Should I be worried?

[paczowski123]

Today I went to install my zero lightened flywheel and when I pulled the flywheel cover there was what looked like oil on the bottom side of the flywheel cover...should I be worries about crank seals? The ski always ran fine and never gave me Any trouble..but I wasn't sure if that was supposed to be in there?

Note: I did sink my ski a while back over the summer, and there is what looks like grease slung all over the inside of the housing...it wasn't blue it was a brown color just like the grease residue? Maybe grease/water??

 

[ProSouth]

Clean it up, install, ride, check again. I usually grease up the front cover gasket and the starter oring to help keep water out.

 

[paczowski123]

Yeah I figured so...the motor has very low hrs..but..it is old so I wasn't sure...thanks man!

 

[TheBuzzard]

oil in the front cover means the crank seals are leaking, unless its a kawi and some idiot thought that where a quart of oil was supposed to go.

 

[paczowski123]

Will a ski run fine with a bad crank seal?

 

[ProSouth]

It does look like an oil fill.... Hope I didn't under service some kawis back in the day.

 

[TheBuzzard]

they are worn out and leaking. i've seen the rear seal hanging clear out and a local still riding. the front seal isnt as obvious since the cover doesnt make it a direct air leak. time to split the cases. if you know what you are doing, you can just flip the motor over and replace the seals without taking the top end off

 

[paczowski123]

I'm pretty sure I just realized what it was...a few days ago when I initially pulled the cover I sprayed brake cleaner around the edges inside to clean it up...I'm thinking it's the grease mixed with brake cleaner...being as I was cleaning it up just now and once I let it sit..the same residue was built up again in the cover..because it wasn't there when I pulled it a few days ago...same smell color and consistency

 

[ticega306]

Cheap insurance to change out those crank seals, so that's what I would do.

If you do decide to close it back up and ride, make sure to clean the whole area well then check for oil/residue after a short while. Failed front crank deals are harder to detect, but oil/residue behind the flywheel cover is usually a clear sign.

Btw: OEM only for crank seal replacements, if you do end up changing them.

 

[paczowski123]

Well the reason I'm hesitant is because I've already assembled my engine...and being as I've never done them I don't think I'd try doing it the way of just pulling the bottom case...I will pressure test it before running it

 

[paczowski123]

I've been looking around and read of some doing a leak down with negative pressure (vacuum pump)..can this be done just to test for leaks?? I know I couldn't find them until I positively pressurized the case..but at the moment I just have a mityvac for negative pressure..can I use that just to verify it holds pressure and if not move forward with getting the stuff to positively pressurize it?

 

[amitchell]

Its easy to make a leak down tester, heres mine, all bought at Napa.
Attach Schrader end to bike pump and barbed end to pulse line.

 

[paczowski123]

That's what I needed a picture of a simple tool...most I've seen online involve crazy extravagant pumps and valves and what not..that seems simple enough to build!

 

[Mdavies_02]

And I used Hot Tub / Spa jet plugs on both intakes, and FP manifold.

Saves trying to rig something up and cost under $30

If you have a Popoff Tester that will work also instead of the valve rig above

 

[paczowski123]

And I used Hot Tub / Spa jet plugs on both intakes, and FP manifold.

Saves trying to rig something up and cost under $30

Yeah I planned on using a plumbing test plug..but didn't want to spend a fortune on brass, valves, and pumps for a quick tester!

 

[amitchell]

I use Dorman rubber expansion plugs (Auto store) for intake and exhaust manifolds to seal them off.

 

[Mdavies_02]

All the same stuff it seems

 

[GaSs_ZA]

I use Dorman rubber expansion plugs (Auto store) for intake and exhaust manifolds to seal them off.

How do you Plug the Intake Manifolds with those expansion Plugs? Any chance you have some photos of your setup?

Thanks

 

[ProSouth]

How do you Plug the Intake Manifolds with those expansion Plugs? Any chance you have some photos of your setup?

Thanks

Leave the intake manifold on, shove it in the circular hole where the carb bolts on

 

[paczowski123]

How do you Plug the Intake Manifolds with those expansion Plugs? Any chance you have some photos of your setup?

Thanks

Or filet a tire tube and lay it over the carb port only cutting holes for it to slide over the carb studs and bolt the carb back over it!