I have been chasing an oil issue with the primary chaincase whereby I was finding more oil in it than I had put in.
I removed the cover, all the clutch innards, gave everything a thorough clean and then left it overnight. Following morning there is a small amount of oil in the bottom of the chaincase. First thought was it what just was left on the chain etc. running down, so I cleaned again.
Next day more oil.
So now I remove the clutch / primary / sprocket and give everything a good clean. Next morning, there is more oil but nothing from the crankase oil seal. So finally I remove the chain tensioner, and now I know where the oil is coming from!
Removing the screws completely and oil pours out, (Yes I do have a wet sumping issue), so it is leakage from the crankcase around the screws holding the tensioner.
Is this normal? Do I just need to get some wellseal or similar around the screws as I put them in?
I think my Electra...
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Oil leaks past threads
Hi Tony,
No matter what the tension, oil will always pass through a straight thread joint. The exception are tapered thread joints. There the tapered screw eventually jams so tight in the nut that an oil or gas tight seal is achieved.
You could try relying on the 'tapered' part of the slipper stud. This is the transition from thread to plain. Both studs must be tightened securely into the crankcase as far as possible using a pair of lock nuts on the outer end of the stud. Risks chewing the aluminium and leaving the studs projecting into the crankcase.
Much better is to use one of the Loc n' Seal products on the stud thread, cleaning the crankcase and stud first. And then screw the studs fully home.
On Lightweights some cylinder holding stud threads are not blind threads. To stop oil migrating up the threads and out either at the top washer, or on Jubilee at point where studs are exposed on cylinder. Use the Loc n' Seal.
Are those three countersunk screws securing primary inner case to crankcase blind or through threads? Not sure.
The post supporting gear selector forks on early gearbox is another example.
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Hi, OK, an obvious problem…
Hi,
OK, an obvious problem I have here is that I do not have studs, just bolts.
I will make up a couple of studs and loctite them in, that should solve the problem.
Thanks for the swift responses.
Tony
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... was doing similar as one of the tensioner studs was very loose. I've refitted both studs with a coating of RTV which will hopefully solve the problem. As you have found, the holes go straight through to the crankcase.