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Oil Leak from Mystery Hole

guzziben47

guzziben47

Cruisin' Guzzisti
Joined
Jun 5, 2010
Messages
191
I have oil leaking from a hole underneath the bottom fin on the left cylinder head. Anyone know what this hole is for and/or what might cause this leak?
 

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Then it must be something around the corner from that, where the exhaust plugs into the head. Maybe there is a relief hole there that is leaking....
 
One thing I don't understand, if it's the o-ring under the spark plug tube, wouldn't there be oil in the tube? I thought those o-rings just kept the oil out of the spark plug tubes....
 
Turned out to be the oil pipe going into the back of the cylinder head that was leaking. They tightened it up and stopped the leak....
 
I've had two separate Stelvio here at my shop with leaks coming from the cam chain breather tube and even one that the bolt-on cover that the tube goes to had a torn o-ring. Hence why solutions via the internet are largely tough.

Thanks for posting again on it.
 
guzziben47 said:
I have oil leaking from a hole underneath the bottom fin on the left cylinder head. Anyone know what this hole is for and/or what might cause this leak?
Click to expand...

My bike has had a leak from this hole since I bought the bike. I've replaced the plug tube & both 'O' rings & the rocker cover gasket, but it still leaks slightly. It's definately coming from the plug tube area as there's no sign of oil anywhere else around the cylinder. :(

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Ian
 
there are two 3mm holes on each cylinder - one has a Allen key threaded plug between the 8 & 9th cooling fin - this one is for drainaing excess oil off the valve assembly prior to dis-assembling. The upper one between the 5th & 6th fin is open into the valve assembly. Ths portal (hole) is a engine breather and brings in ambent atmosphere air to be sucked into the breather box. Its part of the emissions system and standard on Harleys as well.
Either the 3mm Allen plug is loose or a o-ring on the bolts holding the valve covers in place. You can determine where the oil is coming from by lying on your back, bike on the center stand and shinning a light up between the cooling fins.
Factory oil (10w-60) and pressure build up may be the cause.
Tighten the plug - clean the air and re-check. Try going to a lighter oil and last hope that is not a o-ring or valve cover gasket .
I reset my valves and went to a lower weight oil and then rode 12000km to Mexico and back last winter no leak.
My dealership did the 15000 valve reset using the factory recommended oil and began leaking again - after the o-rings were replaced. Its definitly a pressure problem.
 
pete roper said:
That hole is a blank part of the casting. I don't think it's the source.

Pete
Click to expand...
look at my comments post - its coming from the valve assembly drain plug between the next set of cooling above the area your looking at - you can see two half round dado's in the fin castings. these were machined at the factory in order to drill two 3mm holes. The lower one is a drain, the upper one is open and is a engine breather portal ( emission system)
 
guzziben47 said:
Turned out to be the oil pipe going into the back of the cylinder head that was leaking. They tightened it up and stopped the leak....
Click to expand...

Ben, there are no 'Oil Pipes' going to the back of the head. I think you'll find they are breathers.

Pete
 
guzzyupnorth said:
there are two 3mm holes on each cylinder - one has a Allen key threaded plug between the 8 & 9th cooling fin - this one is for drainaing excess oil off the valve assembly prior to dis-assembling. The upper one between the 5th & 6th fin is open into the valve assembly. Ths portal (hole) is a engine breather and brings in ambent atmosphere air to be sucked into the breather box. Its part of the emissions system and standard on Harleys as well.
Either the 3mm Allen plug is loose or a o-ring on the bolts holding the valve covers in place. You can determine where the oil is coming from by lying on your back, bike on the center stand and shinning a light up between the cooling fins.
Factory oil (10w-60) and pressure build up may be the cause.
Tighten the plug - clean the air and re-check. Try going to a lighter oil and last hope that is not a o-ring or valve cover gasket .
I reset my valves and went to a lower weight oil and then rode 12000km to Mexico and back last winter no leak.
My dealership did the 15000 valve reset using the factory recommended oil and began leaking again - after the o-rings were replaced. Its definitly a pressure problem.
Click to expand...

Sorry. There is an enormous amount of incorrect information in this post.

Pete
 
pete roper said:
guzzyupnorth said:
there are two 3mm holes on each cylinder - one has a Allen key threaded plug between the 8 & 9th cooling fin - this one is for drainaing excess oil off the valve assembly prior to dis-assembling. The upper one between the 5th & 6th fin is open into the valve assembly. Ths portal (hole) is a engine breather and brings in ambent atmosphere air to be sucked into the breather box. Its part of the emissions system and standard on Harleys as well.
Either the 3mm Allen plug is loose or a o-ring on the bolts holding the valve covers in place. You can determine where the oil is coming from by lying on your back, bike on the center stand and shinning a light up between the cooling fins.
Factory oil (10w-60) and pressure build up may be the cause.
Tighten the plug - clean the air and re-check. Try going to a lighter oil and last hope that is not a o-ring or valve cover gasket .
I reset my valves and went to a lower weight oil and then rode 12000km to Mexico and back last winter no leak.
My dealership did the 15000 valve reset using the factory recommended oil and began leaking again - after the o-rings were replaced. Its definitly a pressure problem.
Click to expand...

Sorry. There is an enormous amount of incorrect information in this post.
Click to expand...

Yes Pete you are right - I found out today the hole I was speaking about is a drain for the spark plug well and not a breather as I was told - the oil maybe coming from the oring that surrounds the spark plug well at the valve covers. Sorry for misleading anyone - my bike has been through allot lately we are both stressed and need a vacation.
 
I know this is an old post but just thought I would add my 2 cents. My 13 Stelvio developed a very small leak that would leave a light mist of oil on the left cylinder after about 250 miles..I took it to the dealer since its under warranty and they discovered that it was leaking from the little set screw below the drain hole for the spark plug. That said the sealant the factory had used had cracked and they had cleaned it up and resealed it..I've ridden about 350 miles since the repair was done on Wednesday and no leak yet..
 
Well its been three months and my leak is back only worse this time. Oil is spraying onto exhaust and saddlebags. Looks like its coming from the exact same place as last time. Currently has 5k miles on it. Damn I'm sick of this. I've been to the dealer more times for this bike than my 5 last bikes. Next time another Yamaha.
 
Took the bike to the dealer yesterday and it seems I have a leaking head gasket. If this is the character part of guzzi ownership I read so often about I think I need more of an appliance type bike......Just venting because of frustration with situation, I really love this bike and hope it will stop having issues.
 
Cage Free said:
Took the bike to the dealer yesterday and it seems I have a leaking head gasket. If this is the character part of guzzi ownership I read so often about I think I need more of an appliance type bike......Just venting because of frustration with situation, I really love this bike and hope it will stop having issues.
Click to expand...

As with virtually anything, the dealer can make or break this situation. If they have a good attitude and a reasonable good mechanic, then this will be resolved and will be a memory. On the other hand, if they whine about parts and whine about the odd Italians, it can be an issue that you may feel that you need to bail out.
 
As with any ownership experience the dealer has a large impact on it. If the dealer can't fix something as simple as an oil leak I would suggest a better dealer.
Guzzi's are not perfect. They are not appliances. But when properly set up and cared for they are very reliable motorcycles. My Griso is my go to bike when I need a bike to run. My wifes V11 has been solid and bullet proof for 55K miles.
But Guzzi's do require more commitment than some other brands, and they are not for everyone. But if owning an Italian exotic was easy everybody would do it.
 
GuzziMoto said:
As with any ownership experience the dealer has a large impact on it. If the dealer can't fix something as simple as an oil leak I would suggest a better dealer.
Guzzi's are not perfect. They are not appliances. But when properly set up and cared for they are very reliable motorcycles. My Griso is my go to bike when I need a bike to run. My wifes V11 has been solid and bullet proof for 55K miles.
But Guzzi's do require more commitment than some other brands, and they are not for everyone. But if owning an Italian exotic was easy everybody would do it.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything except the owning an exotic, A guzzi may be different but its far from exotic in my book and that's one of the reasons I bought it, a simple bike overall. I'm sure my bike will be fixed to my liking but just frustrated with having this kind of issue at such few miles.
 
+1 on the dealer - Guzzi (and a lot of other brands, Italian and other) need fast, commited, competent attention - when that breaks down, ownership of anything other than a 100% reliable bike is a pain. On the flip side, I'd say Guzzi ownership is the one to keep with, after early niggles, they are more likely to get better with age.

IMO ...

No, I have no real data to back that up. :oops:

Sorry... :mrgreen:
 
Called dealer today because its been 8 days since they ordered head gasket. According to them there are NO head gaskets for 8v Guzzis in the USA and I must wait for mine to come from Italy, yet I can go to my local Honda dealer and get almost any part needed for my 69 SL90. go figure. No estimate when my gasket will arrive but if the wait is anything like my wait for the recalled suspension part it will be a while..awsome
 
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