Crankshaft Seal

[RichV]

Well it's me again. I'm sure by now all of you are tired of me asking my questions. The responses I get are very helpful and have saved me a great deal of time and money. I've never torn a bike down this far and put it back together so this is an invaluable learning experience.

I installed new crankshaft seals when I put the engine back together and went on my merry way thinking all was well. Today while riding, oil got on my left boot. Apparently the left seal is leaking.

I installed a new replacement seal Yamaha PN 93101-32144. All I did was tap it into the space where the old one was with a little grease to help it along. luckily I have two more due to a duplicate order so replacing it is not an issue.l

So... Did I use the right seal for my 81 XS1100SH? Is there a right and wrong way to install it? Could I have put it in backwards?

It didn't start leaking until today so it held for a while. I took the pickup off and confirmed that it is leaking. I also saw a small dot of oil on the right side as well so I may have made the mistake (what ever it was) on both sides.

Thanks again for the help.

[bikerphil]

The seal goes in with the numbers stamped on it facing out. Many times it will leak around the outer surface that mates with the engine case. Always apply some RTV to the outer surface before tapping it into place. Also check the O ring on that gally plug just below the left ignition cover, can leak from there too.

[RichV]

Thanks, I went ahead and removed the existing seals and RTV'ed them into place. They came out easy. I reused the left one and replaced the right with an extra seal.

I seem to remember replacing the o-ring on that plug. If it continues to leak, I'll give it a look.

Thanks again for the great help.

[trbig]

You might have some movement of the crank causing the crank seals to leak. Makes me wonder if both sides are seeping a bit. If you grab the crank, you'll probable have a little bit of in/out movement, but up/down side/side should be zero. If it moves at all, new crank bearings will soon be on your horizon.

[jetmechmarty]

If it moves at all, new crank bearings will soon be on your horizon.

Tod,
How do you get bearings for this thing?

[trbig]

Tod,
How do you get bearings for this thing?

A lot of Yamaha shops still have the bearings and you can find them on Ebay. I bought a complete set of the conrod bearings once, but have never seen a bad one, so I quit replacing them on rebuilds.

[RichV]

I don't think the problem is the bearings. I gauged them when I had the case split.

I apparently damaged the seal when I removed it. To be expected but I though I would be "lucky".

Anyone have a good source for these left seals on the 81 SH?

[trbig]

I found a place with them cheap a long while ago and bought quite a few, so no help with a source, but just letting you know that the seals are the same for all years/models.

I've had good luck using these. They are a double lipped seal, so they aren't riding in the same spot the original seal's lip did, possible cutting into the crank slightly from grit riding there.

[RichV]

Thanks. I actually found a local source and order two of them.

[RichV]

Well I got my first seal in today and installed it. It still leaks but not as bad as before. It still messes up my boot with oil.

So I need to know if anyone has instructions on how to install this seal without damaging it. I link to the post is fine if it's been down before (I looked but could not find it).

I still have a seal on the way and I don't want to screw this up again. The right seal is doing fine and there is no play in the crankshaft. So I must be installing it in wrong.