Identify my oil leak. 1952 ES2

Hi David.

I have read that we can use Automatic Transmission Fluid in our ES2 primary drive chain cases,it could be that that is leaking!.

Terence

The old carbs often leak fuel which can look and feel just like a thin oil if its been standing for a good while as the volatile elements dissapear.Its also possible that it is an engine oil leak,if its been standing a long time the dirty solids settle out and what looks like fresh oil can circulate for a while or be expelled from the breather on start up till the pump clears the sump.

And for your further info, no AMAL has any kind of oil damper. The only motorcycle carb I personally know of that did, was a run of 650 Triumph Thunderbirds in the early '50's that used an SU.

I have seen a couple of Stromberg CD 125's in use on Nortons,good carb,if set up right.

An oil leak high up on a single is more than likely coming from the rocker box joint. After replacing the gasket a number of times on my '61 Model 50and even usinga home made silicone rubber gasket, I finally bit the bullet and did away with the gasket all together.

A small bead of Permatex High-temp Red RTV Silicone Gasket Maker ( in the States it is product item # 81160<26B&gt was used following the Permatex instructions. Voila, no more leaks.

I believe that the convoluted shape of the rocker box makes a perfect joint almost impossible. The RTV fills all the gaps that result.

If all else fails, give it a try.

Mike

Previously michael_sullivan wrote:

An oil leak high up on a single is more than likely coming from the rocker box joint. After replacing the gasket a number of times on my '61 Model 50and even usinga home made silicone rubber gasket, I finally bit the bullet and did away with the gasket all together.

A small bead of Permatex High-temp Red RTV Silicone Gasket Maker ( in the States it is product item # 81160<26B> was used following the Permatex instructions. Voila, no more leaks.

I believe that the convoluted shape of the rocker box makes a perfect joint almost impossible. The RTV fills all the gaps that result.

If all else fails, give it a try.

Mike

hello grease is much cheaper and dose the job just as well ,as RTV or anything else yours anna j

Previously anna jeannette Dixon wrote:

Previously michael_sullivan wrote:

An oil leak high up on a single is more than likely coming from the rocker box joint. After replacing the gasket a number of times on my '61 Model 50and even usinga home made silicone rubber gasket, I finally bit the bullet and did away with the gasket all together.

A small bead of Permatex High-temp Red RTV Silicone Gasket Maker ( in the States it is product item # 81160<26B> was used following the Permatex instructions. Voila, no more leaks.

I believe that the convoluted shape of the rocker box makes a perfect joint almost impossible. The RTV fills all the gaps that result.

If all else fails, give it a try.

Mike

hello grease is much cheaper and dose the job just as well ,as RTV or anything else yours anna j

That isin your opinion ! others may not agree.

Previously john_mcnicoll wrote:

Previously anna jeannette Dixon wrote:

Previously michael_sullivan wrote:

An oil leak high up on a single is more than likely coming from the rocker box joint. After replacing the gasket a number of times on my '61 Model 50and even usinga home made silicone rubber gasket, I finally bit the bullet and did away with the gasket all together.

A small bead of Permatex High-temp Red RTV Silicone Gasket Maker ( in the States it is product item # 81160<26B> was used following the Permatex instructions. Voila, no more leaks.

I believe that the convoluted shape of the rocker box makes a perfect joint almost impossible. The RTV fills all the gaps that result.

If all else fails, give it a try.

Mike

hello grease is much cheaper and dose the job just as well ,as RTV or anything else yours anna j

That isin your opinion ! others may not agree.

Hello No this is not my opinion , its my experience that a different thing too a opinion , Yours Anna J

I feel I must put in a bit of 'input ' here! Those early '50's single rocker box's had no gasket, the owners book tells to only put a bead of sealer (can't remember the make right now)around the joint before bolting down. I have used this method using LOCTITE master gasket, and have had no leaks from this area after each time I have replaced the box. (any excess will dissolve harmlessly in the oil,........ unlike silastic which will circulate, blocking oil galleries)

I would imagine that using grease for a sealer would be as usefull as puttingan ashtray on my bike, a grease would soon melt with the engine heator be washed away with the hot oil.

I too have had a clear oily substance that has dribbled from my type 76 carburettor down onto the frame railon my Ariel while I had it up on the bench doing a re-build. I put it down to the valve saver/upper cylinder lubewhich I always add to my fuel, having the fuel evaporate off leaving it behind. Though I really didn't think I had used that much additive.....Don't know!