engine oil seals

[n fletcher]

The left hand (timing end) oil seal on the end of the crank on my 1983 XS1100s (5K7) has started to leak.

Is this seal lipped into the crank cases, requiring crank case splitting to renew? If this is the case, is it possible to cut off the seal lip and drive the seal in conventionally, with perhaps a sealant/glue around the outer edge?

Realise this is not perfect but don't want to split a good engine for a £5 seal!

Anybody done this repair?

[strom]

The dealer sent me a wrong seal, so I installed the old one back, when putting the thing back together. It leaks, so I'll have to replace it.

I don't even know if it can be replaced without splitting the crankcase. But if it can... tell tell tell... I don't wanna do that again!!!

LP

[uk1.1s]

Sorry folks,

Can't help too much here with cunning plans - have split the crankcases on my XS a few of times now first for loss of fifth gear (long story) then a shattered clutch basket which needed a thorough clean out of all the wayward ally swarf. It's quite a job, but not ridiculously complicated.

Seem to remember that the seal you mentioned was lipped, and I'd advise that you really have to split the cases to refit properly. There again, I split the engine to sort out the gear clusters - and I have since learner the trick of operating from below through the sump plate.

Maybe someone here can give you the quick fix option. At worst I think you can split the engine without taking the head and cylinders off - but I've always done it the hard way in ignorance.

Good luck

[MartyA]

In my Clymers for 1978-1981 XS11, pg. 106, it looks like there are two grooves that fit into lips on the lower case, and a lip on the seal that appears to hold it in.

Hope this helps.