xj550 oil leak help.

I've actually managed to track down the source of my annoying and shoe destroying oil leak on my xj. It's the seal on the crankshaft under the timing cover. Unfortunately it appears the stock replacement requires splitting the case, but from what I've gathered from another thread on here is that the seal can be replaced by one that doesn't require opening up the motor. I'm hoping someone can point me to a part number or provide dimensions?

 

Try a PM to whoever suggested that was possible or maybe bump that thread. I have my case split right now and if this is the seal in question I have my doubts it can be done.
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Yes it can be done without splitting the case. My XJ11 has a similar type seal. The hardest part is getting the old one out without damaging the case. I put drywall screws in the old seal and used a claw hammer to pull it out. Be real careful not to run them in too much or you will damage the case.
PM our parts guru Chacal, he probably has a seal that will work.

 

We've had two members over the past five years do it successfully on 550s. I just don't remember who.

Dave, the seal that's in there (the one in the pic) should have some numbers on it. What are they?

 

The numbers are:

C6 S 32 45 7*8-L HS

 

Thanks for the photo! Yes it looks like it would be hard to remove, I believe that is called a "collared" seal, and can be replaced with a non-collared one to avoid splitting the case. I was reading some previous threads here about the same seal, but no one listed specs for size, I think I'd need inside diameter, outside diameter and the length of the seal....if you don't mind and have a pair of calipers

Otherwise I have to order one.

 

I don't have calipers.

 

We should be able to "decode" these and get the critical dimensions.

 

Hey you are right, I found out from another thread those numbers are dimensions 32x45x7.3mm is what was posted for an xj550

 

Great success! I ended up using National Seal part #223230 which is available at O'Reilly's and is listed as a camshaft seal for a car. I measured it with my calipers to be 32mm ID , 45mm OD and 7.8mm wide. I marred the ever living bejesus out of the case and crank getting the old seal out but the new one went in just fine.

I had to do it twice, I didn't pound it in deep enough the first time and it leaked but it's bone dry now. I did of course get pulled over testing it the second time.... :roll:

 

Cool. A good bit of info.

 

Maybe we should drill some holes in that crank to fix it up LOL (j/k)

 

Hey, I should try that out as well. The shift shaft seal leaks a little worse on my 900, but the crackshaft seal needs done as well.

 

Hey I don't recommend anyone else try this until I get it sorted out- I think the type of seal I used wasn't correct....it started leaking after around 1,000 miles and when I tried to pound it in further the seal taco'd and now it leaks really bad. The old seal had a wide metal band and the new one just had like a thin spring--if anyone has any ideas I'm definitely listening

 

As some of you might have suspected, but I was ignorant of, my problem was not that my original oil seal failed, it was that it wore a groove into the crankshaft (50,000 mile bike). I don't think a product like a speedi-sleeve will work without splitting the case, and since my bike is nearing the end of its natural life I am planning to rig up some sort of catch-can or other way to divert the leaking oil from the shifter.