Leaking alternator cover

[mittens]

Further to my last note, (Tigger having a rest on my driveway),
my alternator cover now leaks, there is a slight crack on the bottom, not enough to break the powder coat, but enough to let oil out. I'd say about one drop per 2 minutes with the oil warm.
So, is this a off to the shop moment? Or can I take it off, clean it up and get it welded?
If I do take it off, how much oil will there be in there, ie: the whole lot?had it happen before on a Yamaha and it was dry in there....
Nextly, can I ride her? Not 1000k's but to the shop or the 10 minutes to work?
Anxiously awaiting your wisdom on this one guys...

[EvilBetty]

I pulled mine a this winter to change the breather seal.  Minimal oil leaked out...

I wouldn't think you would hurt anything riding it as long as you keep the oil level up.

[mittens]

Ok, just had a more careful look with a torch, it is cracked and oil is seeping out of the crack.
Evil Betty, so it's safe to pull the cover off without draining the oil first?
If there is no pressurised oil in there, can I just patch up the crack with one of the aluminium welding compounds that you can buy?

[EvilBetty]

I just had a piece of cardboard under my bike when I pulled the cover, and it didn't catch a whole lot of oil at all.  I had a full oil level at the time.

I couldn't say what stresses that cover may come under while the engine is running.  I don't know if you would be safe patching it or not.

[Tom Herold]

Are you refering to the stator cover on the left side of the engine crank case? If so, you can pull that off without having to drain the oil.

In truth, there isn't supposed to be oil in there, the stator area's supposed to be dry. It seems some Tigers like to purge a bit, not a lot, just a couple ml, mine does it too and I've replaced the oil seal in there twice now.....

Anyway, be sure to get another gasket and maybe the pressed in oil seal before putting the cover back on. Chances are the cover's never been off, or not been off in a while, and the gasket compressed. It's just good practice to have a new one.

As far as welding the aluminum, I'm not sure how sensitive the alloy is to warping from the heat...... you might want to consider some type of cold weld or other compound to seal the crack. Think about something impervious to oil, heat and vibration.

Maybe you can find a replacement on EBay, or local motorcycle recycling shop?

[Sin_Tiger]

If you can't get it TIG welded, or just want to do it yourself then you might want to try Lumiweld .

I have not used it on any fluid tight repairs yet but I can attest to it being relatively easy to do without a lot of expensive kit and it is damn strong if you do it right.

[Bixxer Bob]

Reference the welding; casings are MUCH better quality than they used to be (in the old days there was way too much contamination in the alloy to make a strong weld successful), however,  it will contain too much oil to get a good weld so the cold solution is the way to go.

I know this because I needed to repaint the generator cover of my Blackbird and it has a drop of oil in there just like the Tiger.  I cleaned it out then degreased it with petrol then washed it out with detergent and hot water.  It was too cold in the garage so I thought warming the casing would aid drying.  The wife was out so I shoved it in the oven on a low heat while I had a cuppa.  Unfortunately, she came home and spotted the blue smoke before I did - not that it would have made any difference as you could smell it at the end of the road.  I cleaned that oven three times and it still stank months later.  The reason was that, despite a thorough cleaning, the heat sweated oil out of the pores in the casing.

I also know this because I used to MIG weld aluminium aircraft parts for the Royal Air Force.....

[EvilBetty]

Wow... thorough experience there!

Maybe the BBQ grill?  :lol:

[Sin_Tiger]

Unfortunately, she came home and spotted the blue smoke before I did - not that it would have made any difference as you could smell it at the end of the road.  I cleaned that oven three times and it still stank months later.  .

That's why I have an old oven in the garage  :lol: Bet your ears were burning as well  :oops:

I tried it with Durametal on the alloy sump of a 4203 Perkins but it wasn't wholly succesful, when it got hot I had to use the rear screen wiper a lot (Rangie) and people used to sit well back, when I stopped doing that it was time to fill the sump again!

[Bixxer Bob]

To be completely accurate, you can weld oily casings, but you need very specialist equipment (hot solvent baths) to degrease them sufficiently first so not really in the range of your local automotive welder.


 :shock:  :shock:  :shock: And as far as "HOT SOLVENT BATHS" are concerned, DON'T even THINK of trying something  like this yourself at home with any kind of solvent. If you don't at the very least cause an explosion / start a fire, the fumes will disolve your lungs before you even know what's happening.

[EvilBetty]

I don't remember what year you have, but...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TRIUMPH- ... 240%3A1318

[mittens]

hey all, I got a replacement gasket this arvo and pulled the cover off.
Its still dripping a bit, but so far about 500ml of rather black looking oil has come out :?
Ive had a carefull look at the alt. cover and yes it is cracked, but you would have to have an x-ray to see it if I didnt point it out to you, it really is a very fine crack.
 Looking in with a torch, there is a cavity down in there, so my question is: If the bike is lying on its side, running, for about 10 to 15 seconds, is it possible for the alternator cavity to fill up with oil? OR is this bike made of chocolate and by the bike falling of the side stand on to concrete I have cracked the engine case? That being the case makes the bike worthless in my opinion.
Rant warning
 I have had a different brand of road/sports bike do three cartweels, smash the alt cover into 6 pieces, slide for about 80 meters on the left (alt) hand side, and I rode it home. (Not far, about 20 minutes) and not a drop of oil came out anywhere. I however lost a fair bit off coolant  :(  WEAR GLOVES PEOPLE  even if its 4 am and 29 degrees.
rant over
I have checked the oil level in the motor, and with the bike level, its showing full. Is it possible that that oil has been sloshing around my alternator for a long time?
Is it advisable to degrease the stator or should I leave well enough alone?
The gasket I bought is made of paper, the one that came off the bike is made of metal.
Sorry about the rant, but a little disappointed/dejected at the moment

[EvilBetty]

My new gasket was paper as well.

I think we need to get some more comments from those that have had their stator/alternator cover off.

Was there oil present or not, and is this normal?

[mittens]

anyone?

[iansoady]

I'd just use some JB weld or similar on the inside. There's no great stress on the cover and it doesn't get particularly hot.