Oil Leaking From Timing Cover

Bonzo

Bonzo

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I know, I know. They all do that.

This seems excessive and one of the jobs I'd like to look at.

It's coming from behind the cover. Would this suggest the contacts points oil seal isn't doing what it's supposed to?

Before I 'go in', I'd like to have an idea of the parts I may need rather than wait a few days for an order.

I have a cover gasket, I'm thinking I'd need the seal too. I also need the service tool #064292?

Oil Leaking From Timing Cover
 
Are you certain it's from the timing cover and not the cylinder head?
 
Bonzo said:
It's coming from behind the cover. Would this suggest the contacts points oil seal isn't doing what it's supposed to?
Click to expand...

If it is leaking from the timing cover joint then it is unlikely to be the points housing oil seal. Remove the points cover to check.

Depending on what you find behind the 'points' cover (points and AAU or electronic ignition) you will probably need an extractor bolt/tool to remove the AAU or EI rotor.
 
L.A.B. said:
If it is leaking from the timing cover joint then it is unlikely to be the points housing oil seal. Remove the points cover to check.

Depending on what you find behind the 'points' cover (points and AAU or electronic ignition) you will probably need an extractor bolt/tool to remove the AAU or EI rotor.
Click to expand...

I'm being thick. If it were the oil seal, the points cover would be leaking. I've not even been drinking!
 
As you already have the timing cover gasket, then:
andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
Circlip pliers?
andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-details/17098/washer-d12-701-nmt1084-
(x2 for rocker feed banjo)
andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
AAU or EI rotor extractor tool according to what it is.
The ignition timing will need to be re-set afterwards so a strobe light.
 
Last edited:
Have you checked torque on the cover screws? Might just be one backing out giving that leak. Aside from the obvious top right side screw, the second screw hole from the left appears to have a wee puddle in the opening and evidence of a drip down the cover face.
 
Tornado said:
Have you checked torque on the cover screws? Might just be one backing out giving that leak. Aside from the obvious top right side screw, the second screw hole from the left appears to have a wee puddle in the opening and evidence of a drip down the cover face.
Click to expand...
I have just come back to the pc to report these very findings. The top three screws had indeed backed off around a 1/8th turn.

I need to up my game after too many years spent on modern bikes :oops:
 
Bonzo said:
I have just come back to the pc to report these very findings. The top three screws had indeed backed off around a 1/8th turn.

I need to up my game after too many years spent on modern bikes :oops:
Click to expand...
Good the hear. You might want to take the lesson learned here and apply it to all the major fixtures you can easily reach....I've had a couple of engine plate bolts come loose on a short urban ride. Now I check them all, from the front axle/forks bolts/pinch clamps, isolastic through bolt/stud, engine & gearbox plates, handlebar clamps etc etc.
 
Tornado said:
I've had a couple of engine plate bolts come loose on a short urban ride.
Click to expand...
Which is bad for obvious reasons. Less obvious is that the cradle to engine bolts and the front isoelastic bolts are part of what clamps the crankcases together. Depending on the sealer used, them being loose can cause oil leaks that are hard/impossible to resolve without splitting the cases and if loose enough even worse things could happen.
 
L.A.B. said:
As you already have the timing cover gasket, then:
andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
Circlip pliers?
andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-details/17098/washer-d12-701-nmt1084-
(x2 for rocker feed banjo)
andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
AAU or EI rotor extractor tool according to what it is.
The ignition timing will need to be re-set afterwards so a strobe light.
Click to expand...
Appreciate that L.A.B.

It's AAU, not EI. Is there an 'official' extractor tool?
 
Bonzo said:
Appreciate that L.A.B.

It's AAU, not EI. Is there an 'official' extractor tool?
Click to expand...
There is but it's really needed. Remove the center bolt - it goes through the device into the cam. Once out, you can screw in a larger bolt - the AAU is threaded inside. I may be wrong (L.A.B. will know) but I think its 5/16" UNF. Then tap lightly from different directions and it will pop out. On a Norton, they are not keyed to the cam - make sure you know how to get it back in the right orientation, so the points plate is in range for ignition timing - workshop manual or lots of trial and error.
 
marshg246 said:
There is but it's really needed. Remove the center bolt - it goes through the device into the cam. Once out, you can screw in a larger bolt - the AAU is threaded inside. I may be wrong (L.A.B. will know) but I think its 5/16" UNF. Then tap lightly from different directions and it will pop out. On a Norton, they are not keyed to the cam - make sure you know how to get it back in the right orientation, so the points plate is in range for ignition timing - workshop manual or lots of trial and error.
Click to expand...

No sweat, I've ordered one now - it's only a tenner. (and I got in before the A-N week break).

As an aside, I must say the quality of the gear A-N supply is wonderful. And the individual packing is a work of art :)
 
Tornado said:
Good the hear. You might want to take the lesson learned here and apply it to all the major fixtures you can easily reach....I've had a couple of engine plate bolts come loose on a short urban ride. Now I check them all, from the front axle/forks bolts/pinch clamps, isolastic through bolt/stud, engine & gearbox plates, handlebar clamps etc etc.
Click to expand...
Yep. I'm gonna go over everything on Saturday. I'll take those loose screws as a warning :oops:
 
Bonzo said:
I know, I know. They all do that.

This seems excessive and one of the jobs I'd like to look at.

It's coming from behind the cover. Would this suggest the contacts points oil seal isn't doing what it's supposed to?

Before I 'go in', I'd like to have an idea of the parts I may need rather than wait a few days for an order.

I have a cover gasket, I'm thinking I'd need the seal too. I also need the service tool #064292?

Oil Leaking From Timing Cover
Click to expand...
This is one area that does not leak at all on my Nortons, so there is hope.
The timing covers on the BSA and Vins are also dry.
Some other areas are needing a little help, but the timing covers are all bone dry.

Glen
 
I replaced all those screws on the timing and GB covers with allen head screws can get them up a bit tighter, the soft screws heads can on the slot heads can get worn easy, I replaced all mine back in the 70s and still using the same allen head screws to this day.

Ashley
 
There was a 750 Commando at last W/E's DGR that had a leak from presumably the tacho drive take off. Was smoking along the ride from engine front area, not pipes. Told the good looking lass riding it she was literally smoking hot!! ;-)

There was a cloth draped around the tacho take off covering and visibly oil along barrel and timing case that side. Heard this to be a common leak point but have not seen any from my bike there in 4 yrs of ownership.
 
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