Is this engine oil or chain lube?

[geofferz]

My dealer serviced my 3 month old bike and the next day this leaked from the front sprocket area (but I believe that's also the oil thingy place?). They said it chain lube but its very thick. Doesn't smell. Any ideas?!

 

 

Edited April 23, 2018 by geofferz

[Gerontious]

Engine oil isn't "very thick"... Especially not in warmer or warmish weather.

[fullscreenaging]

I’ve recenty had my bike serviced. I did the oil & filter myself and checked everything was torqued up and no leaks.

Had the same as you on the patio. Knee jerk reaction was, shit! Oil leak. On closer inspection I could see it was coming from the front sprocket and dripping down. I don’t know what the dealer has used, but they’ve lathered the chain in it. It’s flung all over the right hand side of my bike!!

[geofferz]

Cool - sounds like chain lube then. Thanks chaps.

[fastbob]

Are you sure its not hedgehog shit ?

[Fozzie]

Look under your bike at the bottom of the engine where the oil sump is, and if it's dry (especially around the drain bolt) then you are fine and it's probably the sprocket.

Your bike is quite likely to be too young to get a leak anywhere else, but have a quick check around the engine for any wet/oily patches.

[TimR]

It has been really hot in past few days .

Coupled with a hot engine

Coupled with a hot chain.

Chain lube gets thinner as it gets hot and if its cheap lube it was thin to start with .

But yes does look similar to Hedgehog Shit ( only seen one of the 7 hedgehogs we had in garden last year since hibernation ended so far and even he has not been about the past few days )

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

I also think it looks like chain lube - or rather the abrasive paste chain lube forms when it attracts grit and dirt.

Oil would have soaked into the floor and just left a stain. The fact that blob is standing proud of the surface shows how much solid matter chain lube attracts.

I much prefer dry chain waxes which last longer, don't fling off all over the place and don't attract grit.

[geofferz]

Thanks guys - I need all the mechanical help I can get!

[megawatt]

Have a ride over to Hastings and we'll give it a good check over.

[geofferz]

Have a ride over to Hastings and we'll give it a good check over.

Okay I will! As soon as its nice and sunny. On a weekend. Thank you.