Down to fixing the last oil leak. It appears to be coming from the clutch arm on back of transmission housing. I had the rear main seal replaced about 3 years ago.
Any ideas on what to do/look for here? The picture attached is from left side of bike, it shows the kick start lever bottom left forefront, the oily mess of the pivot point of the clutch actuator lever, and behind it, the rubber driveshaft boot.
Thanks!
-Chris
I guess the first thing I would do is determine if it is engine oil or 90 wt. It is so dirty in that area I would clean it off really good and run it and see where it is coming from. Could be the rear tranny seal or coming from the top from the engine breather area.
1974 R90/6 built 9/73
1987 BMW K75S
1994 BMW R1100RS
1964 T100SR Triumph
1986 Honda XL600R
I cleaned it up a couple time last season. It always seems to be weeping from the little pushrod that enters the back of the case. It seems to come from there, runs down the pivot pin/bolt and drips. After a while it covers all around the pivot area of the lever and adjacent surfaces and makes the mess shown here.
I have not pulled the clutch arm apart yet. I was thinking that it could be that seal, perhaps the felt ring inner side (#2 in diagram) I guess I need to pull apart and check. Where is the oil actually migrating from? what is on the other side of the case that would have oil enough to leak down this rod?
Also... #7 in the diagram show a rubber boot. It's difficult to see in the picture I attached here, but it is there. It is pushed to the right against the clutch arm itself.
I would think it is supposed to be pushed to the left so it would protect the seal (#2 in diagram) right now its orientation leaves me scratching my head as to it's function. Anyone have a pic of how there boot sits?
That push rod goes through the transmission input shaft to hit the pressure plate, so there is 90 wt in the case splashing around. Item 2 looks like a good candidate, also item 6 which is a gasket ring. That rubber bellows is more of a dust cover I don't think it really seals that much.
1974 R90/6 built 9/73
1987 BMW K75S
1994 BMW R1100RS
1964 T100SR Triumph
1986 Honda XL600R
It wouldn't be motor oil there. It could be the boot, as it might be driveshaft oil. There is no seal on that side of the driveshaft.
I thought I heard someone say once that if the trans output seal was bad, driveshaft oil would migrate to the trans. You might want to pull the fill plug to the trans to see if oil comes out and it's overfull, but still the boot should seal it up and keep the outside dry.
I too was thinking maybe the tranny got filled with extra fluid, like water. How is the condition of the speedo boot on the right top side of the transmission. Was the bike stored outside or inside, have you been using a high pressure washer to clean? Pulling the filler plug like Seth suggested may give us a few more clues.
1974 R90/6 built 9/73
1987 BMW K75S
1994 BMW R1100RS
1964 T100SR Triumph
1986 Honda XL600R
The bike is always parked in the garage, the speedo boot is new last year, I never use a power washer either. I will check the trans oil though.The leak was was more a weeping a couple years ago but last season it started leak a bit more and am sure it will only get worse. I have stopped all my other leaks except this one. Neutral safety switch leak, pushrod leaks and leak around heads all gone! I'm leaning toward the seal Seth mentioned above it is definitely coming from that area.
My dad always told me to check the easy things first. The seals on the throw-out are the easiest so it makes sense to start there. Also, just check the clamps on the boot before going after the boot itself. If you have to replace the boot, you'll have to pull the swingarm back and disconnect the driveshaft so you might as well pull back the trans and lube the splines on the trans input shaft.
