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Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: 2bikebill on April 03, 2010, 08:00:44 pm

Title: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: 2bikebill on April 03, 2010, 08:00:44 pm
Got back from my ride and was just looking the bike over and spotted a couple of oil drops on the garage floor. Closer inspection showed the oil level on min, and general oiliness underneath, and all over the back of the centre stand and along the top of the right swing arm (think that's what it's called). No obvious drips from anywhere, and no sign of any drips where the bike's been standing. I've only done 120 miles from new, and the oil level was at max to start. I was kind of hoping these new engines were free of the old brit bike oil problem.....
It's under warranty of course, but I'm crestfallen nonetheless.
Anyone else having or had this problem?
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: Ice on April 03, 2010, 08:36:23 pm
Br. Wilw  
 
By all means do have the dealer get a good look at your new steed but don't loose hart just yet.
 
 The crank case breathing system on the AVL and late Iron Barrels is vented from the oil tank and timing chest sections of the crank case.
 
 The Earlier Iron Barrels were vented high up on the on the left  side of the crank case just below the cylinder.

 Due to the revised venting its much easier for these later engines to expel oil and oil vapor until the rings seat.

 Even when fully run in some engines when filled to the full mark still expel oil until the level is where that particular engine wants it ( no two are alike )

Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: 2bikebill on April 03, 2010, 10:26:05 pm
Hmmmm... Seems an awful lot of oil to lose so fast. This is the last twenty or so miles. No oil on surfaces or drop in level for the first hundred. Can't see where it's coming out of but the drain plug doesn't seem like the culprit judging by the spread. Not blowing out the exhasut either I don't think.
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: singhg5 on April 04, 2010, 04:36:02 am
These new bikes are very well designed and made as compared to older models that leaked oil no matter what you did.  The drop in oil level from Max to Min on the window is relatively small, approximately 250 ml.  Add more oil to bring the level to Max.  Use same oil that the dealer had added to your bike.  RE Manual suggests Motul 15W-50 semi-synthetic motorcycle oil.  

Wipe off all the oily surfaces underneath. And check that the Oil Drain plug is tight (I think you did not see anything there).  Check Suction Screen plate is tight - it is on the right side underneath - a diamond shaped plate across from the drain plug.  Here is a link to the pictures -

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,5148.0.html

Finally check the Primary Chain Tensioner assembly nuts are tight. It is on the left hand side of engine, almost at level with gear shifter lever.

Ride the bike and see if the oil level remains the same or falls or if there is a leak. How and when you 'measure' oil level, after riding the bike and putting on the centre stand,  may give different levels.
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: 2bikebill on April 04, 2010, 09:58:58 am
Thanks for the detailed input guys, and for the link to the oil change thread - now saved for future ref.
It was getting dark when I got back and noticed the oil level drop, but I'd planned a thorough inspection this morning. Thanks for the step-by-step notes Singh.
I'll report back with what I find....
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: 2bikebill on April 04, 2010, 12:52:33 pm
Seems to be coming from the back of the engine, right hand side, where the kickstart shaft goes in. I can see a bit of gasket hanging down and flapping about in there. Haven't worked out how to post a picture here, but I've put a fairly clear photo here:
www.monkeyselbow.co.uk (http://www.monkeyselbow.co.uk)
I noticed oil pooling where the rear brake pedal meets its stop, and there was a patch on the ground under the lowest part of the chain at rest. A lot of spattering on the rear wheel rim and spokes, presumably from the chain, but didn't occur for first 100 miles.


Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: r80rt on April 04, 2010, 01:15:11 pm
That gasket does look suspicious to me.
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: 2bikebill on April 04, 2010, 06:44:55 pm
I take your point, Singh, about variable oil level readings according to where the bike is put on centre stand - very small variations in ground level make a significant difference to what shows in the oil level window. I cleaned up the bike and went for a ride, and the problem doesn't seem to have repeated. Oil level the same and no oil showing on any surfaces. I'm delighted of course, but how bizarre. Perhaps I'm just a long way out of touch with the idiosyncracies of motorcycles - it is alive after all, I'm beginning to realise..... Ice - you tried to tell me....
But that hanging bit of gasket is bothering me. Perhaps they just used a gasket designed for a slightly different shaped part? I'd be obliged if some kind soul could have a look under their bike and tell me if they've got the same  -  you have to look up under where the kickstart shaft goes.
(I'm trusting I'll become less obsessional as I bond with my bike)   :-\
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: singhg5 on April 04, 2010, 09:41:11 pm
I take your point, Singh, about variable oil level readings according to where the bike is put on centre stand - very small variations in ground level make a significant difference to what shows in the oil level window. I cleaned up the bike and went for a ride, and the problem doesn't seem to have repeated. Oil level the same and no oil showing on any surfaces. I'm delighted of course....   

But that hanging bit of gasket is bothering me.     ........

Will:

Yes, the gasket is bothersome. It appears to be the gasket for breather chamber cover plate.  Since breather chamber gets only a bit of oil here and there, so that might explain why you did not lose all the oil and only a small volume was lost.  Secondly, when you ran the bike just now, there may not be too much oil splashing into the breather chamber so you do not see much change in oil level in the window.

As long as there is enough oil in the window, the bike is rideable.  BUT it needs a visit to the dealer to reposition the gasket. 

I am taking some pictures of my bike and will post them here for you to review.
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: singhg5 on April 04, 2010, 10:36:43 pm
Here are the pictures -.

The FIRST picture is WillW's motorcycle, he had posted on 'monkeyselbow.co.uk' site.

The SECOND picture is my G5.


Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: singhg5 on April 04, 2010, 10:52:24 pm
WillW, You had mentioned that you don't know how to attach pictures - Here is what I do - 

Click on Additional Options...,     on the left side, just below the white box where you type your text.

It will expand into another option of Attach ___________________ Browse...

Click on 'Browse'...   that will open a new window of folders and files in your computer and you can select one you need.

If you want to attach more than one picture, click on (more attachments) and a second 'Browse' space will open up.  There is only a limited space about 3 to 4 pictures only per post, unless you adjust your camera to take pictures of fewer pixels.  
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: 2bikebill on April 04, 2010, 11:07:02 pm
Thank you Singh for taking the trouble to take a picture - and explaining how to post pics here.
I have another 150 miles before the first service is due, but perhaps I'll take the bike in early to get that gasket fixed and restore peace of mind.
All the best,
Will
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: billy2sheds on April 05, 2010, 12:10:34 pm
hi willw i have just had a look at my efi,and yes there is a bit of gasket hanging down ,only mine is hanging loose about four inches long,i have had no oil loss.i am due a service very soon so that will go on my list of issues ie oil leak between barrel and head,plus engine dies at tickover now and again. regards bill
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: 2bikebill on April 05, 2010, 04:45:13 pm
Hey Bill,  now that's interesting. I guess our bikes came from the same batch huh?
Now either they used a bunch of gaskets which were not quite right but which would do the job ok, or the gasket blows out under some kind of pressure, or the same slacker who assembled my bike also assembled yours.....
The fact that you haven't lost any oil from it, and that I only lost oil on one occasion, leads me to make a connection I didn't make previously. The ride when I lost the oil was the same ride as when I dropped the bike onto its right side. I was stationary and lost balance and the bike wound up resting on the brake pedal I guess - not so far that I couldn't haul it back up with a bit of brute force and cussing, but far enough maybe to allow oil to get into that part of the engine - the breather chamber apparently. This is the only thing I can think of to explain the oil leak only happening once. At least it led to the discovery of the dodgy gasket
Mine too gets a little lumpy ticking over sometimes, but nothing bothersome. Let me know what the service guy says about the gasket  - I'm probably going to wait until I've done the three hundred miles before I take mine in.
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: billy2sheds on April 05, 2010, 07:39:41 pm
300 miles for first service,my guy said its 500 ,although i don't have a user manual yet guy said he can't find it.anyway while on my hands and knees looking at the gasket there was a little oil stain below the kickstart spindle just a little oil that has dried on the casing,so as you say maybe oil has got somwhere it shoudn't have.i will keep you informed about mine .regarding the lack of user manual my bike was preowned i bought it with 285 miles on the clock 11 months old.  regards bill
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: 2bikebill on April 05, 2010, 07:56:35 pm
Owner's manual says 500km for first service, about 310 miles. That's also what the dealer said. Running in, up to half throttle and 50-60 kmh for first 500km, then up to threequarter throttle and 70-80 kmh until 1000km.
After that, let her roar!
Cheers,
Will
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: Marrtyn on April 06, 2010, 06:01:01 pm
There are identical 2 oil seals on this kick start shaft (pt. No. 570241)

If you do a search for "parts list for E5/G5" ( on this site), you should find a pdf doc thats very handy. When you have found it -save it as a "favorite". Comes in very usefull for occasions such as this!
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: 2bikebill on April 06, 2010, 07:09:14 pm
Nice one Martyn  -  Thanks.
I put another 75 miles on the clock today - I'll be in for first service in a day or two if the weather holds.....
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: clubman on April 06, 2010, 07:20:54 pm
Brilliant. I missed that first time round. Thanks Marrtyn!
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: SSR on April 19, 2010, 07:07:22 pm
@WilllW- There is no need to worry about the hanging gasket. Its on all the bikes and on some where you cant see it because its either torn off or glued nicely on the Rh side chamber(its the extra bit of gasket which actually has no use). The gasket was designed to cover the whole face of the RH side chamber but some portion of the chamber at the rear does not joins the center chamber due to the excess needed for the chain. So instead of designing a gasket which joins only the required facing of the chambers, it was designed for the complete RH side chamber.
Title: Re: New Electra losing oil.
Post by: 2bikebill on April 19, 2010, 08:12:45 pm
Thanks for the reassurance SSR. I'd come to the same conclusion regarding this gasket - see my earlier post, "hanging gasket update" - so all's well and no more anxiety. I'd probably never have noticed it at all except I was looking for the source of an oil drip after an early ride. It only happened the once, I'm pretty sure because the bike went over about 45 degrees or more when I lost balance after a sudden stop at a junction. I guess oil got into where it doesn't usually get! Just a bit of chain gunk under there now so no worries.
Cheers,
Will