What is this and why is it leaking oil

Noticed a slight amount of build up and a bit of droplet forming underneath. It's on the right hand side in front of the rear brake next to the engine guard. Looks like it's a bit too low to be a seal for the crank shaft but I'm not sure. The Haynes manual wasn't much help so I'm hoping some xj wizard can point me in the right direction on this one.

 

It's just a plug in the oil galley. I don't recall what kind of seal it has (crush washer, gasket, o-ring.....).

First thing to do is make sure it's tight.

 

O-rings.........and be careful trying to make it "too tight"..........those plugs are just cast pot-metal, and crack really easily.

 

I looked it up for you. It's got an o-ring behind it. Might be time for a new one. Might as well do the one on the other side while you're at it.

 

Thanks for the quick responses, I'm guessing I'll have to drain the oil to pull the old o-ring?

 

I have a very small leak in what looks like the same spot. I'm thinking the engine oil will definitely need to be drained first.

 

You could tilt the bike on its side... But if its been awhile since you changed the oil, I'd suggest to go ahead and use this as your excuse to change it.

Dave

 

it's an oil galley not the crank case. there is only oil behind it when the engine is running.

CN

 

But if the bike is tilted so that is uphill, then any oil behind it will run back in toeard the sump rather than out into what your trying to work on----

 

It's on the right side, opposite the kickstand so if its on the kickstand all the oil should (in theory) all be on the other side of the galley when I pull the plug and replace the o-ring.

 

Put a clean catch pan under the plug before you pull it. Better to keep the mess to a minimum.

 

I would not expect the side-stand tilt to be enough. I bet you get a geyser.

 

Exactly what I did, found the correct allen wrench and pulled the plug the o-ring was smashed flat and probably original from the factory. Replaced with a new one and set with a nice torque to it. The leak has stopped completely and on the side stand didn't even spill a drop.

 

You may as well do both sides while you're messing with it. You know the O-ring on the other side can't be much different than the one that was already leaking.