| Author | Message | ||
     Jonnyrotton |
So I noticed today that my bike started leaking oil from the timing cover. It is leaking down the timing wire that exits through the bottom. I believe it is going to be the seal behind the timing unit. My question is this....when you unbolt and remove the timing unit will the bike need to be retimed or does it just bolt back into one position? | ||
| 4cammer |
Welcome to the club. Mine has done the same for most of this year and will be in the shop (for the second time...) for this next week. | ||
| Hughlysses |
You can scribe a mark on the timing plate so that you can re-install it in exactly the same position. IIRC, the factory manual says you're still supposed to re-set the timing, but many people have followed this procedure without problems. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
+1 on marking the timing plate and the edge of the timing case to properly reinstall timing plate without re-timing the bike. Do this very carefully with a very sharp pointed tool. This leak you describe is very common. This is usually a failure of the seal on the timing cam shaft and can occur for several reasons. 1. The Buell supplied seal is not the best possible quality. Replace with a James Gasket seal with the same part number. http://www.jamesgaskets.com/ 2. Machining fault on the shaft. I have never actually seen this. 3. Porous casting of the timing cover. I had this problem. The case was replaced by Buell under extended warranty, after the seal was replaced a half a dozen times. Although the shop manual says that the timing cover should be removed to replace this seal, it is not really necessary. Just do the following: 1. remove cover plate by drilling out the pop rivets. 2. mark timing plate and case so timing plate can be properly installed. 3. remove timing plate. 4.carefully remove the seal around the shaft by working around it with a small screw driver. 5. Rub oil on new seal, carefully push it in using a large socket and a rubber hammer. Make sure it is driven all the way in. 6. While you have it apart, it is a good time to replace the pop rivets with 10/32 screws, tapped into the original pop rivet holes. Chrome Button heads add a nice touch. By the way, when replacing the seals or gaskets on a Buell or Harley, it is always a good idea to use James Gaskets, they are just better, most of the time, and don't cost a lot more than the OEM parts. | ||
| Tocramed |
I just ran into the same problem. Does anyone have the OEM or James part number? Thanks Tony | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
just go to the James web site, give them a call, they will direct you to your local Harely dealer. No Kidding. Then ask them about Mike in Wyoming. He knows all the part numbers, and ships priority mail. Usually just takes a couple of days. His number is 307 367 4398. He has most of the gaskets and seals in stock. Usually with James, the part number is the same as the Harley part number. Not sure about Buell. This seal is the same a late model sporty's I believe. When you see the seal, you will know what I am talking about. | ||
| 4cammer |
Gentleman_jon thanks for the how-to and info on James Gaskets. I think I would rather do this myself than have a tech do it. | ||
| 4cammer |
Buell OEM is 11124 and James lists two: JGI-11124-DL - OIL SEAL, CAM GEAR COVER USED ON: 1971-2003 MODELS: Sportster®, Buell®, Buell Blast® XB9R, XB9S Rubber O.D. Double Lip Package of 5 and JGI-11124 OIL SEAL, CAM GEAR COVER USED ON: 1971-2003 MODELS: Sportster®, Buell®, Buell Blast® XB9R, XB9S Metal O.D. Package of 5 | ||
| Tocramed |
Thanks guys Tony | ||
| Jos51700 |
Just a "heads up". Re-time the bike. You'll thank me.... I've yet to see an XB timed correctly from the factory (and argued up and down with tech services about it, too), and as the cam gears wear (albeit slightly), the timing changes. These motors are VERY sensitive to proper time, as it controls spark AND fuel timing. Typically, enhanced midrange torque, and better fuel economy is the result! | ||
| Jonnyrotton |
How can one adjust the timing? Will an automotive timing light work? And if so, what is the timing supposed to be? | ||
| Jos51700 |
You can do it with a timing light. Wear a shower cap. Static timing works well, but you'll need to jack up the rear wheel, and use either a multimeter off the cam sensor leads, or (I think) ECMspy. The service manual details quite well, but I don't have mine available. I'll try to find it. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Just an aside ------ A lot of projects that seem daunting and unapproachable at first, are not that difficult, especially if one has a friend to help and talk things over with. I was totally overwhelmed by gremlins in my charging system, but now that I have replaced the battery, wiring, VR and stator, I see it is a pretty straight forward system, and not that hard to repair even though it took me a long time to do it, and I made several obvious mistakes along the way. Now I know. Thanks to Jos, for all his help and encouragement there. I must admit I have looked at the timing problem, and not done anything about it, even I have thought about it. On my last bike, I was able to replace the timing to its marks, and my current bike is running pretty strong, even on the dyno, so I am disinclined to mess with it. However, Hammer did a TPS reset on it in the TWO parking lot, and it ran much better after that. The Hammer sure made that much feared mystery a lot easier to understand. Bottom line: buy the shop manual and the parts manual, work on your bike with a friend who you can help with his, get a good parts supplier, ( one of our sponsors can always help), and pretty soon you will feel a lot more comfortable working on your bike, and you will be able to tackle all the normal maintenance and common repairs yourself. The benefits are several. One saves a lot of money, and one gains the confidence that can only come from knowing that every component on the bike is working properly because one has checked it one's self. I don't know about you, but I find this really improves my riding when things hot up a bit,( not that an old guy like me thinks about doing anything silly anymore:-). Of course, the best resource is Bad Web itself. Thanks everyone. just my .02˘ | ||
| Jos51700 |
As a side note, I ALWAYS mark the timing plate BEFORE I adjust. Just in case. | ||
| Froggy |
Jos, yes you can do static timing with ECMspy, I helped someone do it back in March in the TWO parking lot. |
