Triumphrat

Hey guys,

Had an oil leak that seemed to be coming from the crank cover on the right (brake) side. Ordered the gasket from dealer ($7), drained oil, replaced filter, removed crank cover, scraped old gasket, applied gasket sealant, placed gasket, applied more sealant and then replaced cover. I then filled with 4qt. of oil and waited ~1hr. When I tried to start the bike, the engine made a strange clicking noise that I assumed was because of the fact that the bike had sat for a few days before the oil change and that when the oil moved around the engine, this would stop. It ran (weak) for ~5sec. and then quit. After that, the engine wouldn't start. It sounds similar to when you try to turn the bike over with the kickstand down (no combustion).

Since then, I have removed about ~0.4qt of oil to bring the level down to the sight glass. Could the excess oil have fouled the spark plugs. The only other thing I can think of is that when I tightened the cover I had to wipe a little bit of the gasket sealant that had squeezed out. Is it possible that some of the excess sealant could have fouled the ignition pickup sensor inside the cover? I'm not sure how robust the mechanism is inside the crank cover.

In addition, the bike has a new batter with a fresh charge.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
jjortega :???:

mdbauer

I was accomplishing my 6,000 mile check and had to adjust my exhaust valves and instead of turning the rear wheel I removed the crank cover to turn over the engine.
When I started to put the cover back on I did the same thing that you did. I used my finger to put the sealant around the case and cover and some of the sealant got on that sensor. I had to clean the sensor. I did not use any sealant on the cover just the gasket. The bike started after that. hope this helps.
Mike

Thanks mdbauer,

A couple of questions:

1) I couldn't tell from your post, but did yours not start after you buttoned the whole thing up the first time? If not...

2) Were you able to remove the crankcase cover without draining all of the oil (to clean the sensor)?

3) Were you able to reuse the gasket after you removed the cover (to clean the sensor)?

4) What type of sealant did you use?

Thank you,
jjortega

mdbauer

Hello jjortega,
When I first triied starting the bike it would not run right. it did start but than quit. It back fired.. than quit

2. yes, you can remove the cover with out draining the oil. However you must center the bike. I put mine on a jack. you will get a little oil out if the case just get a rag and wipe it out.

3. Be careful cleaning the sensor I used alcohol swabs to clean the sensor. I found a very small amount of sealant
on the sensor. when you are looking at the sensor you will see two metal pickup tabs clean both of them.

4. I bought a new gasket for this job. However, when I removed the cover the second time I reused the same gasket. If you placed a new gasket on it the first time for your leak you should be ok as long as the gasket is not oil soaked. The sealant will not stick to it. I used hylomar advanced gasket compound. It's blue. However, a hight temp rtv sealant will work. I put a very fine coat on the case and cover.
5. When you pull the cover off again take a look at the timming and timming chain just to make sure it's ok.
hope this helps

mike

So I took the timing cover off again yesterday and to my dismay, pulled out what seemed to be the timing sensor hanging from it's wire. It appears that the sensor was mounted to a metal bracket that was held in place by 2 torx screws. The plastic housing had cracked causing the sensor to fall loose. Judging from the damage to the sensor, it appears to have been knocked around by the timing wheel ever time I tried to start it. Not to mention the fact that I ripped the new gasket trying to pull the cover off.

What now? How can I be sure this doesn't happen again when after I replace the sensor? I don't believe that I touched the sensor when I replaced the gasket in the first place. Is there a certain way that the internal wire must be routed? Help me if you can.

Thanks,
jjortega

So I took the timing cover off again yesterday and to my dismay, pulled out what seemed to be the timing sensor hanging from it's wire. It appears that the sensor was mounted to a metal bracket that was held in place by 2 torx screws. The plastic housing had cracked causing the sensor to fall loose. Judging from the damage to the sensor, it appears to have been knocked around by the timing wheel ever time I tried to start it. Not to mention the fact that I ripped the new gasket trying to pull the cover off.

What now? How can I be sure this doesn't happen again when after I replace the sensor? I don't believe that I touched the sensor when I replaced the gasket in the first place. Is there a certain way that the internal wire must be routed? Help me if you can.

Thanks,
jjortega

mdbauer

jjortega,

The dealer may have a better parts brake down than what I'm looking at (service manual). The wiring looks to me like it is routed behind the mounting braket. when you install the new sensor and bracket be careful not to over tighten the mounting screws. maybe put a little lock tight on the screws. I might pull mine apart today and see if the mount on mine is cracked. I'll get back with you
mike