Engine case crack...'05

[uptoblackwood]

Wow...two new posts in a day!

I had intended to do a few things to the bike after a recent trip to New Mexico and Colorado. I pulled the plastic today to do a good cleaning and get ready for brakes and clutch fluid flush and replacement. As I was cleaning I noted a crack in the engine case housing. This crack is on the left side of the engine and just above the bolt one in from the front left corner. Has anyone on the group seen this issue come up? I'm not sure if it's blowing oil...I rode though several construction sights with road oil going down and I have to clean up the mess to really figure out if oil is passing this crack. You can easily feel the rough edges associated with the crack so the metal has 'moved'.
Is it something that will fail?

[dond]

Aluminum caSTing crap/flash. Not to worry.
You'd be suprized how much oily crap we pck up off the road. I used toride in a rea with lots of trucks..They lose lots of grease from hitches etc on the road.

[CCC]

It looks like there was a crack in the mold when they cast the part. That is just a part of the casting process. I don't think there is anything to worry about. It is hard to tell from the pics though so you should take it to a dealer and have it looked at there.

[clickr]

Take a small dremmel tool (abrasive sanding disk or spool) and lightly sand the area you believe is a crack.

Get some die marking fluid (tool makers use it) and put some on a q-tip. Spread the die marking fluid on the area and let it stand for a few moments. Wipe off the excess and it is truely a crack in the metal, the die marker will penetrate into the crack and you won't be able to wipe it off. You will see the crack as the same shape you were wondering about.

If the area under the die marker wipes clean, then there was no crack.

I agree with the previous post (mold flash).

Cheers.

[Lager]

After cleaning,, Spray foot powder will highlight any sort of Oil seepage/leakage.

[uptoblackwood]

I'm going to sand the "crack" area to insure it's not just casting flash. This really looks and feels like a crack. After I have it clean and flat I'll apply the power and watch carefully for a leak. If no leak....then no problem???? I think I'll mark the ends of the cracks and watch for migration as well.

[dond]

Aluminum caSTing crap/flash. Not to worry.
You'd be suprized how much oily crap we pick up off the road. I used to ride in an area with lots of trucks..They loose lots of grease from hitches etc on the road.

http://www.my-mc.com/messages/1/54105.html

[Scaredy Cat]

I had exactly the same worry - see this thread:

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8907

I lightly dremelled and polished it, there is no crack, it was just a casting flaw.

You can relax!

[pmorritt]

Relax, have the same on my '05. Just a bit of metal from the casting of the block. I have noticed several of these "cracks". IT'S NOT A CRACK.

[chalayko]

Thread theft!
Now that we solved that one, CCC where do you catch that fish?!
Cliff in Victoria.

[CCC]

At the mouth of Camper Creek up at Port Renfrew. 34 pounds and a blast to hall in. It took 2 long runs before it gave up. This was last July. We caught a 28 pounder last weekend and we are going to try for a 100 + pound Halibut this sunday. Have you ever riden up to port renfrew? Thats a nice ride on a sunny day.