How To Stop Motorcycle Oil Leak: Causes & How To Fix It

A motorcycle oil leak is one of the most common occurrences faced by millions of riders all around the world. You should be able to find where the oil leaks from your motorcycle and how to fix it as soon as possible.

To stop the motorcycle oil leak regardless of where it leaks from you should always check for any damage or crack to the gasket/sealing, worn oil filter seal, or worn oil drain plug where the oil can leak through. 

In this article, we will discuss how to stop the oil leak in your motorcycle which can be from the bottom of the engine or the head gasket or from any part of the engine compartment, and what are the causes behind the oil leakage.

What Causes Motorcycle Oil Leaks?

So you put engine oil into your motorcycle engine to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. The oil travels into various parts of the engine to keep the temperature cool and lubricate the moving parts of the engine such as the crankshaft, gearbox, and clutch to avoid causing friction.

So here are the common causes of motorcycle oil leaks.

1. Damaged Threads Of Oil Drain Plug.
2. Damaged Or Cracked Gasket/Sealing Of The Engine Compartments.
3. Worn Out Oil Filter Seal Or Cover Cap.

Let’s look at each cause in detail and how to fix it to stop the oil leak.

1. Damaged Threads Of Oil Drain Plug

The majority of people also face a specific problem where the motorcycle leaks oil from the bottom of the engine and the reason/ cause for it is pretty obvious.

The motorcycle leaks oil from the bottom of the engine when the threads on the oil drain plug are either flattened or the O-ring of the drain plug damaged, and oil drain plugs are often placed at the bottom of the engine.

So check for any inconsistency or flatting of the drain plug/nut threads and look at the condition of the O-ring, if you see any cracks or significant damage then replace it. This will stop the oil leak in your motorcycle.

2. Damaged Or Cracked Gasket/Sealing Of The Engine Compartments 

Gaskets are placed between different parts of the engine’s surface to create an airtight sealing that protects the engine’s internal parts from external moisture and dirt and most importantly to avoid an oil leak.

These gasket sealings are placed around different parts of the engine and exhaust system such as the cylinder head, stator cover, engine block, clutch cover, etc.

Motorcycles have o-rings on different parts around the engine to keep the oil contained inside the engine and avoid leakage so check for any kind of damage to the o-rings also.

The motorcycle will start to leak oil if the gasket or o-ring is cracked or damaged and the oil inside the engine will start to come out, which will cause the motorcycle engine to seize.

To stop the motorcycle oil leak replace the damaged gaskets or o-rings with new OEM gaskets or o-rings, which are made for your motorcycle.

You can do it by yourself if you have mechanical experience or take it to a professional who can do it for you.

3. Worn Out Oil Filter Seal Or Cover Cap

Another place where the motorcycle leak oil is the oil filter region. So every motorcycle nowadays has an oil filter in it and a cover cap to conceal it properly.

So the shape or form of the oil filters changes depending upon motorcycle type and size but every oil filter or cover cap has an O-ring or gasket ring/sealing to it.

If the O-ring or sealing on the oil filter or the concealing cover is cracked or damaged it won’t be able to hold the oil inside the oil filter chamber causing an oil leakage problem.

Check for the O-rings on the oil filter or the concealing cover and replace them with a new one if they are damaged to stop the motorcycle oil leak.

When Should You Change Your Motorcycle Oil?

If your motorcycle is leaking oil, then try to fix the leak to stop the leakage then you can do your regular oil change procedure.

For the regular oil change intervals it depends on the motorcycle size and type and what kind of oil you are using.

You can find three different types of engine oils in the market such as mineral, semi-synthetic, and fully synthetic. Oil change interval depends on what kind of oil you are using and your motorcycle type and engine size( cubic capacity).

I have written an article on engine oil change intervals and maintenance which will surely clear your doubts and questions about the oil changing routine.

FAQ’S Relating To Motorcycle Oil Leak