Greetings,

I could use some advice here. I have an 07 sm with 5ooo kms. on it. Recently, I noticed that I have had to top off the oil lever twice in a month which has never happened before. There are no leaks, no puddles, and the bike doesn't burn the oil. When washing it recently, I noticed what looked like an oily residue coating the lower sides of the coolant overflow bottle. I have washed the bike twice a week for the entire year that I owned it(During riding season), and have never seen this before. Upon closer inspection, I saw that there was a small pool of dark fluid at the bottom of it. Well, I figured I had solved the mystery of my oil level. I brought the bike to my local dealer, explained the situation, and left it with them to investigate. I even went to the extent of taking the mechanic out and showing him the bottle and little pool therein, and he acknowledged it. He later said that it's probably nothing. First off, I don't understand how oil ending up in the coolant overflow would be considered nothing. I would think one might have a head gasket/water pump seal issue for something like that to happen(But I'm no mechanic) This was last Friday. I called today to see what was found, and was told that it was looked at and nothing is wrong with it.:banghead: I asked if a leak down or pressure test was done and they person on the phone wouldn't say. Hopefully I will get more answers later on when I pick it up.
I bought a new bike so I wouldn't have these issues.
What should my next course of action be?...I have emailed Suzuki Canada explaining the situation. I wonder if I should be taking the bike back to my original place of purchase? Anyone have any advice, or have gone through a warranty/service related issue like this before?

Thanks all.

Not seeing the bikke my self, it is hard to definitive. But from what you are saying, it soes sound like a problem. Did you remove the radiator cap and look at the coolant? Did the dealer? Really should not matter what dealer looks at the bike, assuming they are all competent (key word).
You did right by having the dealer look at it, creating a repair order to check it and email SoCAN. If everybody feels it is a non-issue and leter, it becomes one, you have a paper trail identifying the problem when under warranty and therefore it should be covered if the problem becomes catastrophic in a reasonable period of time.

might be a leak in your headgasket, allowing oil into the water passages

in my experience with the ''dealer'' BS , only the dealer you bought the bike from are interested ..more or less .

return it to the place of purchase , make sure it is clean and serviced . CLAIM what is rightfully yours ..warranty .

if oil can get into the coolant I would be concerned that coolant is getting into the oil. How does the oil look?

Eddie Sisneros said:

The level would drop from the full mark to half way between full and empty say in 500 kms. Not sure what that translates out to in volume, but I do follow the same procedure to check the level. Run it 3 min, wait three min, and then check.

It doesn't make sense...The dealer gets paid for any parts or labour for all work done on a warrantied bike. You'd think that they would be inclined to do a proper check.....The fact that they aren't charging me for any labour in checking it out tells me that they probably didn't do anything.

Eddie Sisneros said:

Great idea....fast, simple/easy and free!!

Can you find another dealer?

Even popping off the radiator cap as I suggested earlier may show oil globules if in there or the dreaded oil/water 'cream'.

Checked that and didn't see any globules.

don't know how it would happen, but is there any way you have some vent lines mixed up...?? For instance, could you have somehow attached the the radiator overflow line (small line that goes up to the cap) to the frame oil tank vent?

Just throwing out ideas...

Eddie Sisneros said:

For the consumption....I have never had to top off since I have owned it. I think it's a little too co-incidental that I notice oil accumulating in the overflow shortly after having to top off frequently on a relatively new bike with lower mileage. (It doesn't burn the oil....No smoke/smell)
I will try the cleanup reccomendation Eddie, but like I mentioned in the initial post, I have cleaned that bike twice a week since i've owned it. This includes Plexus on all plastics including the overfolw bottle (Yes, I am anal!!!)...The dark oil was not there before...I will post a pic when I get the bike back.

4strokeOnly said:

I haven't touched any of the lines...

This oil, it is inside of the overflow tank, right?

William1 said:

Yes, and as I mentioned, the dealer saw it and acknowledged it.....The ouside of the bottle is spotless.
There is definately a problem.

i thought i had oil inside my recovery tank at one time.it turned out to be excessive chain lube.:doh:

bumtarder said:

You mean on the outside fo the bottle...right?