Oil filter/change complication

I'm starting to wonder if anything will be easy on this bike.

1981 KZ 750 LTD ... just completed an oil/filter change.

No matter how tight I make the filter bolt, once I turn on the engine, a pretty powerful drip/leak begins.

> Replaced the gasket on the base plate (coating it in new oil).
> Did my best to make sure it stayed seated as I reinstalled the filter assembly
> Have tried backing off the entire assembly (until oil started to ooze), and then retighten

Still, as soon as I start the engine ... leak.


Any thoughts?

assuming you are talking of the filter that mounts beneath the bike to the oil pan.

depends on where it is leaking. if it is leaking around where the filter bolt enters the plate that holds the filter, check and replace the (little) O ring that is around the bolt and seals the bolt into that cover. (the bolt and cover plate is not one piece, push the bolt off the plate and you will see the o ring or O ring groove)

if it is leaking from around the edges of the cover and you already installed a new big o ring to seal the cover to the engine, either you didn't clean the sealing area good enough, or you might have gouges in the aluminum where the seal should be made.

don't tighten too much, bad for aluminum, check the torque specs on that filter bolt

Post edited by: lifeliberty, at: 2006/07/25 12:52

It is leaking around the edges ...

Didn't even realize about the O-ring around the bolt (was wondering why that second, smaller ring was in the replacement filter's box!)

I thought I did a good job of cleaning the ring seat for the filter plate (folded a paper towel, made several passes around.)

Guess I'm draining and refilling ... !

there is also the possibility that you have too much crankcase pressure, make sure the breather isn't blocked, should vent to airbox or filter or other, not plugged.

I've never had a problem with that sealing, make sure mating surface is clean and smooth.

later, good luck

FRAM filters has a new set of o rings included small and big don't get either one pinched

also remember to get the spring and washer in the proper sequence
good idea to clean the pressure relief valve too
it's inside the bolt with holes

OK guys thanks for the help but ...

1) What/where is the breather?
2) What is the proper washer/spring sequence?
(When I removed it, there was just a spring on top of the oil filter).
3)Pressure relief valve? Is this the same as the breather?

This certainly isn't as easy as doing an oil change on a car!

Also, is there any way to make sure all is fine and dandy BEFORE you've loaded the crankcase with oil and now have to drain everything to fix whatever leak exists?

the big thick bolt with holes in it goes through the round plate it has a o ring that seals around the bolt. next the spring goes on contacting the inside of the plate. a washer (sticks to the filter usually)on top of that then the filter. check that the large O ring is not flattened or pinched.

also....not sure if 750 set-up is the same as a 1000..but in mine there is a smaller bolt in the filter plate to drain the oil just from the filter cavity...might not have to drain all the oil..

del

Thanks, I am aware of the owner's manual pocket.
(It's instructions are rather basic. Not even sure they mention the gaskets!)

A fence that fits over the oil filter?
This is news to me.

There wasn't one on it when I disassembled everything.
(And there were no leaks before.)