Spitting leak out of the plastic on the Alternator - 15 V7 Stone

[TimmyTheHog]

 

Yesterday went out for a ride with my buddies, and one of them notice there is a slight pool of "something" on my alternator cover...no pool of oil anywhere but some grim and wet spot.

It turns out after some research, it seems it is "spitting" out of the plastic piece that house the wires between the alternator & rectifier...

It doesn't pool out oil nor spitting like mad...and I wouldn't notice until my buddy did.

This is on my 2015 V7 Stone...So I believe I have a wet alternator.

Has any of you have anything like this?













This is in the parking where my buddy noticed...after maybe 150~180 mile ride?

I wiped it up with some paper towel and then rode off




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This is after I got home & after equally 150ish miles home...

I am planning to bring the bike back to shop for some other stuff, but it seems this will also be one of them...

[Socalrob]

Not to in anyway diminish your weepy alternator (I assume there is a seal in there somewhere that needs looking at), but isn't it amazing that we now get concerned about a film of oil?  What would riders in the 1960's think of us?  I don't think they got too excited unless the puddle of oil underneath their bike was more likely to be measured in fractions of a cup than  a table spoon or two after a nice ride.  And yours is likely to be measured in eye drops.

Just recently I saw a great little Yamaha 175 plated dirt bike parked by my local Mexican restaurant.  The rider thoughtfully had taken a freeby local newspaper out of a rack and put it under his/her bike so the kickstand held it in place and so that it caught about a tablespoon of oil leakage (looked to be a bad seal on the primary drive).  Now there is an environmentally conscious rider.  Even with the oil leak the little Yami was a great looking fun around town bike.

Seals in bikes and cars too have come a long way.  Now we both expect and demand perfection.

[pete roper]

There was a tech bulletin about this I seem to remember. It requires the cover pulling and sealant applying to the grommet where it comes through the case and a new gasket I believe.

[TimmyTheHog]

Not to in anyway diminish your weepy alternator (I assume there is a seal in there somewhere that needs looking at), but isn't it amazing that we now get concerned about a film of oil?  What would riders in the 1960's think of us?  I don't think they got too excited unless the puddle of oil underneath their bike was more likely to be measured in fractions of a cup than  a table spoon or two after a nice ride.  And yours is likely to be measured in eye drops.

Just recently I saw a great little Yamaha 175 plated dirt bike parked by my local Mexican restaurant.  The rider thoughtfully had taken a freeby local newspaper out of a rack and put it under his/her bike so the kickstand held it in place and so that it caught about a tablespoon of oil leakage (looked to be a bad seal on the primary drive).  Now there is an environmentally conscious rider.  Even with the oil leak the little Yami was a great looking fun around town bike.

Seals in bikes and cars too have come a long way.  Now we both expect and demand perfection.

ya, i get what you mean...and I would not have noticed it unless I wash it or my buddy didn't see it.

Just took a look the manual and the part of it (rather lack of it), it doesn't looks like there is a seal to it...

and SINCE you "need" to take that cover off to do TDC check, I am guess the gasket is torn in someway...or is there actually gasket?

[TimmyTheHog]

There was a tech bulletin about this I seem to remember. It requires the cover pulling and sealant applying to the grommet where it comes through the case and a new gasket I believe.

huh really eh...

well, if this does not kill the bike (will it?!?!?!?!), I am going to ride it until my original date, August 12th, for me to bring the bike in...it is still under warranty dammit!...

in the meantime, I will have to keep an eye on it...

[jpv7]

There was a tech bulletin about this I seem to remember. It requires the cover pulling and sealant applying to the grommet where it comes through the case and a new gasket I believe.

Makes sense.  I fixed mine myself even though it was under warranty.  Pull the cover (don't ask about the ABS module bracket) reseal around the grommet.  I re-used the gasket. 

[TimmyTheHog]

Makes sense.  I fixed mine myself even though it was under warranty.  Pull the cover (don't ask about the ABS module bracket) reseal around the grommet.  I re-used the gasket.

So I am not the only one...and "good thing" I do not have an ABS module on my bike...

what type of gasket did you use? Black seal-able or some sort of paper gasket?

Will this work? https://www.canadiantire.ca/content/canadian-tire/en/pdp/ultra-black-rtv-gasket-maker-80ml-0383722p.0383722.html

[pete roper]

If the gasket is one of the new metal type then yes, it can probably be re-used. Not ideal but if it works, it works. Well done for not being a wuss and just doing it.

No a tiny oil weep won't kill the bike OP. I'd call your dealer and forewarn them of the issue then they can order in the new gasket and have it ready to go when your bike next goes in for a service. Oh, and that picture from the parts page is for a dry alternator bike and not relevant.

Pete

[Kev m]

ya, i get what you mean...and I would not have noticed it unless I wash it or my buddy didn't see it.

Just took a look the manual and the part of it (rather lack of it), it doesn't looks like there is a seal to it...

and SINCE you "need" to take that cover off to do TDC check, I am guess the gasket is torn in someway...or is there actually gasket?

Uh, just be clear - you've got a wet alternator 1TB model right? The cover (is it plastic not metal interesting) is not the same as the cover on the 2013-14 1TB models with the dry alternator. You wouldn't remove the cover on the wet alt models just to spin the crankshaft for valve adjustments. So there's no maintenance "need" to take that cover.

As for a seal, it sure looks like there's one in that exploded view, but is that view from the right year?

EDIT - ah that's what I suspected on the exploded view - thx Pete.

[jpv7]

So I am not the only one...and "good thing" I do not have an ABS module on my bike...

what type of gasket did you use? Black seal-able or some sort of paper gasket?

Will this work? https://www.canadiantire.ca/content/canadian-tire/en/pdp/ultra-black-rtv-gasket-maker-80ml-0383722p.0383722.html

yes. Permatex "crappy tire" #038-3722-6 product code.

[TimmyTheHog]

Uh, just be clear - you've got a wet alternator 1TB model right? The cover (is it plastic not metal interesting) is not the same as the cover on the 2013-14 1TB models with the dry alternator. You wouldn't remove the cover on the wet alt models just to spin the crankshaft for valve adjustments. So there's no maintenance "need" to take that cover.

As for a seal, it sure looks like there's one in that exploded view, but is that view from the right year?

EDIT - ah that's what I suspected on the exploded view - thx Pete.

my cover feels like metal when I tap on it and my bike is 1TB model, so that is how I concluded it is a 1TB wet alternator model, and since it is leaking, I would assume so?

Now this makes me even more curious and "confirmed" the gasket has failed just from me riding the bike...which strikes me funny

If the gasket is one of the new metal type then yes, it can probably be re-used. Not ideal but if it works, it works. Well done for not being a wuss and just doing it.

No a tiny oil weep won't kill the bike OP. I'd call your dealer and forewarn them of the issue then they can order in the new gasket and have it ready to go when your bike next goes in for a service. Oh, and that picture from the parts page is for a dry alternator bike and not relevant.

Pete

haha...I know...I have tried not to baby it but usually ending up polishing the tank for a good half hour when I get home... ...wife doesn't like that too much LOL...

I will call the shop tomorrow (they are closed today) and let them know what is coming to them...

I have no clue whether the gasket is metal or not as I have not had the chance to take it apart myself.

and thank letting me know the page I have is wrong...especially they use the same manual for all the years of the bike for V7...

A very good thing about Moto Guzzi is everything is wide open, so I can so easily diagnose what is wrong with the bike...lol...

yes. Permatex "crappy tire" #038-3722-6 product code.

Thanks!...I will go with this as plan B 

[jpv7]

If the gasket is one of the new metal type then yes, it can probably be re-used. Not ideal but if it works, it works. Well done for not being a wuss and just doing it.

No a tiny oil weep won't kill the bike OP. I'd call your dealer and forewarn them of the issue then they can order in the new gasket and have it ready to go when your bike next goes in for a service. Oh, and that picture from the parts page is for a dry alternator bike and not relevant.

Pete

for the record, my V7ii has a metal cover, with a decent metal gasket, so I re-used.  The service manual refers to the engine manual for the dry alternator bikes.  Typical Guzzi. lol

[TimmyTheHog]

There was a tech bulletin about this I seem to remember. It requires the cover pulling and sealant applying to the grommet where it comes through the case and a new gasket I believe.

Can't seem to find the bulletin of this specifically...

oh well, let see what they say tomorrow...

for the record, my V7ii has a metal cover, with a decent metal gasket, so I re-used.  The service manual refers to the engine manual for the dry alternator bikes.  Typical Guzzi. lol

lol...ya, I came off jap bikes and I love reading manual for spare time reading (yes i am weird)...let just say guzzi manuals had lead to me some gray hair at the spots I didn't they even existed...

crossing fingers

[TimmyTheHog]

So after brought the bike back for this and some other work, the front cover was completely resealed under warranty.

So...hopefully no more leak...crossing fingers.

Was told some bikes had their seal put on "just tad" under the correct amount and they will peel away especially near the rubber triangle thing which is exactly where my started to leak...

so far had this bike over 4 months, 7000 KM...it is def a love hate relationship with this bike so far lol...