Got a leaky fork, what should I say in case dealer won't fix it?

[katata1100]

Got 15,000 miles on '11,right  fork is leaky. i think that non abused fork oem fork seals should last longer than 15,000 miles.  What is the likely hood that they won't fix it under warranty?
If they don't fix, what reasons would they give and how do I respond?

[Lone-Rider]

The left seal on my 2011 started weeping at about 800 miles. Dealer initially said it wouldn't be covered as it is a "wear" item. Lots of posts about them being covered however and after some discussion between dealer and Mama K, they were covered under warranty.

Might not fair so well at 15,000 though. Dealer told me that bug guts and road dust will eventually cause them to leak, so I make a point of frequently wiping down the forks now to prevent future issues. I may even put some boots on them to keep stuff off.

[Pokey]

Doubt the seal is bad, probably just some dried bug guts up in there is all. Take some film negative if you have some, carefully pull down the dust seal, then insert the film up under and around the inner seal.....rotate around and around. Wipe off and repeat.


Or you can just get this.....trust me it works!!!!!!






http://sealmate.net/

[Rhino]

Doubt the seal is bad, probably just some dried bug guts up in there is all. Take some film negative if you have some, carefully pull down the dust seal, then insert the film up under and around the inner seal.....rotate around and around. Wipe off and repeat.


Or you can just get this.....trust me it works!!!!!!






http://sealmate.net/

+1 In fact I used a piece of clear plastic cover from a presentation printout. I just cut it down and gave it a little hook like the tool. Works like a champ.

[katata1100]

Don't see how a bug could have cause it as the fender wraps around in front of the forks.
My forks are always clean, and as far as dust goes, most of my my miles have been done in the mountains, mot dusty deserts, with at least one day of rain per trip!

[stevewfl]

The stealership here has fixed them under warranty.  Perhaps talk with your service manager.

[katata1100]

Service manager told me to leave bike (I'll try to get wife to run me over there in a few minutes).
He told me Kawa almost never replaces fork seals under warranty, said it is a wear item.
He said that he will take pictures and submit them (whatever that means).
He asked how many miles bike had and I told him 14,800. He said "Well, they are due then, might as well get both done.Will cost around $300 plus parts."
WTF? Fork seals should be replaced every 15,000 F-ing miles?

[Son of Pappy]

Pokey has your answer.  It is as easy as the video makes it.  Part of my routine maintenance on the dirt bikes.  If the seal mate doesn't cure the leak seals are easy to replace and for under $150 you will have the tools, oil, and seals.  After that $40 should cover the parts.  But I must say, 54000 miles and no leaking seals.

[koval68]

Service manager told me to leave bike (I'll try to get wife to run me over there in a few minutes).
He told me Kawa almost never replaces fork seals under warranty, said it is a wear item.
He said that he will take pictures and submit them (whatever that means).
He asked how many miles bike had and I told him 14,800. He said "Well, they are due then, might as well get both done.Will cost around $300 plus parts."
WTF? Fork seals should be replaced every 15,000 F-ing miles?

He is full of shite!!!

[kwakrider]

He is full of shite!!!

+1!!

[VirginiaJim]

  !

[Pokey]

Don't see how a bug could have cause it as the fender wraps around in front of the forks.
My forks are always clean, and as far as dust goes, most of my my miles have been done in the mountains, mot dusty deserts, with at least one day of rain per trip!

It happens all the time and it takes practically nothing to cause a leak, your seals are not bad "trust me". My WR250R was leaking bad from the left fork after some hardcore woods single track, I used the seal mate and the leak promptly stopped. Worth a try first, unless you would rather waste money at the dealer instead.

[katata1100]

Still waiting to hear from dealer. I called kawasaki, told them the bike and mileage and he said kawa will cover it. He said there was a time when they wouldn't cover it unless the bike had like 500 miles on it, but they'll cover it under warranty. He said they wouldn't cover though, under the extended warranty. He took my vin# and said the dealer will fix it.
Dealer said they would call for authorization but are sure it will be denied. If they call back, said repair was denied, they replaced seals, will cost me $300, then I guess I can assume they lied when they said they'd call. Will find out answer probably in an hour or tomorrow morning.

[MAN OF BLUES]

..... He said there was a time when they wouldn't cover it unless the bike had like 500 miles on it, but they'll cover it under warranty. He said they wouldn't cover though, under the extended warranty. He took my vin# and said the dealer will fix it.......

IT IS NOT acceptable to think fork seals are needed duiring the first 36 months of the factory warranty...
there is nothing in the owners manual stating they need to be serviced or replaced.

as for the extended GTPP covering them, it should, that plan extends the original, and if you buy a second (or a third) it extends for many years. irregardless of miles driven.

only parts NOT covered are fluids, filters, bulbs, tires, brake pads, or any "damaged" parts due to impact or neglect.

[stevewfl]

The stealership here has fixed them under warranty.  Perhaps talk with your service manager.

^^^^^let me reiterate that one.  And if you want the service managers name at the local stealership here that does it let me know

[katata1100]

Got a call from the the dealer, he said kawa will pay for the repair, was really surprised that it would, said he had to take pics and send it in to show that the forks are not pitted.
My theory is that they told me that the warranty wouldn't cover because:
1) They didn't want to take the time to file a warranty claim
2)  They can make more money having me pay for a fork seal job than having kawa pay as they might pay less for the same job.