tri-z case leaking

[muthey]

So a couple of days ago my tri z started running erratically when not wot. I run it a little rich but not to the point where it is dangerously rich, so I decided to change the spark plug. today when I changed it I started it up to check and see how it was running when I looked down and noticed that on the right cover to right crank case seam I noticed some bubbling. I am not sure if it is leaking from the cylinder head as well, as that whole area is being blown clean, but the oil has no fuel smell to it. I am concerned that my crank seal is bad, as I don't know that there should be that much pressure in there. It is bad enough that I can feel air coming from there when it is idling. I hate to run it and check with soapy water as a leak down tester will tell me if it is leaking, but I worry it won't tell me exactly where. when it is running I can check both areas and know for sure, how much damage will I do if I run it at an idle to find out where the actual leak is at. Any and all help will be much appreciated. I am going to do crank case seals either way, but could it just be the gasket on the right cover went bad at the top by the front of the cylinder or is there just not enough pressure in there. I will include pics in the next few days promised the familly we will go camping this weekend and no matter what my trike has going on I don't dare renig on that.

[muthey]

So my question is this is there really enough pressure on the right hand side to cause the cause a a leak and gear oil spray or will it be the crank seal leaking to do this?

[El Camexican]

I'm a little lost as to exactly where your leak is, but check to make sure your transmission vent is not obstructed. Then check that your coolant isn't low and that your oil level isn't high, or that the oil is contaminated. Even if your crankcase seal was leaking into the transmission it would vent out the tube. It would likely suck oil in too. Also pull your left case cover and look for two stroke oil in there. Let's see what you find and go from there.

[muthey]

OK I will take pictures and and check on things today as we just came back from camping, I wanted to work on the Z this weekend but I had promised all week we would go camping so I had to make good on that promise.

[muthey]

snapped a quick picture of the leaking area. I am going to look at all my venting hoses and double check they are clear, but I have a feeling I blew a seal.

[El Camexican]

You may have blown a seal, but I can't imagine how that would cause a leak there.

[muthey]

me neither, unless a used gasket was used when the motor was put back together by a previous owner. I have never been into the motor on this machine, so I have no idea what to expect when I get in there. hopefully there isn't a ton of damage.

[El Camexican]

Well crank leaks are usually on the dry side, but not always. Not sure what you're thinking of doing, but if time and money permit I'd tear it down and replace whatever is required. Then you'll have peace of mind when you hit the trails. Best case scenario is that it costs you a set of gaskets and seals. Sure beats throwing a rod while trying to figure out why its running poorly or leaking.

[Mosh]

I have seen that a few times. You just need a new clutch gasket more than likely. Your crank seal would be more likely to suck and burn oil than pressurize the gear oil. It also looks to me like your base gasket is leaking there as well. You should try to seal that pipe leak up also as the gas oil residue will eat at those gaskets over time.

[muthey]

Thanks guys, I think it was the exhaust leaking there that caused it. I sealed the piped this spring but I had almost all of last year of riding while it was leaking. And however long ol'deuce had it together and ran it without a exhaust seal and the cup that goes in there. I had to make a new cup as well as there was only part of one in there. Thanks Mosh you gave me a lil piece of mind here on how this happened. I am going to be safe and buy a complete gasket set and crank bearings and seals. Just to be safe, but at least if I only have to use 2 gaskets, I will have enough in case I have to open her completely up and repair anything wrong.