V85TT maint issue

[Zinfan]

Was just doing oil changes on my V85 after my long trip into Mexico and also the bike has 12k miles on it now.  This is the first time I'm changing the oil filter out and the cover holding the filter in the sump won't move after removing the bolt holding it on.  I tried tapping the cover with a rubber mallet to loosen it up but no matter what it just wouldn't move.  I checked the manual to see if I forgot something but this is just the same as other small blocks and the cover should drop down once the bolt is removed.  I decided to drop the sump so that I could remove the filter and get to the cover from the other side and tap it loose but once the sump was off I still couldn't get the cover to move even when tapping it using a wooden rod to protect the cover itself.  I have no idea what is wrong here, may have to get it to the dealer to see what is what, did someone put a sealant on the cover?  I know I never did and the only other people to work on the bike was the original shop I bought it from (they did the 900 mile service).


The sump with the filter cover in the lower left.



Since I had the sump off I took a picture looking up.



Final drive oil, looks very grey but didn't smell anything odd about it.  This oil has been in the bike for 6k miles and went through a few heavy rainstorms when I was in Mexico.  I don't think I'd wait the new 30,000 km change interval MG recommends.

[bigbikerrick]

There is not supposed to be any sealant applied to that cover is there? I would probably try heating the sump around the cover with a heat gun,and possibly putting a few Ice cubes on the cover itself, then trying to loosen it.Can an impact driver be used on that, or is it too risky?
  Looking at your  photo,  I am sure not familiar with the "smallblocks", as it looks very weird to me to look "up the skirt" of the engine ,with the sump removed,and not see the crank,and rods!
Good luck with the cover,
Rick

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Perhaps the o-ring has stuck the two castings together due to hotter running than earlier small-blocks?

[guzzisteve]

Knock it out w/wood block & order new. 1st service shop pays for it. Oring probably has sealer on it.

[Zinfan]

It should not have any sealant applied to it, maybe the shop did it during the first maint?  I've already put the sump back on (with new filter installed) so it will have to wait until next time.  I worry that bashing at the plate will damage either the plate or worse the sump itself, I tried using a wooden dowel and hammer to try to force the cover off but limited my blows as in the back of my mind I wondered if maybe I'm missing something but no it should have just dropped out.  I suppose the o-ring could have melted causing the sticking, I did note that the crush washer at the end of the filter bolt was pretty distorted so maybe they over torqued the cover and smashed the o-ring in the process.

[guzzisteve]

You called it right. They give an 18ft lbs on the bolt that smashes the crush, I go about 12 on them. Let that shop know and it's most likely covered under warranty.

[Zinfan]

Well the shop is 230 miles away but I'll let them know.  I ordered another cover from AF1Racing since it is only $8.50 and should have it on hand when I next try to loosen up the installed one     Thanks for the feedback.

[Cam3512]

Mine did the same thing at the 2nd oil change.  Just got back from a 2,300 mile trip running it hard in HOT weather.  I knocked mine loose by tapping a dowel DOWN on an exposed lip on the front of the cover.  It's possible to insert the dowel angled downward at the front of the engine.  It finally broke it loose.  The o-ring was really smushed.  Use a new one and don't over tighten the cap, they're prone to cracking.

Cam

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I don't know what the original o-ring is made of (Buna-N probably), but maybe a replacement in Viton would help.

[Zinfan]

Mine did the same thing at the 2nd oil change.  Just got back from a 2,300 mile trip running it hard in HOT weather.  I knocked mine loose by tapping a dowel DOWN on an exposed lip on the front of the cover.  It's possible to insert the dowel angled downward at the front of the engine.  It finally broke it loose.  The o-ring was really smushed.  Use a new one and don't over tighten the cap, they're prone to cracking.

Cam

Mine would not move even though I had the sump off and was trying to knock it loose from the inside using a wooden dowel so I don't think your method would have worked for me this time.  Also I ran my finger around where the seam for the cover should be and didn't feel anything that I could get a dowel onto from the outside.  By the time I do another oil change I should have the replacement cover (backordered for 6-8 weeks) and can use more force on the cover and if it breaks at least I can put the bike back together.  I don't really want to have to drop the sump to do a filter change as what I believe to be the pickup for the semi-dry sump just press fits into place and is impossible to tell if it goes back in place when putting the sump back on.

I can see this causing some headaches for owners doing their own maintenance in the future, I wonder if it is just a V85 thing as I haven't heard V-7's or V-9's having this issue.  I will say that there was quite a bit of oil left in the sump after using the drain plug to drain the oil out.

[redhawk47]

I wonder if it is just a V85 thing as I haven't heard V-7's or V-9's having this issue.

I seem to recall that the filter cover on my V7II was reluctant to come off. I think I used a large screwdriver and pried on the fins.
Dan