Slow oil leak in 2005 900 w/3100 miles

[Jerseyrider]

Guys,

Trying to decide if this is a summer project worth doing or will it be more headaches than its worth.

Got a slow fresh oil leak...and it is irritating me. Over the course of 2-3 weeks the oil in the tank will drop from completely full to where the first connection is and over the next 2 weeks to where the neck and the body of the oil tank leaks. Seems to get slower as the oil goes down. No worse while riding. I have two 2005 900 151's and when my son and I ride together, at the end of the day (when the gas is gone) we have used the same amount of oil.

Can not find the leak in any visible place. Have tightened all the hose connections I can see.

So my question is do I need to take the entire engine out to see all the connections or can I just remove the cylinders? I thought I remember looking at a 151 with a blown engine that had a cylinder removed and I could follow the fresh oil connections to the engine...or was that just wishful thinking. If I need to remove the entire engine is it worth it or should I just let the slow leak irritate me

Thanks

 

[Z-Man]

is there a puddle of oil under the sled after it sits? If not when you first start after it has set does it smoke quite a bit?

 

[Jerseyrider]

I know it leaks so I put a catch pan under it when parked and the oil drips into the catch pan. Does not smoke when first started.

 

[Z-Man]

I don't think removing the cylinders is necessary. I would try to take a flashlight and look closely at the hose coming from the oil tank to make sure it has not rubbed through and I would try to look at your oil pump. Most likely you have a leaking seal on the pump itself.

If you pull your exhaust Y-pipe and your throttle bodies you will be able to take a better look at the hoses and oil pump. This would be a good time to check your intake boots and replace them if there is any cracking too.

 

[Jerseyrider]

Will start this weekend. Will keep you posted

Thanks

 

[Super Dave3]

I would bet that the o-ring that seals the oil pump to the case is the problem. I have seen this many times.

 

[dmj1]

leak

a GOOD PLACE TO CHECK IS THE BRASS FITTING
THAT GOES IN THE CRANK CASE FROM THE LINE OFF THE OIL TANK.
I HAD A SLOW LEAK THERE ONCE . TO MUCH PLAY BETWEEN THE BRASS AND THE CASE. i TOOK IT OUT CLEANED THE BRASS AND THE CASE PUT BACK IN WITH EPOXY STEAL AND HAS BEEN FINE SINCE .

 

[Jerseyrider]

I tightened the hose clamp but did not try the brass fitting. However I do not see any oil around it but worth a check as I will be working in that area of the engine.

Keep the ideas coming.

 

[05900]

There is also a line that runs to close to primary clutch around cylynder, it can rub
Oil jug at seem vibrates (of course) and becomes "pourous" ???

 

[Jerseyrider]

I think I know the line you are talking about but don't I have to remove the cylinder/engine to completely see that line?

One other thing I forgot to mention in my original post was that I pressurized the oil tank (used a compressor) and the oil leak did not get worse. I thought if I pressurized the oil system the leak would get worse and I might be able to see it. No such luck.

Thanks

 

[Z-Man]

I covered that line with a protective cover all the way to the bottle. From the factory on part of it was covered and it rubbed on the bulkhead. The line around the side of the engine is also supposed to have a plastic clip that holds it in place but I think a lot of the 900's are missing this.

 

[Z-Man]

I think I know the line you are talking about but don't I have to remove the cylinder/engine to completely see that line?

One other thing I forgot to mention in my original post was that I pressurized the oil tank (used a compressor) and the oil leak did not get worse. I thought if I pressurized the oil system the leak would get worse and I might be able to see it. No such luck.

Thanks

Was the tank full when you did this or was the level below the hose that comes out half way up the tank. If it was above that level then most likely it is the o-ring seal between the pump and the engine.

 

[Jerseyrider]

Z-man: how did you get to the entire line without removing the cylinders? I can not find an easy way to get to the "back" of the line. The end closet to the bottle.

The oil was topped off in the tank. So I guess I start with the seal around the oil pump.

 

[guidoxpress]

am i reading this right?

while sitting/riding the oil level will slowly decrease until it gets to the hose off the side of the oil bottle? but nothing is dripping in the bulkhead or on the shop floor??

there is 3 things it would be IMO...from WORST case to easy fix..

1. the center crank bearing SEALS...if they go bad, it will suck the oil from the oil bottle until it gets to the line off the bottle, then stop...that hose is the ONLY thing that supplies oil to the center crank bearings

--you will have to pull motor and replace these seals...

2. brass fitting that connects to that hose...

--correct as stated above

3. bad o-ring on oil pump..this happened to mine..but i had oil dripping off bottom of pump into bulkhead/on floor

--remove parts to get to oil pump, remove pump, replace o-ring and re-install it all.

if it were me...i would pull the motor this summer anyways...check for all wiring for damaged, motor mounts, ect...and then check/repair the brass fitting/oil pump o-ring for issues...if nothing found...plan on getting crank seals replaced.

its worth the work IMO...but im a 900 junky...so not a big deal...

good luck

 

[Z-Man]

am i reading this right?

while sitting/riding the oil level will slowly decrease until it gets to the hose off the side of the oil bottle? but nothing is dripping in the bulkhead or on the shop floor??

there is 3 things it would be IMO...from WORST case to easy fix..

1. the center crank bearing SEALS...if they go bad, it will suck the oil from the oil bottle until it gets to the line off the bottle, then stop...that hose is the ONLY thing that supplies oil to the center crank bearings

--you will have to pull motor and replace these seals...

2. brass fitting that connects to that hose...

--correct as stated above

3. bad o-ring on oil pump..this happened to mine..but i had oil dripping off bottom of pump into bulkhead/on floor

--remove parts to get to oil pump, remove pump, replace o-ring and re-install it all.

if it were me...i would pull the motor this summer anyways...check for all wiring for damaged, motor mounts, ect...and then check/repair the brass fitting/oil pump o-ring for issues...if nothing found...plan on getting crank seals replaced.

its worth the work IMO...but im a 900 junky...so not a big deal...

good luck

Nope, he said it keeps dropping and he had to put a pan under it so probably the seal on the pump.

 

[Z-Man]

Z-man: how did you get to the entire line without removing the cylinders? I can not find an easy way to get to the "back" of the line. The end closet to the bottle.

The oil was topped off in the tank. So I guess I start with the seal around the oil pump.

If you remove the aluminum frame plate off the clutch side you can get better access. You might still have to pull both rear motor mount bolts, the bottom bolts on the front cross-member and loosen the top ones on the front cross-member so you can tip the engine forward. You will still have to pull the Y-pipe and throttle bodies to tip it forward, but you will have to do this anyway to get to the pump.

 

[Jerseyrider]

Guidoexpress -- Definitely dripping out the bottom. As Z-man said I put a catch pan so the oil does not hit the floor. Except when my son decides to move the pan to empty it but does not replace it...like today so I do have oil on the floor.

Zman -- thanks for the advice on the hose.

Not a 900 nut yet but think I might have to become one. Bought three this year and closing in on a fourth. Love the torque on the 900. Converting one for trail riding for my 13 year old son. Reduced skid/track size to 144, 1.3 camoblast track, 2007 Dragon spindles with wider Assault a-arms and Walker Evans air piggy shocks and snostuff rumble pack (becasue he liked the sound). We live in MN and are transplants from NJ.

My 13 year old loves riding. Only been doing it for a year. I'm going to have him come ride with you guys one day...I am geting too old for this. I know I am in trouble when I ride with him if he stands up. When sitting he is a "normal rider". But the minute he stands up and pushes the handle bar forward...he is getting ready to go someplace he is not supposed to be at a speed he is not supposed to be at...to be young again

Gonna start on the oil pump tomorrow.

 

[diamonddave]

I would bet that the o-ring that seals the oil pump to the case is the problem. I have seen this many times.

I have seen this a couple of times also. There is a very thin o'ring that sits behind the oil pump. When I've seen them leak, the o'ring was a little shredded.

There is also the possibility that the (2) 8mm bolts that retain the the oil pump to the case are leaking. The upper one especially goes directly into the case. The bolts have red thread sealant from the factory.

The fix was reinstalling the 2 bolts with red loctite, and a little dab of loctite to help the o'ring seal.

 

[Jerseyrider]

Ok guys. Got it apart...and guess what NO "O" ring at all. Just a gasket. Anyone know the size of the ring? None of the dealers (5 of them) in my area have it so I can order it or get one from the hardware store if someone knows the size.

Thanks

 

[Z-Man]

not sure but here is a link to a parts diagram with a number.

http://www.polarispartspitstop.com/...P_-_S05PL8//PM8//PN8//ALL_OPTIONS/51001/51042