Oil leak at clutch slave cylinder

[SkyRide]

I did some maintenance on my 83 including bleeding the clutch.  While trying to get the air out, I removed the slave cylinder without disconnecting the hose so I could observe the piston move.  That all ended well and the clutch works fine.

But now I have engine oil leaking slowly from the slave cylinder housing while the engine is running.  From what I can tell, the only oil seal is the one in the slave piston; it fits over the push rod.  It that supposed to keep oil from escaping around the rod?  Is there another seal?

I also changed oil using the recommended volume but didn't check the dip stick.  After leaking a 6" diameter puddle plus whatever leaked while I was riding 2 miles, the dipstick shows maximum level.  I overfilled the crankcase.  Would that cause it to leak until the level gets back to normal.

I'm waiting for the engine to cool enough to work on.

Rick Frankenberger

[SkyRide]

Drained some oil; still leaked
Replaced the oil seal in the slave cylinder; still leaked.
Ordered the seal that is in the slave housing and around the push rod; I'll know more Thursday.

Rick

[Smoked U]

Greetings.

Welcome to the world of the leaking clutch push rod seal.

If it is in fact engine oil, you have a bad seal around the clutch push rod. Bad news is this seal is pressed into place from the inside of the engine case. Good news is here is a fix someone figured out that is relatively quick and easy for a minimum amount of money and it doesn't require changing the seal this go round.

http://www.v4market.com/Clutch-Rod-Leak-Repair_p_116.html#

Better hurry Rick, MOOTMaG is upon you.

[SkyRide]

Thanks so much Dave.

I took the seal out of my parts bike by completely destroying it and was about to do the same to my "good" bike.  I was standing there with the new oil seal in one hand and an assortment of Inquisition instruments in the other when I read your post.  None of the manuals give much of a hint, but the seal definitely installs from the inside.  If I had removed it, there would be no chance to use the repair kit you found.

I ordered one of the kits, but since they only ship USPS it won't arrive before Mon or Tue.

It is going to be close getting it ready before MOOTMag, but Lawrence has offered me an backup plan that I may have to use.  At any rate, I'll be there Wednesday.

Rick

[SkyRide]

The heat shrink arrived while I as at Moot Mag riding Lawrence's bike.  THANKS AGAIN Lawrence.

It did not shrink properly and in fact split lengthwise.  I ordered replacements because I didn't look forward the doing it the hard way.  The next try at shrinking worked as described.  It slowed the leak, but didn't stop it.

I guess I'll get out the dremmel and go to work slotting the retainer enough to get the old one out but without destroying the lip too much to hold the new seal.  It will have to wait until I get back from a grandkids (and daughter) visit in mid August.

Rick

[Smoked U]

I got an idea. Why don't you get some regular shrink tubing and double shrink it to increase the diameter of the rod further just as a test to see if it will seal the leak. If this works, cut the test material off and try two layers of the real good stuff.

How 'bout some of this stuff.

http://www.wirecare.com/heatshrink-tubing.asp

[SkyRide]

I tried your double-your-pleasure, double-your-fun idea.  It made a  pretty tight fit around the rod, but I still have the leak.

I'm beginning to think it isn't leaking around the push rod.  The rubber between the push rod and the OD of the seal is pretty wrinkled.  I think that is where the leak must be.

Rick

[Smoked U]

I tried your double-your-pleasure, double-your-fun idea.  It made a  pretty tight fit around the rod, but I still have the leak.

I'm beginning to think it isn't leaking around the push rod.  The rubber between the push rod and the OD of the seal is pretty wrinkled.  I think that is where the leak must be.

Rick

Well, that's a beast.

[SkyRide]

I'm a happy camper now.  I took advantage of the cooler mornings we have been having to grind a notch in the seal retaining lip and put in a new seal.  I went for a ride today and there is no leak at all.

I am a "little" obsessive about not causing a bad situation to get worse, so I modified the procedure a little:
1. I blew air into the dipstick hole to flush shavings away from the engine.
2. I used an oscillating multitool to do the rough cutting and then finished up with the dremel.
3. I cut a wood dowel to put where the push rod goes.  The length was just to the edge of the old seal.

I can't say if any of these were necessary or even helpful but it made me feel better.

Let's ride,
Rick

[Smoked U]

Congratulations, Rick. I know that felt good.

[TLRam1]

I am with you on your procedures.

[lragan]

Wow, Rick  Good news.  I must say I am impressed.  Also need to ride some, but am in the middle of preparing and painting the barn.  Probably another two weeks, if all goes well.  Will send you an e-mail when I break free.