A little piddle ... Oh No!

Good Morning Gents!

Ive got an 82 XJ650, that i bought last year after watching too much "American Chopper", and convinced myself that i could get anything to run.

Long story short I did the usual stuff, oil change, plug change, carb cleaning blah blah. After som carb issues i was able to get it running pretty smooth.

One issue I have is that after about 20 minutes of riding the carb seems to open more where the bike will idle rather high. I think this ma be the same problem ive seen posted earlier so thats not my question.

My question is that after parking it this last winter, and taking it for a ride the lasst week her, i noticed a small oil leak both where i had left it sit, and now where i have it currently.

Upon pulling into my garage after my first ride it was a bit smoky. There is a bit of oil dripping onto the exhaust.

I pulled off the exhaust (plan on getting a new 4 -1 anyhow) and see a small collection on the pipes. Looking underneath the bike it would appear that it is leaking from the small "quarter sized" (coin) area with the wire coming out of it.

Does this seem likely to have a seal or something that should be replaced?

Im a total novice, shoul di attempt to pull the engine out and to a seal kit on it?

Help!

Thanks!

 

That sounds like the oil sensor... if so you shouldn't have to pull anything.

I've never done anything with mine, but if you hang on a minute I'm sure someone will have some advice.

While you're waiting could you give a more detailed description of where the leak is?

 

Well I havent fully isolated it but Its above where the drain plug is and it isnt around the filter. Because the little wire itself appears to have fresh oil on it, I think its from the sensor. I dont know for sure though. I havent been able to identify where exactly. I suppose step one is a huge cleaning. 8(


The leak amount after 4 + months sitting there was about the sice of a cd, and not a puddle. just a stain.

 

The little wire?

Sorry - could you take a picture of it?

I was thinking of under the engine at first where the oil sensor is - but from that description I'm thinking front center and up.

I had a simular rate leak on my bike - I had to replace the oil filter oring (about 3" across)

Much higher up is the mechanical tach - that leaks but only at high rpm if it is not tightened.

I can't picture any other wires about the oil filter - that's why I'm asking for a picture of the leak area.

Cheers,
woot.

 

I cant actually I am at work right now but i can later.
Its right above where the 4 exhaust pipes combine into one, and its the only wire on there. Its pretty thick wire, and it looks to attach to a flat bit about the size of a quarter. Its round where it connects underneath and kind of resembles: ---------O

Where ----- is the "wire".

ill see if the wife can snap a shot of it or if i cant find an engine pic somewhere.

 

That really sounds like the bottom of the engine where the oil sensor is...

Is it on the bottom or is it on the front?

 

Bottom. If it was a quarter .... it would be parallel to the ground.

Like I said it drips onto the exhaust underneath the bike.

Its stinky.

:wink:

 

Sounds like the oil sensor to me. I've never had mine out, and I can't find any documentation that says it even has a seal. Or at least I don't see a part number for the seal, if it has one. It looks like there is an o-ring or something on it from some of the diagrams that I can find.

 

Perhaps that isnt the source.
Since it is suc an old bike should i attempt to pull the engine and do em all?
How tough is that?

 

Here's a picture out of the Haynes manual of the oil level switch.
It is sealed with an o-ring as shown in pic.

Close by this switch you should find the neutral safety switch, it has a single wire leading to it and is threaded into the casing.

 

Another note (though it does sound like the oil sensor seal) -- check to make sure it's not coming out of the tachometer cable gear connection at the top of the head and dripping down -- that's where mine was leaking. I had to figure out how to get that out, take it apart, and replace the two O-ring seals in it to stop it.

 

My vote is on the oil level sensor. Next oil change, pull the two 10mm bolts securing it into the oil pan and replace the o-ring, problem solved. No big deal. Altus, I have replaced by seals and o-rings on my tach sender twice and it still leaks. Shaft is clean, no nicks or scratched. One would think it would be the housing, replaced it too, no dice. I haven't the slightest what to do now. Sorry Baintronic, I'm not trying to thread-jack your topic. I'll get back on topic now, but I've got a new thread topic to start. Thanks.

 

That would be the spot that looks like where its coming from.
I will wipe the area spotless tonight and check it in the morning. Then ill have to find me another seal.

Hopefully thats it cause that looks much lighter and easier to replace than a main seal


Thanks!

 

That would be the spot that looks like where its coming from.
I will wipe the area spotless tonight and check it in the morning. Then ill have to find me another seal.

Hopefully thats it cause that looks much lighter and easier to replace than a main seal


Thanks!

 

Looks like a real easy one to fix... and cheap - how long until the next oil change is due?

 

huh wierd double post there.
should change it anytime, just getting it out for the winter now.
cchanged it last week and then rode it , i usually change it out again, but then i noticed the leaker. 8)
any tips on where i can git that gasket? (oring) ?
or just plumbers tape er?

 

I'd say try the dealership - should be cheap and easy to get. Plumbers tape doesn't sound like a good idea.

 

Both mine and my friends 82 xj are leaking from the oil level sensor switches. I have a pile of o-rings here and am going to try to replace the rings on both bikes on the next oil change, hopefully by then end of the month. I have pulled the sensor before, its just a normal o-ring on there. Lowe's may have one...if you don't have a dealer handy...If nothing in my stash fits, that's where I am going to look first.
Plumbers tape will do no good, as there are no threads to seal, there is a groove the ring sits in. Plumbers tape, to my knowledge, is for threads....

 

You can score replacement o-rings cheap at Home Depot, Lowes, ACE Hardware, or just about any good plumbing shop. Teflon tape would be an excercise in futility Bain, it is used for threads as Nighttrain pointed out. Take the old o-ring and sensor with you and match them up. Remember, a little fatter in the thickness of the o-ring is acceptable (dab of moly grease aids in installation). Go get 'em!

 

Awesome thanks for the tips everyone. Im headed out tonight to replace that ring.

Thanks again!