Oil leak from under ignition cover

[202wagon]

I tried the search function, but it kept coming up as "fatal error"! My '82 1100EZ has a small oil leak coming from under the ignition cover(right side)...my r/s boot has oil on it after a long ride. Is this a common place for an oil leak? Crank seal? I haven't even looked in the shop manual yet...figured I'd get a faster response here (in other words i'm kind of being lazy). TIA

[Nessism]

Not common. Crank seal would be my guess.

[mike_of_bbg]

Yep, likely the crank seal. BTW, it's been said that the seal should be installed with the metal side out (not as shown in my service manual anyway).

[BassCliff]

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[rapidray]

Call me at 714--356-7845. I specialize in the 1100s & 1150s & can help you. Ray.

[chef1366]

Is there oil inside the ignition chamber?

[Agemax]

Is there oil inside the ignition chamber?

if there is, your in trouble!

[chef1366]

if there is, your in trouble!

C'mon guy
If there is oil coming out of his ignition cover it is the crank seal.

[Agemax]

C'mon guy
If there is oil coming out of his ignition cover it is the crank seal.

thats what i meant

[TheCafeKid]

While I'm inclined to agree with everyone regarding the possibility of it being your crank seal, I'd suggest investigating further before going with it. Myself and many others have had small weeps around lower case bolts, or an oil pan gasket weep that when blown around by wind looks like it's coming from many different places. I'd suggest a good scrub down, wash the motor up, spread a lil talcum powder/diaper powder whatever (do everyone a favor and use some cocaine you lifted off the local dealer after pistol whipping him just don't breathe it in ) and let the motor run to see if you've got other minor leaks if you find that the seal isnt obviously leaking.

[202wagon]

It's definitely leaking from behind the ignition plate and coming out of the little weep hole in the bottom of the small ign. cover. The crank seal doesn't have a locating rib on the OD like some bikes do, does it? (cases must be split to change out the ribbed style crank seals). This looks to me like removing the ignition plate and seal should be directly behind it, no? Any tips/tricks/additional info would be helpful. This is pretty much the only oil leak on the bike (9100 miles)

[chef1366]

It's definitely leaking from behind the ignition plate and coming out of the little weep hole in the bottom of the small ign. cover. The crank seal doesn't have a locating rib on the OD like some bikes do, does it? (cases must be split to change out the ribbed style crank seals). This looks to me like removing the ignition plate and seal should be directly behind it, no? Any tips/tricks/additional info would be helpful. This is pretty much the only oil leak on the bike (9100 miles)

You do not have to split the cases.
Loosen the first couple of case bolts around the seal. Freeze the new seal.
Take out the old seal with a wood screw or similar.
With the cold seal put a little grease around it and use a large socket or PC pipe and pound it in. Get two in case you go in crooked the first time.

[bwringer]

To install the new seal, thread a long-ish 8mm bolt into the crank, and use a short piece of pipe or a large socket, along with a coupla washers and nuts, to press the seal in.

No need to pound it in (egads, how very uncivilized...) when you have a handy threaded hole to use.

FWIW, the manual specifies using a thin coat of case sealer on the OD of the new seal.

Also, yes, cranl seals do look like they install "backwards" with the metal side out. There's a tiny arrow on the seal showing the direction of rotation.

Guess how I learned this...

[chef1366]

To install the new seal, thread a long-ish 8mm bolt into the crank, and use a short piece of pipe or a large socket, along with a coupla washers and nuts, to press the seal in.

No need to pound it in (egads, how very uncivilized...) when you have a handy threaded hole to use.

FWIW, the manual specifies using a thin coat of case sealer on the OD of the new seal.

Also, yes, cranl seals do look like they install "backwards" with the metal side out. There's a tiny arrow on the seal showing the direction of rotation.

Guess how I learned this...

You know Brian I did do it this way the last time. I do believe I did a search and found a post by you.
Sorry for the caveman method.

[bellucci]

When you guys get our new buddy all squared away, tell me why my left boot is soaked with oil from a 10 mile ride on the street...man, am I getting good at these thread hijacks...