1981 ATC 185S leaking oil

[delaswim]

Well, I got the old dog running! It was pure joy taking it for a lap around the property. I'm super happy with the way it turned out. Unfortunately, it's developed a leak when I turned it off and let it set for 5 mins. It's coming from the pull start side of the engine. Any ideas? I hope I don't have to pull the motor...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zb3N8ujzFfarHcEp6

https://photos.app.goo.gl/MiHHfX57SN5eMwLCA

[Scootertrash]

Crank seal is probably bad behind the flywheel.

[Jd110]

Is that the seat with the rusted seat pan?

[delaswim]

Yes it is! I hit it with my marine grade vinyl cleaner, and then again with 303 Areospace protectant. Looks pretty good now. I'll probably slap a piece of T-Rex tape on it and be happy.

[delaswim]

Crank seal is probably bad behind the flywheel.

Oh boy. Looks like that's not to bad to get to. After looking at the diagram, there's a gasket, and a couple seals I think I'll replace while I'm in there. The oil seal looks like a wild goose chase. I found one in New Zealand, and one on Ebay for $30. Has anyone had to replace the oil seal? It's listed as OIL SEAL (19.8X35X8) 91203-958-013

[Scootertrash]

Cheapest one I can find right here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-OEM-Honda-1980-1986-ATC185-ATC200-Oil-Seal-19-8X35X8-91203-958-013-atv/123248924973?hash=item1cb235592d:g:z2QAAOSw7UZbSP0 3

You could try checking for a local bearing/seal shop and see if they can get one by cross-referencing the number.

I'm not sure you can replace that seal without splitting the cases :(

Maybe someone else will chime in and tell you if you can and how to do it. I know there were a couple companies that made a tool for pulling seals in this situation, but I've never tried one.

This tool right here:

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-58430-Shaft-Type-Puller/dp/B000FPYW4K/ref=asc_df_B000FPYW4K/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312065537890&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12532330944957520766&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019571&hvtargid=pla-633100651832&psc=1

I bought one and have it in my tool box, never tried it out yet........

[El Camexican]

I don’t know this engine from Adam, but in my experience the correct engine oil level is usually lower than the height of the engine seals, so if it’s leaking from a crank seal when parked there should be a lot of evidence inside the starter housing.

The seal I see leak the most on the left side of a parked bike or trike is the shifter shaft seal. They get dirt in them and leak as well as wear out due to uneven loading. They’re also constantly bathed in oil. Sprocket shaft seals also tend to leak because of the dirty environment they are in, but on a trike that his level the oil level should be just below that seal when parked, but on a bike that is leaned over on a kickstand they will often leak when parked.

I’m not suggesting that your problem wasn’t diagnosed correctly earlier on in this thread, I just suggest that you make sure it’s not the shifter shaft seal before you start tearing into your engine.

[delaswim]

Thanks Camexican! I'll have to look into it. When I pulled the pull start assembly, the oil was dripping through it. So I'm really hoping this crank gasket does the trick.