V-star oil leak

 I'm wondering how messy it's going to get if I change the oil filter o-
ring without draining the oil first?  I know there will be some oil
spillage when I open the oil filter cover, but I don't feel like
draining all the oil first.  The problem is that ever since I changed
the oil / oil filter on my v-star 650, I've had enough of an oil leak
around the cover to drip and spray on the case and even smoke off the
exhaust pipe once warmed up.  Pretty frustrating.

Any way, I'm hoping that I didn't put it back together "perfectly" so
I just want to open the oil filter cover, replace the o-ring (in case
the shop gave me the wrong ring) and try it again.  If that doesn't
work I'll need to pay a service center to do it but from what I hear
I'm pretty discouraged and figure there's still a 50/50 it will still
leak even if the pro's do it.  Definately a poor design on Yamaha's
part in my opinion.

BTW, I've got plenty of fresh oil to top it off when I'm done so
adding whatever I lose isn't too much of a problem.  Now, checking the
oil level to know if it's full after the job is done is not so easy
either...  but that's another problem... eh, design flaw, on Yammie's
part.  Didn't they ever hear of a dip stick?  Since when should it
take 2 people to check your oil level?

 If you don't do the job the way it was supposed to, and something gets
screwed up, expect ridicule instead of help from here.

If you are going to do it, do it RIGHT.

 I wouldn't think it would be a problem.  How much oil you'll lose
depends on a lot of things, like where the filter is in relation to
the level of oil in the oil pan.  If it's leaking, it's reasonable to
think the o-ring isn't seated, and to want to pull it out and see if
it's clean, etc.  Then just replace the oil you lost.  You know the
old trick about rubbing the o-ring with a little bit of oil to make it
seat?

I'm assuming your Yamaha has that little window on the side of the oil
pan rather than a dipstick.  My Honda has that too and you're right,
it's very annoying.  I don't know what's wrong with dipsticks these
days.

The last time I changed the oil on my 25 year old BMW I got all
finished and cleaned up and then found the oil plug gasket on the
floor.  I decided not to drain all that oil and start all over.  I put
the gasket on my keychain and waited for the plug to start leaking.
It never did, and now it's about time for another oil change!

 Here's an update.  On a v-star 650, I was able to pull the crankcase
cover and expose the oil filter without spilling a drop of oil.
Keeping the bike on it's side stand on my driveway and taking
advantage of the slight slope of the ground to tilt away from the oil
filter may have helped.

However - the leak doesn't appear to be around the o-ring.  It's
coming out past the threads on the 2 o'clock screw which is 1 of 5
screws that holds the cover in place.  After closer examination, I
think a prior owner stripped and/or redrilled one of the holes and I
noticed a white "filling" on the threads of the guilty screw.  I
figure it was some thread sealer so I bought some at the auto store,
applied it to the screw and put it back in tight - but not killer
tight as I don't want to make a bad hole worse.

I'm going to let it set for 72 hours per the instructions and then
fire it up and see what happens.  Hope this works otherwise I think
I'm screwed (excuse the pun).   Please tell me the oil filter on a
Honda Aero 750 (or any Shadow 750) is better designed than this.
That's what I'm trading up to once I get this thing operating well
without leaks.  I really do love the bike but I feel like it's too
delicate.

For anyone reading this, I've got to reiterate that a v-star 650 is a
great bike but oil leaks really freak me out.  Other than that I love
it.

 jkosmides@gmail.com wrote:

That filter design is fine.  The problem is invariably owners who
don't understand how O-rings work and overtighten the screws.  Those
screws can be extremely loose yet the O-ring seal will never leak
so long as the cover remains in place.

--
'01 SV650S  '99 EX250-F13  '98 ZG1000-A13
OMF #7