Author Topic: rear main seal? oh-no (Read 2859 times)

ahoward125 · « **on:** May 05, 2020, 01:20:52 PM »

Ok,
So I think my sputter problem could have been a sticky injector. I bottle fo Techron seems to have the bike running better.
Was on the way back from the Post Office after mailing a check for a set of used, stock mufflers for the 2002 EV when it happened. I was getting on Rt. 15 and I got into the throttle when the motor broke loose and I could feel the clutch slip... Got it home and the inspection plug was damp with oil and there was a drop or two under the bike.
Was dry as a bone before this
Could it be a plugged breather or is my bad luck holding out???

thanks
2002 Cali EV 33K miles
Fresh oil change 100 miles ago

Idontwantapickle · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2020, 02:09:56 PM »

First: don't freak out
Next: determine the kind of oil. Engine oil or gear oil? They each have a unique smell.
That will determine the next step of the path.

Hunter

John A · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2020, 04:59:57 PM »

if its engine oil check the large breather hose clamp at the top of the engine. it can make a small leak into the bell housing if you're lucky

moto-uno · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2020, 05:12:44 PM »

I'm not holding my breath that a "Small" leak into the bell housing can cause the clutch to slip . Assuming your
clutch is adjusted correctly (some free play) , whatever is allowing enough oil in to cause the clutch to slip is probably
going to require a motor, tranny removal

. Lotsa assumptions here , clutch has not showed signs of slipping
previously , you didn't put a couple of extra liters in at the oil change, etc . Once in there it'll probably be obvious
which seals are failed (change them all anyway , the mileage isn't high , but the age is ). Keep us apprised . Peter

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2020, 05:12:44 PM »

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2020, 05:13:31 PM »

It's hard for oil from the rear main seal to get past the flywheel and onto the friction discs.. my money on gear lube migrating up the clutch pushrod . There's an o ring fix for that but you have to at minimum remove the swing arm to get at it.

Wayne Orwig · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2020, 07:40:11 PM »

What foto says.
It is a bit difficult for engine oil to get around the flywheel that shields the clutch plates.
It is easy for transmission fluid though. If the clutch pushrod seals leak, that is a fairly easy fix from the rear of the transmission. If the front gasket leaks OR the front bearing fails (sadly too common) that is a transmission out job.

Also, in 2003 and 2004 a lot of them came with a single plate clutch that failed. You should NOT have it in a 2002, but.......

John A · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2020, 07:51:01 PM »

That’s right, it’s almost impossible for engine oil to contaminate the clutch but it could come down from that breather and do it, couldn’t it? I doubt that’s the source. In my experience once the clutch is oiled, it’s rooted.

Perazzimx14 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2020, 08:01:38 PM »

Techron and all the the other magic in a bottle like SeaFoam are universally amazing! They are amazing at making your wallet lighter

moto-uno · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2020, 12:17:16 PM »

^ Kinda curious what that remark about "magic chemicals" has to do with a clutch that's slipping , apparently from oil contamination ? Peter

MotoG5 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 07, 2020, 09:03:42 AM »

I have held off for a bit on jumping in on this as usually several people will offer answers. The one common leak that can put oil into the clutch pretty fast is the seals on the clutch actuation through rod. The tranny oil can come right into the center of the clutch. If you determine that you are indeed seeing tranny oil this is what is most likely to have happened. As others have said it is highly unlikely that it is coming from the engine side.
If enough oil has already gotten into the clutch plates to make them slip I would say that your are going to wind up having to replace the plates. Not the end of the world and a doable job for the average mechanically inclined with a good set of tools. Lots of threads on how to go about doing the job.
Just replacing the seals on the clutch rod can be done with the transmission in place by pulling the swing arm and would stop the leak but trying to clean up the clutch plates in place has been tried but with little success.
I have done this job over the years several times on mine and others older Guzzis for various reasons and this is my best guess judging from your description of what happened.

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #10 on:** May 07, 2020, 02:00:09 PM »

I think Moto G5 is correct. If it is your clutch pushrod seals, and you replace those by removing the swingarm, you can always try the "Stoddard solvent clutch flush" afterwards to try and clean some of the gear oil from the friction plates. You dont have much to lose at this point,and it may prevent you having to remove the transmission to replace the clutch right away.
Rick.

ahoward125 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 07, 2020, 02:47:38 PM »

It is gear oil... I will drain the gearbox and check how much oil was in there...
probably the o-ring, but whatever it is the clutch is toast...

Wayne Orwig · « **Reply #12 on:** May 07, 2020, 03:19:31 PM »

Quote from: ahoward125 on May 07, 2020, 02:47:38 PM

It is gear oil... I will drain the gearbox and check how much oil was in there...
probably the o-ring, but whatever it is the clutch is toast...

I think I would try one of the 'flush' deals, where you flush it with mineral spirits or such. But certainly would have low expectations.
Keep in mind that the front transmission bearing may be going out also.

ahoward125 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 07, 2020, 07:41:06 PM »

Fill it with mineral spirits... light it on fire... got it

MotoG5 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 07, 2020, 08:03:25 PM »

Quote from: Wayne Orwig on May 07, 2020, 03:19:31 PM

I think I would try one of the 'flush' deals, where you flush it with mineral spirits or such. But certainly would have low expectations.
Keep in mind that the front transmission bearing may be going out also.

Correct on both points Wayne. The only reasons I am leaning toward the clutch rod seals is the age of the bike as opposed to its mileage. And the circumstances of the issue happening. The two cone shaped bushings/seals that are factory items on the clutch rod have been known to fail. Dave Richardson of Moto International came up with the five o-ring mod to prevent this and it did work very well. Front transmission bearing failure usually happens at higher miles than this bike has but I have learned over the years to never say never.

MotoG5 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 07, 2020, 08:08:27 PM »

Quote from: ahoward125 on May 07, 2020, 07:41:06 PM

Fill it with mineral spirits... light it on fire... got it

LOL Man do I know that feeling!

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #16 on:** May 07, 2020, 08:35:42 PM »

FYI, my trick for getting the o-rings into the back of tranny on the push rod tube. Get an aluminum arrow and cut off about 6" and flatten one end a little bit, this Can slide over the pushrod and apply evenly the pressure needed to get them into the orifice.. one o ring at a time.

Luke · « **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2020, 01:31:15 PM »

A Bic pen with the guts removed works just fine.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2020, 01:44:05 PM »

Quote from: Luke on May 08, 2020, 01:31:15 PM

A Bic pen with the guts removed works just fine.

This ^^^.
http://thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_clutch_push_rod__installation.html

dguzzi · « **Reply #19 on:** May 08, 2020, 07:49:58 PM »

Bob is no longer your uncle. Let us know what you find!

John A · « **Reply #20 on:** May 08, 2020, 08:28:31 PM »

^^^

I’ll tell you how to do a proper clutch wash if you want

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Author Topic: rear main seal? oh-no (Read 2859 times)

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