Hi,
Have just recommissioned '64 C15 ('62 engine). Starts and goes ok and am just starting to sort leaks out a bit. Leaking oil tank sorted from advice on previous thread but when ran and then stood ticking over had a steady leak from the kickstart spindle.
I note that there has been a previous thread on this subject both here and on other websites but would appreciate any advice.
I'm aware the early engines had no oil seal here so would not be surprised or concerned if there was a bit of weeping here (my Tiger T100 has a seal but I still get a bit of misting) but I was under the impression this area would not have any actual depth of oil so am wondering why it seems such a lot of oil is seeping out? Also when I removed the outer cover there was not a gush of oil but only a very slight trickle. It became obvious the external side has had a hard life (gouged by incorrect fitting of kickstart maybe)? See pictures External 1 and 2. Inside however is not quite so bad though there is a bit of a gap between the spindle and shell. See picture Internal.
So my queries are:
Is that amount of oil coming into the casing normal?
Should the gap + poor fitting make that much of a leak unless there is too much oil coming through?
Is there anything that can be done to at least cut down the leak?
Am I fighting a loosing battle?
Any help gratefully received
The earlier C15 engine is based closely on that from the Triumph Tiger Cub and, in contrast to the later C15 design, the gearbox oil is meant to be sealed in by the inner timing cover. However, it's possible for some oil to seep out along the kickstart spindle. To some extent from memory, I think the inner and outer timing covers butt up tightly against each other around the kickstart spindle so that any oil that seeps out along this route from the gearbox will mostly exit on the outside of the outer timing cover - it's more difficult for it to seep into the void between the two covers.
A small amount of oil seepage to the outside is not a big issue on these engines and neither is a small amount of oil that seeps into the cover void. From what I understand, the spindle is not a particularly close fit through the outer timing cover but I don't think that matters much since the spindle is supported within the inner timing cover. Although the outside of the outer timing cover around the kickstart spindle may be a bit damaged, again, I don't think this matters very much although it may be a bit unsightly.
Both the early C15 and Tiger Cub engines were not that oil tight and a little oil seepage is something you have to learn to live with. In this case, I am not entirely sure whether we are talking about a 'normal' level of oil seepage or something more severe?
It's worth also pointing out that the earlier C15 engine breather works in a similar way to the later engines. That is via a small timed hole in the outer camshaft bush into the void between the inner and outer timing covers. In practice, this results in a small amount of engine oil being blown into the void that extends all the way back to the gearbox end. Therefore, if oil was found to dribble out when the outer timing cover was removed, this could have been engine oil rather than gearbox oil. To stop oil accumulating in the void, there is a very small hole at the bottom that allows the oil to slowly drain back into the crankcase.
Check you have the correct amount of oil in the box. They actually should have less than most people think. The amount was reduced by the factory.
Thanks for all the information I've got a better idea now on the workings.
I think I'm maybe expecting too much although I'm going to double check the gearbox oil volume as I refilled it using the overflow tube to get to correct level rather than measure the quantity of oil going in. Thinking on it there didn't seem to be a major problem there when I laid it up for winter so it may just be that simple.
Here's hoping !!!
Sorted. Found the fault - me!!!!!!
Going through Spaceman's points I couldn't help feel it wasn't anything too dire so had a think about cdsdorset's comments about oil amount.
I recall now that it was the Tiger T100 that I refilled using the overflow whereas with the C15 I just drained it, put the plug back in and put the quantity from specs in the Instruction Manual in. I also looked in the Haynes manual page 11 where it had recommended lubricants and "gearbox" astrixed for C15, both had the same - 3/4 pint.
When I drained the gearbox yesterday however only just over 1/2 pint came out!
A quick check of other Instruction Manuals online revealed they all had 1/2 pint and a further perusal of Hayes page 13 specs clearly states 1/2 pint as well. A further check shows my Instruction Manual is dated 1959! Obviously as cdsdorset says the quantity must have been reduced on later models.
Put back together and filled with 1/2 pint. Took for a spin, left ticking over for a bit and checked. Dry as a bone.
Lessons learnt:
Only service one bike at a time
Read the manuals thoroughly
Try reading the right b****y manual
As always thanks for pointers and suggestions