camonett 
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« on: March 21, 2010, 09:09:31 AM » |
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Hello Nighthawkers,
My 2001 750 (22,000 miles) started a very small oil drip from the counter shaft seal after switching to Mobil 1 10w40 motorcycle synthetic. From reading a lot about oil it seems that when switching from conventional oil to synthetic oil in an older engine, there may be some removal of some "sludge" or deposits due to the high detergent cleaning power of the synthetic oil. Removal of some sludge around seals may start a bit of leaking. BUT, the modern synthetic oils have seal conditioning elements in the oil that should help the seals seal back up.
Have any of you guys run into this after switching to full synthetic oil? Did it stop leaking later on? I am going to run it a while and see what happens.
Thanks!
Carl
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cmyers
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« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2010, 09:29:45 AM » |
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I ran into the same issue with my 95 750 when I switched over. I first switched to a synthetic blend and now to a full synthetic. Both times I experienced an increase in oil leaks around my valve cover which eventually decreased. It has never gone away completely, but for the advantages of using synth oil it it's well worth the added cleaning occasionally.
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95-NH750/RED
93-NH750/BLUE/Totaled
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skippyf15
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« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2010, 02:07:22 PM » |
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I have an 83 650 that I run Moble 1 full synthetic in and I haven't seen any leaks. Is this a common issue?
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lew750
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« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2010, 02:37:46 PM » |
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I use synthetics (including Mobile-1) in my '95 Nighthawk 750 and haven't had any problems.
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Lew
1995 Nighthawk 750
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cmyers
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« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2010, 04:15:41 PM » |
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Skip synthetic oils will remove the build up from dino oils, whne they do this it can re-open small leaks that already existed but had been previuosly clogged by the dino oil. In the long run the synthetic oils will actually help renew the seals and will slowly fill in the leaking points. All this assumes that it is only a minor leak, such as weeping oil from a valve cover gasket.
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camonett
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« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2010, 07:59:57 AM » |
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It looks like the slight oil leak (few drops after a ride) has stopped. Maybe the seal conditioners in the Mobil 1 are doing their job.
Carl
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Rusty B
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« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2010, 09:55:43 PM » |
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I haven't used Synthetic oil in my Hawk yet. I put it in my wife's Dodge Caravan, that has just over 100,000 miles. It developed minor oil leaks that it had not had. I ran it for two oil changes, then switched back to regular oil. The leaks have stopped. I think I will try a synthetic blend next oil change on the hawk. Rusty  |
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napalmm
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« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2010, 02:17:30 PM » |
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I am running Rotella Synthetic oil. I noticed a very slight film coming from one of the valve covers, but it wasn't even enough to form a drop. It seems to have stopped now that I have ridden it for awhile.
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cjbear11
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« Reply #8 on: April 22, 2010, 04:00:28 PM » |
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I have an 83 650 that I run Moble 1 full synthetic in and I haven't seen any leaks. Is this a common issue?
Ditto. I just started running this oil tho. I'll keep my eyes open for any leaks. |
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9c1
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« Reply #9 on: January 02, 2012, 09:23:44 AM » |
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Just switched to synthetic mobil 1 this summer, and toward the end of the summer I see a film of oil on the fins on the engine block. The head of the engine is dry. This bike has been bulletproof, so I'm getting a little concerned about this. Could it be the Mobil 1? Would switching back to dino make a difference now?
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cmyers
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« Reply #10 on: January 02, 2012, 09:51:47 AM » |
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Just switched to synthetic mobil 1 this summer, and toward the end of the summer I see a film of oil on the fins on the engine block. The head of the engine is dry. This bike has been bulletproof, so I'm getting a little concerned about this. Could it be the Mobil 1? Would switching back to dino make a difference now?
Nothing to be concerned over, really. Most likely your valve cover gasket is weeping a little. Check the front half-moon on the side that is leaking. |
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9c1
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« Reply #11 on: January 02, 2012, 10:24:39 AM » |
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It's actually showing the film on both sides, but more toward the front, as well as the front. I'll try to get a pic or two posted here later.
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Stitch919
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« Reply #12 on: January 02, 2012, 11:25:34 AM » |
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so this leaking is this with any synthetic oil or just certain brands? cause i have been thinking of running like a honda synthetic oil in mine. im quite picky about things like that :p when i had my 2 dirt bikes(yamahas) i only ran yamalube synthetic but never saw anything like this leaking that people seem to be experiencing.
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RobbieAG
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« Reply #13 on: January 02, 2012, 02:23:09 PM » |
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I started running Mobil 1 synthetic in one of my cars and it started leaking (a little). I'm going to give it one more oil change and see if it continues. If so, I'll switch to something else.
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Bad Boy
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« Reply #14 on: January 02, 2012, 04:32:40 PM » |
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What I have heard from a mechanic is that synthetic is slipperier than conventional oil so not recommended on an older engine where if there are leaks it will leak more or if it is burning oil it will burn more.
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9c1
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« Reply #15 on: January 02, 2012, 06:18:12 PM » |
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/44585986@N02/6624364805/Seeing if this link to the pic works. Aside from synthetic oil now, I did run the bike in 30-40 degree weather and I'm not sure if the combination of cold temps and synthetic oil contributed to the apparent leaks or not. I may wash this engine off in the spring and keep an eye on it. The bike only has 32k on it and I've never noticed any leak of any kind before!
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