nagging oil leak

copper · March 22, 2015, 05:45:27 PM

I have had a slight oil leak that I see dropping on the garage floor after every ride.

When I bought the bike the mechanic told me it was the oil pan gasket, so I bought a new one from Randy and changed it.

Well, the leak did slow so the pan gasket was bad, but I still have a small drip.

I have taken a couple of picture from under the chain guard as the oil appears to be on the left lower engine. By looking at the pictures I am thinking the seal under the shift shaft. The reason I say that is it is clean and the rest of the area under the cover is dirty.

I think if it was from the trans seal it would be cleaned from the oil leaking down from that seal.

I just want to get the laek fixed and would like to fix it this time and not have to do it again.

What do you guys think?

Pat Conlon · March 22, 2015, 05:59:20 PM

Clutch push rod seal...easy peesy to replace.

The oil pressure is considerable around the push rod...just start your engine with the clutch slave off and you will see what I mean (don't)

Just clean the base of the push rod then pull the push rod out, you can then pull the seal out, clean, pop a new seal in and re install the push rod.

Remember, don't start your engine until you re install the clutch slave... trust me.

oldktmdude · March 22, 2015, 06:05:49 PM

Check that the alternator bolts are tight. Just had a similar problem. Pete.

FJmonkey · March 22, 2015, 07:08:34 PM

It is not the clutch push rod seal... It is way to dirty below the seal. Follow the clean oil path up till it stops. The oil and detergents clean as it leaks down. That is how Randy found my oil leak. I just hope your leak is not the same as mine. Cracked case.

Check higher up (with a good flashlight/torch) where the starter and alternator enter the gearbox. They have o-rings that can fail and leak down into the output shaft area through a drain hole.

Pat Conlon · March 22, 2015, 07:27:16 PM

The countershaft sprocket sure looks clean....with that sprocket spinning around, any oil will get everywhere....

I'll bet a jelly donut it's the push rod seal....

Coop, you may want to pull off the c/s sprocket and take a look at behind it at the shaft seal...

FJmonkey · March 22, 2015, 07:37:16 PM

Quote from: Pat Conlon on March 22, 2015, 07:27:16 PM
The countershaft sprocket sure looks clean....with that sprocket spinning around, any oil will get everywhere....

I'll bet a jelly donut it's the push rod seal....

Coop, you may want to pull off the c/s sprocket and take a look at behind it at the shaft seal...

Pat, it is so clean that it is free of any debris (too clean). It looks more like new. Lets find out if it was cleaned and reinstalled. A leaking CS seal makes a good chain oiler.

copper · March 22, 2015, 07:55:18 PM

There is no oil leaking from the top from the alternator or starter, it is contained solely inside the cover and low and on the left side only.

I changed chain & sprockets at the last oil change so they are new, that is why they look pretty clean.

The reason I said the shift seal was because it was so clean and the area below the pushrod seal is still dirty.

I went to Randy's website and both of those seals are cheap and available so I ordered both of them. I also cleaned everything before I put the cover back on and I will ride to work this week and see if there is oil present from one or the other next weekend.

Thanks for the input and if anyone else has any other ideas, I am all ears as I just want to get the leak stopped.

FJmonkey · March 22, 2015, 07:59:39 PM

Quote from: copper on March 22, 2015, 07:55:18 PM
There is no oil leaking from the top from the alternator or starter, it is contained solely inside the cover and low and on the left side only.

Good to know. So you are limited to the CS seal, Shift shaft seal and clutch push rod seal... If you still have the cover open I would spray it with a talc based foot spray. The leaking oil will be easy to see after a short ride....

craigo · March 22, 2015, 08:07:09 PM

You may be leaking oil from this hex bolt. Easy fix...

CraigO

copper · March 24, 2015, 04:16:44 PM

I sent my pictures to Robert at RPM. He looked and thought the shift seal too.

He had Randy look at them too and he confirmed it was the most likely source of leak due to the cleanliness of the direct area.

It was recommended that I get the push rod seal too since it is cheap and I will already be in there. I am going to change just yhe shift shaft next weekend and see if that is in fact leak. If not then I'll change the push rod seal.

Thanks Craig, the rest of my engine is dry

copper · April 28, 2015, 01:44:04 PM

update on my oil leak. I replaced the shift lever seal a couple of weeks ago. I noted after the first ride the oil spot after a ride was smaller than before. the spot kept getting smaller & smaller and now they are gone. I think the drops after the seal was changed was from residual oil on the engine. thanks for all the help.

Capn Ron · April 28, 2015, 04:16:39 PM

Soooo...does someone owe Pat a jelly donut?

Pat Conlon · April 28, 2015, 06:37:36 PM

Quote from: Capn Ron on April 28, 2015, 04:16:39 PM
Soooo...does someone owe Pat a jelly donut?

Homer Simpson voice: "Mmmmm, jelly donuts!"

Actually my bet was on the clutch push rod seal....turns out it's the shift shaft seal.
So it looks like I owe a jelly donut to Copper...he called it correctly.

Cop, are you coming to a rally?

copper · April 28, 2015, 07:16:42 PM

I am not sure if I want any of my food "filled". No Pat family responsibilities prevent me or my wife from from venturing to far from home so a rally is out of the picture. i use my FJ as a commuter bike 99% of the time and get out a couple of times a year for an hour or two to blow out the carbon. i just hate the oil spot in my carport and parking space at work

FJmonkey · April 28, 2015, 08:25:20 PM

It is much nicer when your FJ is house trained...

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nagging oil leak