Oil leak - small

[sh00ter]

Hey All -

As I'm tooling around the bike I've noticed (after cleaning it up, riding then looking it over again) there is a small oil leak on what looks like the back of the water/oil pump.   There are 2 connectors on this component, and it looks like the oil is either coming out of one of them at the threads or running down the wires from the hole where the wires originate.   The leak isn't terrible, after a hard day riding, maybe a few drips, wet to the touch, etc. No noticeable drop in oil levels.   Any ideas the issue without tearing apart further?  Is it worth even fixing at this point given how small it is?    The oil I drained out was clean (i.e. no water) and so is the water in the reservoir. (no oil)

Here are some photos:

This is where most of the oil collects (it's also the lowest point)


with the cover off, is this a water or oil temp sensor I assume?


shot up into the hole where the wires originate


here's a shot before i wiped it down



One last question is it is very slightly wet around the oil level window.  This normal?  I assume it's a beeeeeitch to change ?


Thanks!

[motodude]

Sight glass is easy to fix. 

Some folks use a punch to break it or drill a hole.  I use a soldering iron to melt a hole in it, then insert a screw driver and pry it out.  Fewer flying bits that way.  The new one just taps in (use a large socket, etc).

Tom

[frankenduck]

Yes, that's the temp sensor.  Do not overtighten it or it will tear apart.  The correct torque is 9 Nm.

Making a hole and then using a corkscrew also works.

[sh00ter]

Yes, that's the temp sensor.  Do not overtighten it or it will tear apart.  The correct torque is 9 Nm.

Do you reckon just tightening the temp sensor would clean it up?  Is there somewhere further up it could be leaking or is that the likely culprit?

Making a hole and then using a corkscrew also works.

Thank you!

[sh00ter]

Some folks use a punch to break it or drill a hole.  I use a soldering iron to melt a hole in it, then insert a screw driver and pry it out.  Fewer flying bits that way.  The new one just taps in (use a large socket, etc).

Cheers - thanks!

[frankenduck]

If you don't have water and oil mixing then I wouldn't worry about it.

[sh00ter]

Hey All -

As I'm tooling around the bike I've noticed (after cleaning it up, riding then looking it over again) there is a small oil leak on what looks like the back of the water/oil pump. 

This is where most of the oil collects (it's also the lowest point)

Bringing this horse back to life.  Cleaned it up real nice, and changed the oil pressure switch.  Still leaks.  Best I can tell it leaks from somewhere within the hole where the wires for the water & oil sensors come out, then runs down the wires into the boots for those sensors, etc.

What is up there in that hole?  The back of the oil/water pump?  Could it just be the seal where the pump attaches to the motor or more likely a bearing/bushing on said pump?  Not having had that particular part apart yet, I'm just curious for speculation on what a possible culprit might be.

thanks!

[frankenduck]

Suppose it could be just bad sealing between the pump housing and the front of the engine.  There's no seal there per se, just two flat metal surfaces with some gasket compound to seal things.

[Inge K.]

Hey Shooter!
Check post #287 in this thread. It`s also info about the pump both in front and after this post that might be useful to you.

Inge K.

[sh00ter]

Suppose it could be just bad sealing between the pump housing and the front of the engine.  There's no seal there per se, just two flat metal surfaces with some gasket compound to seal things.

Hey Shooter!
Check post #287 in this thread. It`s also info about the pump both in front and after this post that might be useful to you.

Inge K.

Thanks folks - I'm going to let it be, I think it's just that seal between the two - i'll just wait until I decide to rebuild the pump or it gets appreciably worse.  Time to stop looking for trouble and ride !   

[sh00ter]

Suppose it could be just bad sealing between the pump housing and the front of the engine.  There's no seal there per se, just two flat metal surfaces with some gasket compound to seal things.

Hey frankenduck; could i "fix" this without refurbing the whole pump?  Would you just do the pump if you tore it that far apart anyway?

[Inge K.]

could i "fix" this without refurbing the whole pump?

If it ain`t broke, don`t fix it.......if you got a leak problem with your pump shaft seals later on, it`s easy to remove.

Got a leak between pump and sump ~20 years ago on my oldest K, did fix this leak without any other dismantling........pump still functioning without a leak from the shaft seals (or elsewhere).

But did try 3 or 4 different sealants without succes, before ending up with Permatex Black RTV.

Inge K.

[sh00ter]

could i "fix" this without refurbing the whole pump?

If it ain`t broke, don`t fix it.......if you got a leak problem with your pump shaft seals later on, it`s easy to remove.

Got a leak between pump and sump ~20 years ago on my oldest K, did fix this leak without any other dismantling........pump still functioning without a leak from the shaft seals (or elsewhere).

But did try 3 or 4 different sealants without succes, before ending up with Permatex Black RTV.

Inge K.

Update - I cleaned the living you know what out of the engine, then road, idled it with a flashlight.  I can see seepage where the oil pan bolts on to the bottom of the engine; that should be simple enough.   I can also see it weeping from where the oil pump bolts to the engine.   

Question is can the pump be removed and replaced without having to replace any seals or o-rings (assuming they're in good shape?)
I'm hoping to take it off, clean it, re-gasket it, then go on about my business without having to buy parts.

[frankenduck]

Question is can the pump be removed and replaced without having to replace any seals or o-rings (assuming they're in good shape?)
I'm hoping to take it off, clean it, re-gasket it, then go on about my business without having to buy parts.

Yes.