Leak or too much ACF50?

[Slipperyeel]

Just been going over my new-to-me 1200 TC and noticed that amidst a little of the crud that has already built up, that where the heads meet the crank case, they seem moist with oil. I can see that it seems to run from the front timing cover.

I used some ACF50 around the motor and in exactly those areas (I'm new to using this stuff). Is it possible i put too much ACF50 around there and it's just hanging around? I haven't done so many miles since applying it.

I did notice a neat, thin line of gasket seal around the LH head and a little around the timing cover, but that could easily be original.

I guess the moist areas are on both sides where i used the magic fluid and neither is in a pattern I'd expect, hence the idea, I mean hope! it's just excess ACF50?

(I'll get a picture tomorrow, before i clean it!)


Anyone else had this?

 

[Bendy toy]

ACF-50 is slippery stuff so excess coating usually runs off leaving messy puddles under the bike.

Brother's bike developed and oil leak that appeared to be on the RHS. We spent ages looking for it eventually finding the crank position sensor on top of the timing cover was leaking. It has an O-ring seal, but corrosion had really ripped into the cover. The area is totally hidden from view under the alternator belt cover so it wasn't neglect.

Check the oil cooler pipes but that O ring would be my first place to look.

 

[Slipperyeel]

Thanks Bendy. An interesting idea. I hadn't planned to get that intimate with the bike yet (super busy right now). It's a 2011 and is in superb condition. I'd like to think it's not this. But never say never...

I'm going to clean the bike tomorrow (just for this purpose) as i have a few hundred mile to do by the end of the week. I think that's a good way for me to see if it develops or it was indeed me being too generous with the ACF.

 

[Bendy toy]

To be fair, Brother's is a 2008 so your's might not be old enough for such delights. But his bike was very well looked after by previous owner and ACF'd by Bro and garaged. His front engine cover was protected (I prefer to say hidden) by a crud catcher. It looked due for refinishing but nothing too serious. When it was stripped for painting the corrosion was horrendous. It had spread under the paint from pretty much every bolt hole. The top, which is entirely under the belt plastic, had no paint on it.

 

[Slipperyeel]

I'll get a couple of pics brie I clean it. If only for my own record. I won't renew the ACF either, so that should help.

I was thinking earlier that after nearly 500 miles, when I cleaned it last (first after collecting it) I saw nothing like this, so right now the Dury is out. But I'm interested to learn about the oil cooler pipe. At some point I'll have it all apart. Just want planning just yet.

Will share the pics. This might be useful for others new to ACF50

 

[andeebee]

Also worth checking the timing cover bolts are all nipped up to correct torque, which isnt much admittedly, but easy to check.

 

[Bendy toy]

It's unlikely to be the oil cooler. Oil from there is unlikely to get directly to the cylinders without messing up elsewhere. One pipe connects down on the left of the engine. The other is on top to the right.

The oil cooler pipe connections might leak but they are easy enough to check. No point in torque checking screws unless you have reason to believe they are loose. You risk over-tighteneing and damaging threads.

The crank sensor is totally hidden away.

 

[Slipperyeel]

Did a couple hundred miles today, last hour through town (why do people buy cars and then drive then through the middle of town?!). So in all, if there was a leak, I'd expect to see a little evidence.

I'm pleased to say there's nothing. I could neither see anything or find anything on my finger after wiping it in numerous places.

So at this point, my conclusion is, I was a little too liberal with the ACF50. The bummer is, I've had to negotiate some salted roads this evening so I'm gonna have to wash it (again) and get more ACF onto it!

 

[Buckingham]

It's more work I guess, but so much more effective to apply ACF50 with a compressor & spray gun, you only need the thinnest possible application else it gets
everywhere.

 

[Popell]

It's more work I guess, but so much more effective to apply ACF50 with a compressor & spray gun, you only need the thinnest possible application else it gets
everywhere.

Well I’ve got a compressor and it came with a couple of spray guns (still unused), got any tips on best application method?

I have visions of hitting the trigger and doin* the entire garage!

 

[Slipperyeel]

It's more work I guess, but so much more effective to apply ACF50 with a compressor & spray gun, you only need the thinnest possible application else it gets
everywhere.

I can see that now (not that I thought I went particularly mad by the way). But yes, the lighted film is quite robust. And after cleaning it (it does clean up very well) I now understand that the colour of the dribbles I saw were most likely the effects of the ACF 'cleaning' the bolts. They were very light in colour and didn't smell of engine oil

 

[Slipperyeel]

Wrong picture. Won't let me delete it!

 

[Delboy777]

A HVLP spray gun available on evilbay for about £15 and a small compressor is the way to do it. You will find you will use very little to coat your bike with. I used about on fill of the spray gun when i did it to my bike. 1ltr will last about 3 years or more.

 

[Bendy toy]

Here’s the full kit for £25
240V 800ml Electric https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/252681580052
You might need to thin the ACF with white spirit.


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