Topic: Large pool of motor oil behind small sprocket cover. 76 550

[L.A. Nomad........]

Should I be concerned? Does it mean the oil pump is going to fail? It looks like oil is coming out the sensor itself...

Nomad

[eldar]

Well your pump should be inside the oil pan area and if this leak is behind sprocket cover, I would have to say a seal is failing.

[TwoTired]

Should I be concerned? Does it mean the oil pump is going to fail? It looks like oil is coming out the sensor itself...

1. yes, of course.    Sometimes small leaks turn into large ones.  If the sensor turns into a large leak, all the oil gets dumped overboard before it lubes the engine.  Most engines fail without lubrication.  However, your chain might enjoy the bath.
2. Not really.  But, all machines will fail at some point.  When is the issue.  A failed pump likely won't move oil. An oil leak, particularly at the oil sensor, indicates the oil is still moving and the pump is making pressure. This is good.
3. Then replace the sensor.

[pmpski_1]

See if this one is still available:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4561452896&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

The auction ended, but email the dude and see if he still has the part. I paid 35 bucks for a used oil pump from a
junkyard the other week. Before that I spent 28 bucks on a new pressure switch. If you get this one and your problem is fixed then you have a good deal.

[Paul]

The oil pump on the 550 is located just inside the sprocket cover.
It depends on the amount of oil there and the length of time it took to build up - if you rempve a tappet cover or two from the top of the engine whilst running you should see the oil "splashing" over the rockers...This means your pump is ok and working and the oil light goes off.
Is the leak comming from the top of the pressure switch (which, if bad - should not allow the oil light to go off)
or from the threadded section - in which case maybe a copper washer and a little squeeze will do. Also check out the oil pump cover, that O-Ring can leak. For certainty - run the bike without the sprocket cover after cleaning the area any look for the leak.

[Dr. D]

I had a similar pool of oil.  Tell me if this sounds familiar...  You have the bike warming up on it's side stand and when your ready to go it dumps about 3 table spoons of oil on the exhaust and ground.

I removed the sprocket cover to find the oil pump pressure switch was leaking through the screw on top that holds the lead to the oil light.  It was a slow leak that accumilated in the sprocket cover when the bike was leaned over, then dumped when the bike was stood up.  Tighened the top screw and it stopped.  I think it worked itself a little looser recently though, so I will probably remove it, clean it up and put some thread sealer in there to make sure it doesn't vibrate loose anymore.

[Paul]

You shouldn't get any oil comming from the top of the pressure switch.
As far as I know there is a diaphragm in there (as opposed to a disc) that moves the contacts, The only way the oil should get up there, is if the diaphragm was fractured or torn and this in turn would give a false reading (Although it would take a larger than normal pressure to "out" the light )