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04-15-2008, 9:07 PM Timothy_D Joined on 04-22-2006 Santa Rosa, CA Posts 726 Alright turbo gurus, riddle me this one. . . The entire reason that I sank two grand into Racer was the oil leak from the front camshaft bearing cover. By the time the transmission crapped out (a mere 1,000 miles later) the front camshaft bearing cover was leaking again. Flash forward to today, transmission replaced, new oil seal on camshaft bearing cover, still blowing oil. Thoughts? Two CX500 Turbos, GL650I, CX650C, CX650E. Why do I own five bikes? Because I'm not married. DUH! (and I haven't taken a vacation in two years. . . . )    Report

04-16-2008, 1:52 AM Panther Joined on 05-09-2006 Las Vegas, NV Posts 273 Re: Alright turbo gurus, riddle me this one. . . Are you sure you don't have to much crankcase pressure? What about your oil psi, could it be to high? How was it repaired last time? Is this a electric fan or manual fan style cam & cover? Where exactly is the leak? Is it from the cover to block gasket or the cam end seal? Peace & Light >^..^< .......... '83 GL650swi "My Little Grey Lady" '82 GL500swi parts bike '78 DT175 '86 LS650 Milady's bike    Report

04-16-2008, 6:33 AM Don in Oz Joined on 03-10-2006 Melbourne, Australia Posts 312 Re: Alright turbo gurus, riddle me this one. . . Tim, I think we have had our differences on what constitutes an oil "seal " here before. What exactly was replaced?   The "O" ring  around the main oil gallery dowel?   The blanking plug in the front of the camshaft bearing carrier?   The gasket between the camshaft bearing carrier and the crankcase?   ( This gasket MUST be specifically for the turbo motor - if it's for any other CX500, then it WILL leak oil profusely).   The "O" rings on the fittings at either end of the oil-feed hose to the turbocharger?   The clips on the oil feed hose?   The oil feed hose itself - and its heat-shield?   Any scores/ scratches on mating surfaces? All these components - and maybe more - are suspect, when an oil leak is experienced down the front of the motor's crankcase.    Report

04-16-2008, 11:09 AM Anonymous Re: Alright turbo gurus, riddle me this one. . . I replaced the o-ring (twice), and the gasket (twice).  The gasket was one of Turbo Dan's custom copper gaskets for the turbo application. It is definitely not the oil feed tube.  My mechanic nailed it down to a very specific location on the gasket.  I'm just wondering what would cause them to fail so quickly. Warped parts, or irregular mating surfaces came to mind, I just want to pick everyone elses brain about it.  Dan's brain would be good too, as these are his gaskets.

04-16-2008, 11:10 AM Timothy_D Joined on 04-22-2006 Santa Rosa, CA Posts 726 Re: Alright turbo gurus, riddle me this one. . . Crap, that was me. Two CX500 Turbos, GL650I, CX650C, CX650E. Why do I own five bikes? Because I'm not married. DUH! (and I haven't taken a vacation in two years. . . . )    Report

04-16-2008, 5:35 PM Don in Oz Joined on 03-10-2006 Melbourne, Australia Posts 312 Re: Alright turbo gurus, riddle me this one. . . Tim, If Dan's copper gasket is even minimally thicker than the standard one, you WILL have trouble with the standard Honda "O" ring - it's really too small in cross-sectional size to do a proper job - even in its new shape.    Go find one that has about 0.5mm greater cross-section size, and use that - it must be a snug fit on the dowel. I'll be digging in my spare turbo bits today, so I'll have a look at any other likely causes.    Report

04-16-2008, 8:10 PM kingbobdole Joined on 08-19-2006 Posts 110 Re: Alright turbo gurus, riddle me this one. . . I used Dans stuff as well and just kinda picked a O ring out of a neo ring kit we have at work... Mine was rather snug, and it actually leaked for a bit... but then stopped, and there was much rejoice. I've rebuilt my front end twice.. once once so far have I done the cam cover... 1979 Honda CX500 1982 Honda CX500 TTTTUUURRRBBBOOOOOOOO!!!!!    Report

04-16-2008, 9:07 PM Timothy_D Joined on 04-22-2006 Santa Rosa, CA Posts 726 Re: Alright turbo gurus, riddle me this one. . . Further note: The first o-ring I replaced was severely pancaked (and pretty brittle from age). The o-ring that was just pulled out had minor flattening. Two CX500 Turbos, GL650I, CX650C, CX650E. Why do I own five bikes? Because I'm not married. DUH! (and I haven't taken a vacation in two years. . . . )    Report

04-17-2008, 11:40 PM Don in Oz Joined on 03-10-2006 Melbourne, Australia Posts 312 Re: Alright turbo gurus, riddle me this one. . . Tim, Get Steve to check the blanking plug in the "bottom" of the almost vertical oil way that feeds oil up to the turbo fitting - it may have become loose after manufacture. If the "O" ring is still flexible, then it should show only minor flattening.  As you can see, that "O" ring gets no help from the gasket - it's really "on its own" with the oil pressure inside it expanding it - not a very brilliant piece of Honda engineering. It should be between TWO channels - one in the block, the other in the camshaft bearing holder - not sitting on a planar face on the block.    Report

04-18-2008, 10:29 AM Anonymous Re: Alright turbo gurus, riddle me this one. . . Hey Don, I know the plug that you are talking about, and there is another one like it somewhere in the same vicinity. I believe that he has already permenently sealed both of them.  I'll send this note to him though. -Tim

04-19-2008, 5:19 AM Don in Oz Joined on 03-10-2006 Melbourne, Australia Posts 312 Re: Alright turbo gurus, riddle me this one. . . Tim, Another thing to check is the two "wells", into which the two "O" rings on their fittings, slot into - there may be some score marks inside them.   It's also possible to distort either or both of those "wells" if you don't line up the oil-tube fittings before you tighten down the bolts that hold the fittings.  I'm not talking about the grooves that the "O" rings go into, ON the fittings - I'm talking about the holes that the fittings themselves go into - one on the turbocharger, the other on the camshaft bearing holder.    Report

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