Right seal leak driving me INSANE

[RichV]

The left seal keeps failing on me and leaking. I'm on my fifth seal right now.

I put a "speedy sleeve" on when I noticed some pitting on the end of the shaft where the seal rides and that stopped it for about 1K miles. Now it's back.

I replaced the seal again today and it's still leaking. The oil is coming from around the shaft.

I guess I could have messed up the speedy seal. It will be a pain to remove and put on another one.

Does anyone have any idea what I can do, besides replace the crankshaft?

Could I be just getting crappy seals? The seals look okay when I remove them.

Could something be causing the oil to go through the seal? Oil level is okay and I just changed it.

[RichV]

LEFT seal is failing, not the right one.

[motoman]

The left seal keeps failing on me and leaking. I'm on my fifth seal right now.

I put a "speedy sleeve" on when I noticed some pitting on the end of the shaft where the seal rides and that stopped it for about 1K miles. Now it's back.

I replaced the seal again today and it's still leaking. The oil is coming from around the shaft.

I guess I could have messed up the speedy seal. It will be a pain to remove and put on another one.

Does anyone have any idea what I can do, besides replace the crankshaft?

Could I be just getting crappy seals? The seals look okay when I remove them.

Could something be causing the oil to go through the seal? Oil level is okay and I just changed it.

FWIW a seal saver/speedy seal Can and will leak between seal and shaft it is installed on. Plus the past twenty+ yrs. seal savers are NOT polished like a mirror like the used to be. Have had the samw issue in an automtive applicatuion. Not being polished like a mirror IS the issue.

[RichV]

FWIW a seal saver/speedy seal Can and will leak between seal and shaft it is installed on. Plus the past twenty+ yrs. seal savers are NOT polished like a mirror like the used to be. Have had the samw issue in an automtive applicatuion. Not being polished like a mirror IS the issue.

So I should polish it before or after installation? How would I do that?

Is there a way to stop leaking under the speedy sleeve? I really didn't notice any. Just the leak on the outside between the seal and sleeve.

[ViperRon]

There is a dual lip seal that Marty got me the part number for and that finally fixed my issue but it did not drive in tight. It sealed well to the shaft but did not hold well to the case and oil pressure would push it out I will find the tread I made and send to you. mine now has not leaked since I did the last repair.

[ViperRon]

Here is the process I went threw and I'll get you the seal part number tomorrow I think I still have it.

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Today I tested my fifth replacement of the left side main bearing seal. The day before I tested with my first of 2 duel lip seals I purchased. I cleaned out the 3rd seal I had replaced that was leaking with the high temp permatex sealant and put in the first dual lip seal. Cleaned every thing final cleaning with acetone on Q tip and put small amount of permatex blue sealant on the seal and let it get tacky. Put small bead of sealant in the recess where seal goes into and used a seal driver to tap the seal evenly in. Wiped off the thin smear of sealant around the seal and left to sit overnight. Yesterday cam in started bike on center stand fan running and allowed to warm up no leaks. Put bike in fast idle about 2000 rpms and allowed to run about 15 minutes not a drip. Reeved bike a few times to about 5000K and black smoke coming out at seal area. Took off mag pick ups and seal had been pushed out till it rubbed making smoke but not one drip of oil. Back to store got Indian head sealant and Permatex liquid metal filler. Cleaned out all old seal material as before put indian head sealant on seal to get tacky put bead of permatex blue into recess painted outer band of recess with Indian head sealant. Pushed seal 2/3 way in Painted Liquid metal filer on edge of seal and outer metal about 1/8 inch. Drove seal in tight and repainted with liquid metal filler about 1/8 inch onto seal and aluminum. Did 3 coats of Liquid metal filler. Let sit over night.


For the first time ran the bike near an Hour at 3000 Rpms Fan on of course reeved engine run it hard up and down road no leaks no problems have my legs crossed this time. And yes I have checked for slack in bearing in all directions and there is none tight solid so its not crank or bearing that give problem but oil pressure pushing the seal

[bikerphil]

I had a slight leak once under the LS ignition cover, I just RTV'd the cover on so it would not leak on my foot. The oil just stayed in the cover and didn't hurt anything. Out of sight, out of mind. Probably not the answer you are looking for, just a temporary solution.

[ViperRon]

Yes Bikerphil that would have worked till I took my original out but then I was into it so I got three of these on Ebay and went trough the process I listed above Metric Oil Shaft Seal 32 x 48 x 8 32x48x8 32mm x 48mm x 8mm Double Lip

( 151127492356 ) and so far the last one put in with the Indianhead sealer has stayed where I put it.

Seamed I either got a seal that deformed around shaft when I drove it in or did not have enough grip on the case and just slid out under pressure.

My motor is a 1980 G different models may do better or worse as some just bang one in and done did not work for me I like getting more than 1000 miles out of a can of oil. Yep leaked that bad for a while and I think would have filled the left side cover after a while if I sealed it up.

[bikerphil]

I think would have filled the left side cover after a while if I sealed it up.

For a while, I was thinking of putting a drain screw in the cover so I could drain it out once in a while when on the sidestand.

The factory seal has a metal lip for a reason, so it will stay put and not shift around.

[motoman]

So I should polish it before or after installation? How would I do that?

Is there a way to stop leaking under the speedy sleeve? I really didn't notice any. Just the leak on the outside between the seal and sleeve.

With it on and motor running, polish it to a mirror finish with really fine crocus ckith. Would be hoping your replacing seal with new one every time also.

[RichV]

With it on and motor running, polish it to a mirror finish with really fine crocus ckith. Would be hoping your replacing seal with new one every time also.

I've replaced it 5 times now. The engine can't run with the ignition pickups removed. Can I do this using the starter motor?

Can I just polish the sleeve before I install it? Is there a way to make sure it's installed correctly?

[RichV]

There is a drain hole at the bottom of the seal housing. If that gets plugged with RTV what would the results be? I don't think it was plugged but I guess it's possible. Could the new seal be blocking it?

If this hole is blocked could the oil from the outer bearing get pushed out the seal?

[CaptonZap]

Why is there enough crankcase pressure to push the seal out?
CZ

[RichV]

Why is there enough crankcase pressure to push the seal out?
CZ

I don't know if there is enough pressure to do anything. However, the oil gets past the seal so there has to be positive pressure to push it through. Normally, this pressure should be released through the drain hole at the bottom of the seal housing. I used the RTV to hold the seal in place and that worked.

Oil is pushed around the bearings and "leaks" out both sides. The oil on the side of the seal is the oil that leaks out the seal. A LOT of oil (several ounces) came out yesterday so I'm thinking I may have plugged the drain hole with RTV.

[BA80]

I don't know if there is enough pressure to do anything. However, the oil gets past the seal so there has to be positive pressure to push it through. Normally, this pressure should be released through the drain hole at the bottom of the seal housing. I used the RTV to hold the seal in place and that worked.

Oil is pushed around the bearings and "leaks" out both sides. The oil on the side of the seal is the oil that leaks out the seal. A LOT of oil (several ounces) came out yesterday so I'm thinking I may have plugged the drain hole with RTV.

Drain hole?????

Check and make sure your crank case vent isn't plugged or obstructed in any way.