My oil is actually about three months old, but still clean. I am just going to change it when I replace my FPR in about a week.

The part above that I am referring to that is slightly dented in on two spots (noticed by rubbing my finger on it) is the oil cooler. Anyone ever have to replace the oil cooler?

My issue could be solved as long as I use an oil filter with a decent gasket, but I'm baffled as to how those dents got there.

 

Well, I spoke too soon. I am still leaking oil.

The oil leaks only when the bike starts up completely cold after all of the oil receded back to the oil tank from sitting for a while. When I start up the bike, I leak about 15 - 20 drops and then the leak stops. My guess is the leak is caused because of the pressure of the oil going through the oil filter from a cold start.

This morning, I couldn't see if the oil leak was coming from the two small indentations that I found on the oil cooler, but my guess is that the leak is coming from there.

I wish there was a way to fix that without replacing the oil cooler.

 

I found the instructions for how to replace the oil cooler on pages 4-8 and 4-9 of the service manual. Uninstall/installation looks pretty simple. I will have to drain the oil and coolant.

This part costs around $200.00, so I might try to find a salvage or used part that is in good condition. The cheapest new I found was 162.99 from heartland Honda. Ebay has plenty to offer for reasonable prices.

Anybody have any experience with this part or recommend if I only get a new oil cooler.

Also, does anyone know if there is a difference between part number: 15700-MBW-505 and 15700-MBW-J20. The second part number is what can be currently ordered from a Honda Dealer, but I was wondering if the first part number is just an old number, but the same part (and if that part will fit on a 04 F4i). I'm just wondering if there was any improvements to the part that warranted a new number.

Thanks.

 

Problem solved!

I had to replace the oil cooler. I now remember what happened. Last year at the beginning of the riding season, I had a hard time getting off an oil filter and I used a flat tip screw driver to try and create some space between the filter and the wall of the oil cooler. Sure enough, that put a dent in the oil cooler where the filter backs into.

I found an oil cooler on Ebay for 10.00 + 8.95 shipping. Put it in today and did an oil change and coolant change (had to do it to change the oil cooler). Now, no leaking oil.

Thanks for any input and hopefully this thread can help someone else (don't put a dent in the oil cooler!!!).