3rd Gen Magna Clutch "Lifter Rod" Seal Leaking

MagnaMikeD · December 06, 2014, 12:42:08 PM

OK, I've used the search function, but cannot come up with anything on the 3rd Gen Magna clutch lifter rod seal. My seal is leaking enough to accumulate on the cover. Its not catastrophic yet but doing my research. Has anyone replaced one before? Can I just pull out the old one and tap in the new one? Or, does it require cracking the case if it is installed from the inside? Check out the pics for location. Its behind the drive sprocket cover on the left side of bike.

195,000 miles and still rolling!!

TLRam1 · December 06, 2014, 06:57:41 PM

Mike many of those are put on from the outside and you can just find a way to pull that one out and install a new one, pretty common on bikes.

Some kind of hook might work, if metal on the outside, a sheet metal screw might work, think along those lines. If put on from the inside the case or cover will have to come off/apart.

hootmon · December 06, 2014, 09:02:56 PM

Is there a way you can just re-direct the leak a little so it auto oils the chain for you?? LOL..
Only 195K and you have an oil leak.. I wish Honda made a better bike!!! LOL

TLRam1 · December 06, 2014, 10:37:30 PM

Forget what I said I like the auto oiler better.

SkyRide · December 06, 2014, 11:08:27 PM

I had the same leak on my 1st gen. Yours looks different but the heat shrink fix might work better for you than it did for me. Search for Oil leak at clutch slave cylinder

My seal installs from the inside, but I found instructions for grinding off the lip and installing a new seal from the outside. It is scary, but worked great.

Rick Frankenberger

hootmon · December 07, 2014, 08:32:32 AM

Mike,
Have you pulled out your Lifter rod yet? - You need to make sure the seal surface on the rod is still good as well..
Let us know how it turns out..

MagnaMikeD · December 07, 2014, 03:47:52 PM

Quote from: hootmon on December 06, 2014, 09:02:56 PM
Is there a way you can just re-direct the leak a little so it auto oils the chain for you?? LOL..
Only 195K and you have an oil leak.. I wish Honda made a better bike!!! LOL

Yes, Hootmon, I have been very fortunate with this bike and the service it has given me.
Mike

MagnaMikeD · December 07, 2014, 03:52:07 PM

Quote from: hootmon on December 07, 2014, 08:32:32 AM
Mike,
Have you pulled out your Lifter rod yet? - You need to make sure the seal surface on the rod is still good as well..
Let us know how it turns out..

The surface of the rod is pretty good. I hate to polish it and cause it to leak worse.
Mike

MagnaMikeD · December 07, 2014, 03:56:30 PM

Quote from: SkyRide on December 06, 2014, 11:08:27 PM
I had the same leak on my 1st gen. Yours looks different but the heat shrink fix might work better for you than it did for me. Search for Oil leak at clutch slave cylinder

My seal installs from the inside, but I found instructions for grinding off the lip and installing a new seal from the outside. It is scary, but worked great.

Rick Frankenberger

Rick,
I like the idea of heatshrink. I've been racking my brain for a way to build up the surface of the rod. I guess worst case is pulling the seal, and if the engine case does have a lip, grind it off and install the new seal. Then maybe some good old JB Weld?!
Mike

SkyRide · December 07, 2014, 04:55:20 PM

Mike,

The heat shrink is inexpensive; I would order two so you can put on a second coat in case one is not thick enough.

Pull the push rod our and turn it around. Mine was symmetrical so I got a new surface against the seal.

If it comes to replacing the seal, I have some good pics and notes of how I did it

Rick.

hootmon · December 07, 2014, 06:01:26 PM

Quote from: MagnaMikeD on December 07, 2014, 03:56:30 PM
Then maybe some good old JB Weld?!
Mike

Mike - instead of JB Weld, I'd go with Loctite Sleeve Retainer - Not quite what it's made for, but should work in this application

Loctite Sleeve Retainer

Or we use this for our seals in the marine Industry on Gear Cases..

PRO Gasket Sealer

Lurkin · December 09, 2014, 09:16:27 AM

I can't offer anything more then what everyone else has, but, 195,000 miles!!! Now you are just showing off!

MagnaMikeD · December 12, 2014, 02:38:32 PM

Quote from: hootmon on December 07, 2014, 06:01:26 PM
Quote from: MagnaMikeD on December 07, 2014, 03:56:30 PM
Then maybe some good old JB Weld?!
Mike
,

Mike - instead of JB Weld, I'd go with Loctite Sleeve Retainer - Not quite what it's made for, but should work in this application

Loctite Sleeve Retainer

Or we use this for our seals in the marine Industry on Gear Cases..

PRO Gasket Sealer

Great idea.

MagnaMikeD · December 12, 2014, 02:41:21 PM

Quote from: SkyRide on December 07, 2014, 04:55:20 PM
Mike,

The heat shrink is inexpensive; I would order two so you can put on a second coat in case one is not thick enough.

Pull the push rod our and turn it around. Mine was symmetrical so I got a new surface against the seal.

If it comes to replacing the seal, I have some good pics and notes of how I did it

Rick.

I'll try turning it around. Thanks Rick.

MagnaMikeD · December 12, 2014, 02:47:03 PM

Quote from: Lurkin on December 09, 2014, 09:16:27 AM
I can't offer anything more then what everyone else has, but, 195,000 miles!!! Now you are just showing off!

Hi Lurking,
Its taken 13 years of commuting to get here. And, man, what a reliable machine the Magna is. Sometimes I think the bike is over-engineered. Very good for us users.
Mike