Leaking Oil tank on 3AJ?

[AlexD]

I appear to have an oil tank that leaks only while the engine is running on my ’89 3AJ Tenere. Oil is slowly dripping off the bottom corner of the oil tank and onto the exhaust, and it only does this when the engine is running, not at a stand still.

I checked the hoses and drain bolt but both seem pretty dry, could I have a small split in my oil tank? Has this happened to anyone else?

[sipke]

vibrations can cause the tank to get very small cracks near the welds. When oil gets hot and pressure in the tank goes up, it will sip.
You can get them welded/brassed with coper by a decent bodyshop (not the plastic-part-glueing-freaks but the bearded oldskool leadsled-lover )
Or find a replacement on ebay.

If you go into rough terrain a lot it's also worth the trouble to cut the original coper tube that carries the oil to the engine where it goes around the exhaust and reconnect it with a rubber hose. (Mine broke twice in 3 months, the rubber has been on it for over a year now without problems)
grts,
J

[*Touring Ted*]

The heat and pressure lowere the viscosity of the oil so its runs (and leaks) easier.

If you can find the leak, then you can use Metal weld liquid such as JB WELD.

[AlexD]

Cheers guys, I'll get it repaired as susggested.