Maxim X - Engine oil leaks - Whats typical.

Hello!

I have an Maxim X projoct on the go.

The mahine is totally apart and I am attemping to figure out if I have an oil leak or if there is a simply an accumulation of oil over time.


The front of the motor I believe is simple to figure out. The valve cover gasket has been leaking for a long time.


The rear.. I'm not so sure. There is lots of accumulation. Maybe the crank case halfs are leaking... maybe the ourter ring of the output shaft?


Any ideas?

 

ttt

 

Lol I have no idea what I'm looking at. I'm sure someone else does.

 

the bottom, bottom front, and bottom back of my engine looks the same, i'm going to keep an eye on this thread, i didn't think this indicated a leak, i thought it was oil residue from maintenance in addition to typical road dirt and oil. I mean if something like an engine isn't cleaned for a long period of time, i'm pretty sure this is to be expected. unless i'm misunderstanding the picture.

 

Well I'm no rocket scientist but the laws of physics would suggest if you have a leak in the front of the engine, the oil is going to find its way to the back of the engine as you ride. Just saying...

 

Looks more like road dirt and oil mist caked on over time....probly from the leak at the front of the motor. No fresh shiny oil that I see.

 

I wouldn' t worry about that. You're also looking at an area where not only minor spray,dirt, etc..... get blown back from the front, but you're also looking at an area where there's a LOT of rotational stuff going on that will sling a LOT of stuff around.......the U-joint is there--even with the boot stuff will spray around, the swing arm bearings are there--no they don't sping around a lot, but there is grease present, the whole rear axle system and it's grease, the rear wheel ass'y and all its spinning and grease, etc.......

The back end of the engine sort of creates a negative pressure area and grease/oil mist, dirt, etc..... WILL collect.

That's part of why we shine our bikes........

Dave Fox

 

Okay. Here's hoping its build up. Cleanup in procees.

 

The back and underside of my engine looked that bad when I took mine apart for a restoration. Like Dave said, it is probably just road dirt. I had to SCRUB mine with degreaser and a toothbrush, then powerwash it, then repeat twice. It took me about four or five toothbrushes JUST to clean the bottom half of the engine. Twenty thousand miles and thirty years of grime can be a PITA to clean up.