Just did my first oil and filter change on my '07 that I recently bought. I've been seeing a little oil dribble under the front of the engine recently, not big, only about 1"-2" in diameter on my garage floor, but consistent and pretty much every night. So, I was eager to get the left fairing off for the first time and see what's going on.
The bottom of the oil drain bolt was dry, and the filter was dry, but it looked like the rim of the canister (I'm assuming its the charcoal evap canister that's right under the oil filter?) had wet oil on it.
Also, it looked like there were two nipples on the canister to hook a small hose to, but there was only the small hose on the smaller nipple, which lead right to the ground, right beside the coolant overflow hose and another small overflow hose.
The bigger nipple on the canister did not have a hose on it. Should it? Didn't see one loose anywhere. Also, any reason why it might drip oil?
Check the oil cooler lines, they are known to corrode under the coating that honda put on the 6th gen lines. The other common source is the rightside engine cover the ignition pickup lead often leaks a little oil, this would normally only be a drip now & then. Yours sounds more serious, if the oil cooler lines goes, it will dump all the oil very quickly, so get themm checked pronto before it destroys your engine !
Check the oil cooler lines, they are known to corrode under the coating that honda put on the 6th gen lines. The other common source is the rightside engine cover the ignition pickup lead often leaks a little oil, this would normally only be a drip now & then. Yours sounds more serious, if the oil cooler lines goes, it will dump all the oil very quickly, so get themm checked pronto before it destroys your engine !
+1 it leaks where the engine block comes together and right at the right side cover meets the block area ..
I think there may be a simpler answer. Check your oil filter. In spite of doing my own oil changes for years, I've had times where I didn't snug the oil filter up sufficiently to prevent a leak. I know that Purolator Gold filters are highly appreciated on this forum, but the gasket is fairly hard.
Well, after the oil change late last night so far I'm dry. Rode it today to work so I'll check the parking deck on my way home for a new oil spot. It was minor, yet annoying.
2 days of riding, and no leaks yet. Must have been an oil filter than was a bit loose? Though I did have to use a socket wrench to get it off (K&N filter). Speaking of the oil filter, what's with the PITA to put that thing on or take it off with the radiator hoses all over it? There really is no straight shot to easily make contact with the base. Way to go Honda-San, once again!
My Triumph Sprint RS has the oil filter on the bottom of the engine. Nothing to remove, the oil change is the simplest thing I have ever done, mechanics wise. Oil drain and filter, right there. I do not know what possessed Honda to put it where they did. I have read that if you remove the Evap Cannister it simplifies the oil change process by not having to remove the fairing to get at the filter.
Yey if you use the long style filter's but I use Honda's and there easier to remove. After cutting apart ALL of the filter for the VFR i decided the Honda oil filter are hard to beat. If order like 4 or more off of Fleabay there just as cheap .
Yey if you use the long style filter's but I use Honda's and there easier to remove. After cutting apart ALL of the filter for the VFR i decided the Honda oil filter are hard to beat. If order like 4 or more off of Fleabay there just as cheap .
Yep. I'm using Honda's OEM filter as well. Not easy to get in & out.
Confused by the last two posts above. Is the Honda OEM filter shorter and therefore easier to access? I am using an aftermarket filter. It's a bear to change. Much cursing and swearing.
Honda designers apparently did not talk to any actual mechanics when they designed the bike.
I can only talk about the only filter I've used: the Honda OEM one. And it's a PITA to put on and remove. I have not seen any others, but I cannot imagine a filter shorter than the Honda one.
And yes, once again, Honda-San did not allow for larger 'Merican hands or ease of access. I hear the CBR1000R is much much worse (more centralization.)
2 days of riding, and no leaks yet. Must have been an oil filter than was a bit loose? Though I did have to use a socket wrench to get it off (K&N filter)...
Over tightening an oil filter can distort the gasket and cause small leaks just as quick as having the filter too loose. Sounds like yours was overtightened; which can happen with the K&N filters since they have that nice tightening nut on the end. IIRC I think the filter is only supposed to be tightened to like 14 or 18 ft-lbs... somewhere around there.
Yes, always always right behind those red hot headers Honda puts them filters......Plus, they went to their tiniest size filter as the new universal part for all their bikes....I assume smallest filter = less filtering media = dirtier oil in the engine in shorter time....
I am not missing the oil filter location on the 6th gen VFR800. However, as I've shared in the past, there are some simple things you can do to make the filter change less painful. BEFORE WARMING UP THE ENGINE put one of the big socket looking METAL (NOT PLASTIC) oil filter wrenches on a ratchet extension and crack loose the oil filter and lightly tighten it back by hand, and then warm up the engine. Now there is no drama with hot pipes while struggling with a too tight filter. By using the aforementioned type of filter wrench it is possible to remove the filter with the wrench still holding the filter using the ratchet extension as a handle. Yes you will have to wrestle the filter past the radiator hoses, it's a tight fit, especially if you are using a longer filter.
Oil and filter changes on my ST1300 are easier, but still there are issues with covering the exhaust pipes with foil to prevent them from being covered in oil. At least the filter is accessible. Changes on my new CB1000R however are how oil and filter changes should be on all bikes...it just doesn't get any easier than on a naked bike.
P.S. I'm no mechanic, but I've never tightened an oil filter to service manual torque specs. I do it hand tight, then about 1/4 to 1/2 turn with the same filter wrench. Haven't had one leak or hard to remove yet after dozens of oil changes.
Yey if you use the long style filter's but I use Honda's and there easier to remove. After cutting apart ALL of the filter for the VFR i decided the Honda oil filter are hard to beat. If order like 4 or more off of Fleabay there just as cheap .
Yep. I'm using Honda's OEM filter as well. Not easy to get in & out.
Remove left side cover a 3/8" 12" extension on a oil filter socket that fits the Honda oil filter and push the radiator hose 1' to side the filter drops to the header and then remove.
End of thread · 16 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 1 Nov 2013