Topic: Oil pouring out, 76cb550

[@town]

Took my 550 out for a ride today, when i pulled into my destination and put the kickstand down, i saw a puddle of oil forming under the bike, quickly turning the bike off and checking it out, it seems that when the bike is running or being kick started the leak will gush oil out. it looks to be coming from under the case that covers the sprocket. will not be able to pull apart the bike for a few days, any ideas on what could have given out?

[LesterPiglet]

Oil gallery plug under the alternator cover. Oil pump o-rings. Gear change seal.
You won't know until you pull that cover off, clean up the oil and start the engine again.

[@town]

copy that, thanks for the advice.

[dave500]

cracked oil pressure switch?

[Rgconner]

You didn't put a new X or O-ring chain on recently, did you?

[goldarrow]

Pretty much what everybody else said

[jonda500]

...or the sprocket shaft seal?
My similar leak turned out to be the oil pump cover seal- I changed the o ring(got a 45 x 2mm o ring from the bearing shop for 70cents) - it leaks a lot less now but still drips after a decent ride so I've just bought a pack of ten 47 x 2mm o rings from hong kong on ebay for $4.50 - I think one of these will fix it!
Good luck with your leak- I hope you have an impact driver you will need one

[Duanob]

If you're going into the sprocket cover, then buy and replace all the seals at once. The shifter shaft seal, the output shaft seal, the 3 o-rings that seal the oil pump (2 small and 1 large). You might also check the wear on your front sprocket and chain while you're in there as well since has to be taken off. Hopefully its not something more serious like a broken or worn case.

[@town]

ok, so i took the cover off and started it up, turns out the shift shaft seal is what is popping out. i bought a new one and installed it, took it for a ride and still came out, seams to be when i goose the throttle (too much pressure behind it) and yes i did just put a new chain on (from dime city, tc bros 120 link 530) its been cut down to 110.  Their is no oil leaking from any where else. also just changed the oil last night and after the ride today it was white again. im stumped at this point

[Dave Voss]

ok, so i took the cover off and started it up, turns out the shift shaft seal is what is popping out. i bought a new one and installed it, took it for a ride and still came out, seams to be when i goose the throttle (too much pressure behind it)...

Too much crankcase pressure can cause seals to become pushed out, so check to be sure that the breather (top of the engine) is not blocked, and that the hose is properly routed to vent internal fumes (and pressure) back to the intake, as the intake suction promotes a positive reduction in crankcase pressure.  If you don't have the stock air box to route to, be sure that the crankcase breather is vented to atmosphere.

[Duanob]

I think Dave Voss gets the prize on this one. A blocked crankcase vent will not only build up pressure but wont allow moisture to vaporize and escape. hence the milky oil. make sure there isn't a kink in it or a wasp nest (if you have all original set up that is).

[@town]

Dave thank you for the insight and advice, turns out the breather was clogged. so i unclogged it and took it out, ran like a 38 year old top and no seal pop!!! should fix the gray oil problem as well, thanks again and hope this helps some other noobie as well!!

[Dave Voss]

I'm glad to hear that you found the issue!

[dave500]

years ago I rescued an old xl350 from behind a shed,it was a non runner and covered in couch grass I had to cut and rip to get the bike out of it,a thick runner had grown all the way up the breather and coiled up inside the breather cover!