Got an oil leak and there is some pink stuff of my bike

[xlewisbdx]

OK so I noticed today I had a slight oil leak coming from the sump plug. No big deal I just need a new crush washer.

EDIT:  Just to point out the oil leak is not from the sump plug it's from higher up. Any suggestions as to what it could be??

What I wanted to know is what is all this pink stuff on my engine? I have only just noticed it when I noticed the oil leak and wanted to know if it had anything to do with the oil leak.


http://i.imgur.com/E2kah.jpg

[His Dudeness]

looks like dried coolant to me so i'd say you have a coolant leak

[caretaker]

i do believe that is fairy dust.

[Dead Eye]

looks like dried coolant to me so i'd say you have a coolant leak

Ditto on this - seems like coolant to me

[xlewisbdx]

Just to point out the oil leak is not from the sump plug it's from higher up. Any suggestions as to what it could be??

[unfazed]

It looks like coolant fron the carbs heater lines
Believe it or not, one time I saw something like that, it was Spider Crap from a fairly large house spider having take up residence under the tank.  :eek  The owner of the bike nearly dropped the tank when the spider ran out.  :rollin The rest of us couldn't be consoled for about 10 minutes.
If it is not coolant it might be Spider crap.
Oil leak might just be from the excess lube from the chain or coolant running down and washing out the excess lube.
Check the coolant level and remove the sprocket cover to take a look insde it.
Feel around under the alternator cover to see if anything is leaking from there

[xlewisbdx]

It looks like coolant fron the carbs heater lines
Believe it or not, one time I saw something like that, it was Spider Crap from a fairly large house spider having take up residence under the tank.  :eek  The owner of the bike nearly dropped the tank when the spider ran out.  :rollin The rest of us couldn't be consoled for about 10 minutes.
If it is not coolant it might be Spider crap.
Oil leak might just be from the excess lube from the chain or coolant running down and washing out the excess lube.
Check the coolant level and remove the sprocket cover to take a look insde it.
Feel around under the alternator cover to see if anything is leaking from there

Recently changed the generator cover and had a good look at the generator so it can't be that. I have just changed the chain and sprockets and havent lube them yet as it came already lubbed (i need to do it I know.) I recently had the carbs off to restricted and the littlest of washing up liquid on the edge to get that back in. I think it is that and the petrol mixing together.

Any other Ideas on the oil leak. looks like it's going to cost me a shit load of money

[unfazed]

Check the pipes feeding the coolant to the carbs, common problem where the pipe or the spring clips are not put back properly. Did you wash the bike since you put the carbs back on. (use WD40 instead of fairy liquid, cause less problems) might be just dried in coolant from the carb removal/refitting.
Why did you change the cover? did you drop it. A problem I came accross a few years ago when a friend dropped his and destroyed the alternator cover was a dislodged crank seal. Cost about £30 to replace it. He also knicked the coolant pipe near the cover.
The only place you can get leaks from the sprocket cover area is, the clutch pushrod seal, the drive shaft seal behing the sprocket, the sump gasket the oil level gauge seal, the sump plug or the seal behing the water pump
Best thing to do is wash/clean the area well and watch where it leaks from.

[darrsi]

Spider crap? Really?  :rolleyes


Seeing as your bike has a habit of bouncing across the ground i'd just start by tightening every pipe, hose, etc, that is associated with coolant.
Use a torch, even in the dark, to look for sticky residue anywhere on the engine where it may be leaking from, and flip the tank up and check around the thermostat housing to make sure everything is tight. Top up the coolant while you're under there and make sure the levels are good in the cap and in the expansion tank.

[unfazed]

Yes spider crap, could not believe it my self still promotes a smile thinking about it.  :rollin
The alternator runs dry on the fazers and the cover does not have a gasket.
Most hoses on the fazer have spring clips, make sure the hoses are located properly and the spring clip is located properly.
Check the leaks at four different stages
Engine stopped when cold
Engine stopped when full temp.
Engine is running at cold
Engine running at full temp.
Last two are because it may be leaking under pressure.
We had a fazer 400 which leaked from a hose when cold and worse when cold with engine running but stopped when hot and a CBR 600 which leaked when hot and engine running, it was a crack in the thermostat housing which expanded when hot. Have aslo come accross damaged hoses which leak at the ends due to internal damaged by heavy handed "mechanics"

[born to be mild]

That leak isnt pink, Id say it was a light charteuse if anything. Are you actually losing coolant looking at the impossible to look at properly expansion tank ?

[xlewisbdx]

Thanks for your help guys it was indeed coolant. I thought I had an oil leak because the coolant was a light brown colour. (i need to change it)


Recently had the carbs of to put the restrictors in and one of the rubbers pipes/tubes had a little hole in all fixed now!

[darrsi]

You do know you can always just behave yourself and ride sensibly without the need for restriction, although i do respect what you're doing!!
Fair play to you, you are doing what a lot of people should do, and addressing your limits for your own safety, which is a brilliant move on your part!
I've no doubt you'll be up and running to full speed within 2 or 3 months and you'll probably want to remove the washers for a bit more oomph.......

[xlewisbdx]

You do know you can always just behave yourself and ride sensibly without the need for restriction, although i do respect what you're doing!!
Fair play to you, you are doing what a lot of people should do, and addressing your limits for your own safety, which is a brilliant move on your part!
I've no doubt you'll be up and running to full speed within 2 or 3 months and you'll probably want to remove the washers for a bit more oomph.......

I had the bike at full power but I come off in the rain at 60mph (caught it on camera) due to my stupidity of hitting the power band and a car pulled out I panicked grabbed a fist full of the front brake and down I went. I thought to myself I need to restrict it. Anyway got all the fairing fixed and dropped the bike(without them on) and me dropping the bike I think was someone telling me to restrict it before the fairing go back on. Anyway I did.

The restriction isn't that bad. Up to about 6k it pulls like it isn't restricted but once you get passed 6k you know it's restricted.

[darrsi]

They are a bit highly strung if you're not used to the power, although rain obviously doesn't help matters.
I had a Honda NTV600 for years before the Fazer and it's a totally different ride altogether, the Honda would never really catch you out at all, although it was a bit heavier due to it being an older bike.
The only way to get real experience is by taking things easy and riding as much as you can, which ain't a bad thing.
Just a shame we've got the cold and dark season back upon us again for the next 4 or 5 months  :'( 

[budgiemurray]

Theres always the extra training way.. Rospa,IAM etc.. I found it made a big difference to my riding ..
Budgie

sent from somewhere beyond the rim.

[unfazed]

Sorry to hear that, but panic braking is the most common reason for beginners especially on the fazers as the brakes are excellent. One thing I always recommend to new riders, is to set the brake lever to minimum span as it gives you a little bit of finger feel movement in a panic situation and  as you gain confidence increase it gradually to a point where you feel most comfortable with it.
Remember rule of thumb for braking is 75% front 25% rear in the dry and 50% front 50% rear in the wet. I know some of the "road racers" will say the front on its own is fine but 40 years of experience agree with rule of thumb above.
When I thought my sons to ride I asked them to ride at 30mph on a straight road near our home and at a given point, try and stop first with the front brake only then with the back brake only and finally with both brakes. The difference amazed them as beginners.
An important thing most new riders do not realise is that the brakes only stop the wheels, it is how you use them that stops the bike.
One other piece of advice is if all else is failing go for the gap it might get bigger.
Glad to hear the you found the problem causing the leak
Good advice there from budgiemurray. Extra training is always good and will never go to waste.
Good Luck