[Woodi23]

Been reading on here about people saying running synthetic has caused a leek? Is this common? I run fulsyn ams oil... Share your thoughts.

 

[jontow]

This was explained long ago, and I'll reiterate what I remember, because I went through it, myself.



Running full synthetic oil doesn't *cause* leaks, it exposes them. The oil will more readily dissolve gunk, grime, and sludge left behind by the conventionals. If you replace all of your gaskets (side covers, o-rings, etc), then replace your conventional oil with synthetic, there should be no leak. If there is, you have a messed up mating surface, or you damaged the gasket during installation, don't have the bolts torqued evenly / appropriately, etc.



However, if you just change the oil from conventional -> synthetic on a 15 year old bike without doing anything else, you may find yourself leak-hunting. I did this on my 97, the first change I did when I bought the bike was to a full synthetic, and the leak chase started about 500 miles later. At this point, I've replaced all the old dried up gaskets and o-rings, and am not dealing with leaks, even though I continue to run the same synthetic oil.



Enjoy, and don't be discouraged: its good oil, but you may pay a small price in gasket maintenance over time. You probably should do that, anyway

 

[frog13]

It all depends on the mileage of the bike,including how long you have been running conventional(dino) oil.In my non-schooled way of saying things.........After running dino oil for thousands and thousands and thousands of miles the gaskets will have degraded a bit.........then synthetic is introduced into the system.The operator will more than likely begin to see oil "weeps" or even leaks.The operator is either going to switch back to dino oil to cease the "leaks" or start the job of replacing the gaskets etc.Synthetic oil cleans the engine better internally,so there isn't "as much" crud build up over the miles and years......this is also a reason why the dino oiled engine began to see "weeps" or even leaks when the oil was switched to synthetic. The more educated than I may dispute this,but.............. .Synthetic has much better FLOW characteristics,it is not "more slick" than dino.

 

[Woodi23]

I got a 2010 and I bought the bike with 800 miles on it. I changed to fulsyn at 900 miles and I have no idea what kind of oil was in there before. So hopefully I will be good. I just get worried when I read about leaking motors.

 

[PalmStateCrawler]

Certain years are prone to base gasket leaks like '05. I have a '10 with about 4k miles on it with zero mechanical issues so far.

 

[old mad max]

The 2010's and newer should OK...The gasket is sooooooooooooooooooooo much better now. Syn oil will be fine for many miles.. On my 06 with 10,000 miles I switched to see if it would leak, yup It has started.. Not worried because I have new gasket just waiting to be put on...

When I bought mt 09 triumph it came with syn and that's what they tell you to use. Mine now has 15,000 miles with "0" leaks. Yours should be just fine.... OMM.

 

[small's]

I wouldnt worry about it. My 07 had a base gasket leak along with a friends 05 and 03. All of the bikes were leaking wen we bought them and none of the owner ran synthetic to my knowledge. After changing the base gasket ive been running synthetic every since with no problems. I think most of the synthetic causing leaks is a myth. It might expose an existing problem but shouldnt cause one.

 

[Woodi23]

Thanks guys, this has calmed my nerves about running synthetic. I will keep on running it!

 

[Bucknutz]

It all depends on the mileage of the bike,including how long you have been running conventional(dino) oil.In my non-schooled way of saying things.........After running dino oil for thousands and thousands and thousands of miles the gaskets will have degraded a bit.........then synthetic is introduced into the system.The operator will more than likely begin to see oil "weeps" or even leaks.The operator is either going to switch back to dino oil to cease the "leaks" or start the job of replacing the gaskets etc.Synthetic oil cleans the engine better internally,so there isn't "as much" crud build up over the miles and years......this is also a reason why the dino oiled engine began to see "weeps" or even leaks when the oil was switched to synthetic. The more educated than I may dispute this,but.............. .Synthetic has much better FLOW characteristics,it is not "more slick" than dino.

I'm one of those guys that is experiencing an oil weep on the base gasket since changing to full synthetic on my 11000 mile 95. It unnerves me to see the weep, which turns into a few drips. I hope that switching back to dino oil will stop the leak. If not, I guess I'll be learning how to change the gaskets. Hope it is not too much of a job if I have to go that route. Dave

 

[Dubster]

My 03 developed the base gasket leak after switching to synthetic.I have the gaskets on order and will replace them and continue to use the synthetic as the clutch and transmission work so much better.

 

[silverhead]

I haven't picked up my TW yet (get it tomorrow) but are these engines difficult to rebuild and fix leaks on? I presume there's a cam chain, but otherwise the jug should come up and off of the piston like other simple 4 cycle engines? I've built stuff like CB350 cafe racer engines from parts in a box. Is the TW complicated to make quit leaking? From what I could see of it when I was checking it out, it was one of the simplest engines I'd ever laid eyes on. Also can you retorque the head bolts to make the base gasket quit leaking?



I noticed a bunch of red goop sealing the clutch side cover on my bike. Being picky about stuff like that I've already ordered a new gasket and plan to seal it up right.

 

[rm_hm]

Just hope none of that RTV goop finds it's way into the four oil filter flow holes that lube the top end or it's game over.

 

[frog13]

I'm one of those guys that is experiencing an oil weep on the base gasket since changing to full synthetic on my 11000 mile 95. It unnerves me to see the weep, which turns into a few drips. I hope that switching back to dino oil will stop the leak. If not, I guess I'll be learning how to change the gaskets. Hope it is not too much of a job if I have to go that route. Dave

Buck......from what I've read the base gasket isn't "that" big of a deal / labor intensive.......as with other bikes. Another issue with leaks is that some folks over tighten screws and bolts,deforming the gasket,o-ring etc..

 

[frog13]

I haven't picked up my TW yet (get it tomorrow) but are these engines difficult to rebuild and fix leaks on? I presume there's a cam chain, but otherwise the jug should come up and off of the piston like other simple 4 cycle engines? I've built stuff like CB350 cafe racer engines from parts in a box. Is the TW complicated to make quit leaking? From what I could see of it when I was checking it out, it was one of the simplest engines I'd ever laid eyes on. Also can you retorque the head bolts to make the base gasket quit leaking?



I noticed a bunch of red goop sealing the clutch side cover on my bike. Being picky about stuff like that I've already ordered a new gasket and plan to seal it up right.

Seal it up right,is,well,right!.....no RTV,replace the OEM gasket with an OEM.If you have rebuilt engines in the past,you'll have no issues......even a novice,if they follow the procedures will get the job done on a TW....they're great bikes.

 

[Stromper]

Use your favorite oil and park it over some newspaper, oil is cheap



I use redline cause its air cooled but I see no benefits