... will give good purchase to pull out.

 

[Guzzler]

The 'window' is plastic. When you pierce it, it breaks up in large pieces. Also the metal plate you see with the small holes around the circumference is part of the assembly. It keeps the plastic pieces out of the sump.