Hello all, new to the forum and the Gas Gas. I recently bought a lightly used 2012 ec250r. Bike's in very good condition. The problem that I've been having is related to leaks. After I got it home and rode around the yard I noticed I was loosing coolant, determined it was the water pump seal. It's now fixed. Rode for 4 hours sat and then saw the countershaft seal was leaking. Fixed that last night. I've had bikes and quads for 20+ years and I can see now and then an issue. Are these bikes prone to leaking seals? I tried to do my research prior to buying as the company is in dire straits. I verified I could get parts or cross reference else where. I guess i'm just a little bit disappointed I've had to mess so much.
Did I make a mistake?
- Thread starter daveec250
- Start date
Zman
Platinum Level Site Supporter
Hello,
We have 9 GG bikes in our group and I have only needed to replace those two seals due to leaks on my 2000 after 10yrs of riding it. I can not speak the 2012 but I have found the GG to be no more likely to leak than other dirt bikes. Both of those are mechanical seals that are prone to wear. Is it possible that your bike had many miles on it before you bought it or is it possible that you overfilled the oil?
We have 9 GG bikes in our group and I have only needed to replace those two seals due to leaks on my 2000 after 10yrs of riding it. I can not speak the 2012 but I have found the GG to be no more likely to leak than other dirt bikes. Both of those are mechanical seals that are prone to wear. Is it possible that your bike had many miles on it before you bought it or is it possible that you overfilled the oil?
Jakobi
Super Moderator
I wouldn't say they are overly prone to it.
My 2010 model went over 260hrs before replacing any of the mentioned (and only did so as part of a complete rebuild, preventitive maintenance).
My 2013 model has had a leak from the counter shaft, and also a weeping stator side main seal under 100hrs. The counter shaft was due to an extended period of riding in mud and grit though and was somewhat expected. The main seal wasn't causing poor running, but was noted during some other maintenance and replaced at that time.
My 2010 model went over 260hrs before replacing any of the mentioned (and only did so as part of a complete rebuild, preventitive maintenance).
My 2013 model has had a leak from the counter shaft, and also a weeping stator side main seal under 100hrs. The counter shaft was due to an extended period of riding in mud and grit though and was somewhat expected. The main seal wasn't causing poor running, but was noted during some other maintenance and replaced at that time.
thanks for the replies. I know they are a wearable items and it's always possible the bike had more miles and has been overfilled. No hour meter so all I had to base things on were the condition. This is the nicest bike I've owned and I guess with money being tight i'm just worried I made a mistake. Good thing is I know the bike inside and out at this point. Got one more item to address, a weeping water pump gasket. thanks again fellas.
VxZeroKnots
Gold Level Site Supporter
All that stuff certainly is a pain, but I wouldn't say that model year is prone to leaking. Probably a few more fiddly bits and in six months you won't remember any of it.
desertgasser300
Banned
Most likely poor maintenence on part of the previous owner. I have a 12' also, it looks rough cause I ride it hard, but it runs in perfect order cause I'm anal about the maintenence.
I've seen some used bikes that are deceiving, they look newish but the owners didn't do squat for maintenence. My riding partner was that way until he got sick of me telling him he needs to take care of his bike.
I've seen some used bikes that are deceiving, they look newish but the owners didn't do squat for maintenence. My riding partner was that way until he got sick of me telling him he needs to take care of his bike.
poelinca
New member
It's always the matter of buying used enduro bikes, especially if the bike had more than one owner. Most of them are not well maintained and looked after. The ones that are in top notch condition will get sold to friends and friends of friends but not on the used bikes market for sure, because they won't get the price they actually deserve.
Do not be surprised if you find a couple more issues to be fixed. Once they are all out of the way you will not regret it. Hang in there, GG are awesome bikes.
Do not be surprised if you find a couple more issues to be fixed. Once they are all out of the way you will not regret it. Hang in there, GG are awesome bikes.
thanks for the support. On the plus side, it is awesome. I was all in as soon as I rode it prior to purchase. It's a beast for sure. In western pa we have a lot of rocks and roots. She tracks straight and lugs like a tractor. Perfect for the hilly nasty stuff we ride. She puts my wr426 to shame. This is my first 2 stroke in more than 20 years. Something about the smell and the power hit that gets me every time. Based on tinkering I think the previous owner wasn't meticulous. I'm very much that way so if it isn't right it bugs me. Since it was new to me and I wasn't sure what the prior guy did, I pretty much ripped her down and touched and torqued every bolt and fastener. My wife thought I was out of my mind but I kindly explained to her that if i'm gonna rip and tear, I want to know it's all good. Not take someone's word for it. My WR was used and the guy I bought it from had 3 bikes and a bunch of Harley's. I thought he knew what was up then I come to find out on the first oil change he had 3+ quarts in the old girl when it calls for just shy of 1!
Owned a 2002 YZ250 since new with countless hours and only replaced a top end and clutch...bike is bullet proof. Never lost a bolt
Bought a new Gas Gas 2014 300 and have rebuilt the water pump assembly twice, replaced two clutch MC's, along with other odds and ends, and have several bolts fall off.
One leak was so bad I couldn't get the oil/coolant to drain after it mixed and had to take everything apart and clean with kerosene. Been a joy.
Bought a new Gas Gas 2014 300 and have rebuilt the water pump assembly twice, replaced two clutch MC's, along with other odds and ends, and have several bolts fall off.
One leak was so bad I couldn't get the oil/coolant to drain after it mixed and had to take everything apart and clean with kerosene. Been a joy.
gasser
New member
I can understand your frustration but lets look at reality: clutch master cylinders are not a part buiilt in house at GasGas, yes the water pump issue should be addressed and loose bolts may be the result of distracted factory workers worrying about the future of their jobs. My reality is that I've owned 5 gassers and every one has been more rock solid dependable than any of the many jap bikes that I've owned.
More than 1/2 the bike is after market parts, so that makes Gas Gas not responsible? They designed the bike and choose those parts. Listen, I really like the bike A LOT, but I would say not many bikes are strait up reliable as a Yamaha YZ...just saying, it is well known fact.
Also the dealer found out from Gas Gas that the MC was a known common failure, but once I was out of my 30 day warranty, the cost of the fix was on me. That sucked especially for a known factory issue.
It is an awesome bike but not the end all be all. Nothing against Gas Gas, the 300 is one killer machine. Only time will tell (if I keep it that long).
gasser
New member
If master cylinder failures are a common failure it must be only on 2012 models and later. I've never had a clutch problem with any of my 5 gassers (my latest is a 2011). In 15 years of being on this forum almost every day I can't recall of anyone having clutch master problems but that doesn't mean things haven't changed. One thing to keep in mind is that most of europe has gone through a horrible recession and suppliers have had to scale back or shut their doors, of course their quality control may suffer. That's a sad but true fact - workers that fear they may be unemployed and in the bread line next week probably don't do their best work under those circumstances. Good luck on your bike hopefully from here on it will be as dependable as my gassers have been..
liamthom
New member
my water pump gasket had a tare in it, all i did is use high temp silicon spray on both sides and did the job good 120+ miles on it no leaking
This was a 2014 and I confirmed it with the dealer and knew another 14 owner with the same problem. The fix was to replace it with a Magura unit.
desertgasser300
Banned
I remember hearing about a run of the AJP units that were "bad" so to speak. I believe this was when AJP was changing hands?
gasser
New member
We need to be careful about "blanket statements" because they can mislead people we do not wish to mislead. There is simply no way that a Magura mc can be "way" better than a "good" AJP mc. Only way it could be noticeably better is if it pulled the clutch lever for you. It could very well be that AJP had a bad production run as another member here suggested and may still be having problems but for years they made excellent clutch master cylinders. I just don't want new members here to worry about their clutch mc if they have an older bike.
desertgasser300
Banned
I switched my 12' Magura with the AJP off of my 97', the AJP pull is smooth and consistent. The Magura was either on or off feeling, lacked the modulation I could achieve with the AJP. My vote would be for the AJP hands down.
BTW the AJP I'm using is near 20 years old. I've owned it for almost 10 of those years and never had to once rebuild or fix anything on it. Still has the original lever.
