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    Stator Grommet Solution?

    After finally getting my bike dialed in I've turned my attention to the small yet inumerable oil leaks. I have now replaced the gaskets for the breather, valve cover and oil pan. What I originally thought was the oil pan gasket leaking I am now thinking is the starter O-ring. So I planned to put a new o-ring and also re-seal the timing chain tensioner and oil pressure sending unit while i'm in there. Anyway, tonight I pulled the starter off and to my surprise found absolutely nothing resembling a grommet on the stator wiring. In comparison, the area around the wire seems to be relatively dry but I know there is supposed to be something there.

    My question is if anyone has come up with a solution for sealing the wire that doesn't involve buying a new OEM stator? My all original charging system is still functioning well and while I did plan to upgrade, i'm not quite ready to spend the $260 for a new stator.

    20180207_232547.jpg
    The current garage:
    1978 GS750
    1975 GT750M
    1984 CB700SC
    1982 XJ650 Seca Turbo
    1975 RD250 - 350 conversion

    #2
    Here's another shot so you can see all the leaks, it looks like some oil may have also been making its way in from the sending unit as well:

    20180207_232551.jpg
    The current garage:
    1978 GS750
    1975 GT750M
    1984 CB700SC
    1982 XJ650 Seca Turbo
    1975 RD250 - 350 conversion

    Comment


      #3
      Mine didn’t have a grommet ether. I looked at parts diagrams and didn’t see one. There is drain holes on the sump make sure they are clean.🏍

      Comment


        #4
        It doesn't have a grommet there. The hole you can see leads into a blind space in the outer cover. The grommet is actually on an internal wall of the outer cover.
        If you pull the cover, you'll see it.
        That hole is as big as it needs to be to pass the stator wiring harness plug through when the outer cover is removed.
        What's in the starter motor recess has come from the starter motor O ring area IMO. Pretty normal.

        Comment


          #5
          Yet another confirmation that there is no grommet there, but also have to ask: where are you shopping that a stator is $260? I want to be SURE to avoid that place. Most of the better-quality stators available are about half that amount.

          Back to the oil issue: the main gasket around the stator is the half-moon where the three wires pass from the stator cavity to the starter idler gear area. IF that is compromised, you will have oil build up around the idler gears. If you have enough oil there, it might be possible to get past the o-ring around the nose of the starter, where it pokes into the idler gear area. The amount of oil you show does not indicate a leak in either area.

          In your second picture, I see something black sneaking into the corner of the starter cavity directly behind the cylinders. Can't tell if that is the starter wire or a vent hose. Not sure if your bike has a vent hose, but my shaft-driven bikes do. The vent empties into the starter cavity as a semi-protected area, and there is a large drain hole (also known as "the mystery hole") below the starter. It empties out the middle of the drain pan, which could easily lead you to think you have an oil pan leak.

          .
          sigpic
          mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
          hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
          #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
          #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
          Family Portrait
          Siblings and Spouses
          Mom's first ride
          Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
          (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

          Comment


            #6
            I use a bit of carb spray to clean the grommet and then apply some Ultra Black RTV around the wires and massage it in. Then a nice amount around the grommet as well and install the unit.
            MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
            1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

            NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


            I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Steve View Post
              Yet another confirmation that there is no grommet there, but also have to ask: where are you shopping that a stator is $260? I want to be SURE to avoid that place. Most of the better-quality stators available are about half that amount.

              Back to the oil issue: the main gasket around the stator is the half-moon where the three wires pass from the stator cavity to the starter idler gear area. IF that is compromised, you will have oil build up around the idler gears. If you have enough oil there, it might be possible to get past the o-ring around the nose of the starter, where it pokes into the idler gear area. The amount of oil you show does not indicate a leak in either area.

              In your second picture, I see something black sneaking into the corner of the starter cavity directly behind the cylinders. Can't tell if that is the starter wire or a vent hose. Not sure if your bike has a vent hose, but my shaft-driven bikes do. The vent empties into the starter cavity as a semi-protected area, and there is a large drain hole (also known as "the mystery hole") below the starter. It empties out the middle of the drain pan, which could easily lead you to think you have an oil pan leak.

              .
              Thanks everyone for the heads up that the grommet goes in the cover itself. I guess there is no issue with mine. As for the price of the stator parts outlaw lists the generator assembly at $252.62 im sure it could be had cheaper but I just took a quick look while ordering some misc gaskets.

              That wire you see in the corner is the lead that goes to the oil pressure sending unit just under the cam chain tensioner.

              If I read your comment correct it would seem the starter O-ring is a "Secondary" seal as there really shouldn't be much oil in the starter gear area in the first place, correct? I think I had mistakenly identified the oil pan gasket leaking. Now I have oil covering the left hand side of the oil pan and it appears to be originating under the sprocket cover on that side. The shift shaft seal and Gear indicator switch are not leaking so that led me to believe the starter O-ring. I'm just going to replace that and the tensioner gasket and go from there
              The current garage:
              1978 GS750
              1975 GT750M
              1984 CB700SC
              1982 XJ650 Seca Turbo
              1975 RD250 - 350 conversion

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by The1970's View Post
                Thanks everyone for the heads up that the grommet goes in the cover itself. I guess there is no issue with mine. As for the price of the stator parts outlaw lists the generator assembly at $252.62 im sure it could be had cheaper but I just took a quick look while ordering some misc gaskets.
                Although Parts Outlaw is a favorite of many of us here, I guess nobody has thought of getting an OEM stator.

                The fact that you have a 12-pole stator make is a bit harder to find, but they are available.
                Electrosport. for $119
                Electrosport stator from Amazon for $82.52.
                Electrosport stator on eBay for $87.21.

                Interesting to note that they are all Electrosport stators (yes, even the same part number). Most of us here agree that it is probably one of the better stators available.

                .
                sigpic
                mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
                hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
                #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
                #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
                Family Portrait
                Siblings and Spouses
                Mom's first ride
                Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
                (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

                Comment


                  #9
                  Much of the oil you find in the cavity under the starter on a GS is from a leaking cam chain tensioner.

                  Don't just replace the gasket for the cam chain tensioner -- replace the seal and o-rings.

                  Here are complete instructions with part numbers and everything:
                  1983 GS850G, Cosmos Blue.
                  2005 KLR685, Aztec Pink - Turd II.3, the ReReReTurdening
                  2015 Yamaha FJ-09, Magma Red Power Corrupts...
                  Eat more venison.

                  Please provide details. The GSR Hive Mind is nearly omniscient, but not yet clairvoyant.

                  Celeriter equita, converteque saepe.

                  SUPPORT THIS SITE! DONATE TODAY!

                  Co-host of "The Riding Obsession" sport-touring motorcycling podcast at tro.bike!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    How will the tensioner leak into the starter well?? I can see the oring at the end of the starter motor weeping oil past it though.
                    MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                    1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                    NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                    I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by chuck hahn View Post
                      How will the tensioner leak into the starter well?? I can see the oring at the end of the starter motor weeping oil past it though.
                      It's both. Volume-wise, a starter motor o-ring can probably leak more oil than a leaky cam chain tensioner seal.

                      There's a slot in the wall of the starter cavity where the starter cable exits. Oil drips from the seal on the cam chain tensioner onto the engine, then runs into the starter cavity and out the Mystery Hole. I've also seen the oil pressure switch leaking, but that isn't common.


                      The slot in this pic of an old GS850 engine is at the bottom left of the upper orange circle.


                      Here's the outlet of the Mystery Hole. The blue tubing is only there to show they're connected.


                      Basically, any fluids on top of the engine will make their way into the starter cavity and out the Mystery Hole.
                      1983 GS850G, Cosmos Blue.
                      2005 KLR685, Aztec Pink - Turd II.3, the ReReReTurdening
                      2015 Yamaha FJ-09, Magma Red Power Corrupts...
                      Eat more venison.

                      Please provide details. The GSR Hive Mind is nearly omniscient, but not yet clairvoyant.

                      Celeriter equita, converteque saepe.

                      SUPPORT THIS SITE! DONATE TODAY!

                      Co-host of "The Riding Obsession" sport-touring motorcycling podcast at tro.bike!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by bwringer View Post
                        Don't just replace the gasket for the cam chain tensioner -- replace the seal and o-rings.

                        Here are complete instructions with part numbers and everything:
                        http://www.bwringer.com/gs/camchaintens.html
                        Yep I can see a portion of my leaking oil is coming from the tensioner and pouring into the starter cavity right where the oil pressure sending unit wire comes through.

                        About the tensioner rebuild though: I only saw the base gasket and 1 O-ring on the parts outlaw site. Does my 78 GS750 have a different tensioner than your 850? Or is there somewhere else to get the seal and other O-ring from?

                        Edit: Now that I actually read the top of your site it makes sense
                        The current garage:
                        1978 GS750
                        1975 GT750M
                        1984 CB700SC
                        1982 XJ650 Seca Turbo
                        1975 RD250 - 350 conversion

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Isnt that slot the one the oil switch wire passes into and isnt it also encased in a rubber grommet that slips into said slot...if my memory serves me correctly?? In which case a leaky tensioner gasket shouldnt get oil into the starter well??? Im not out looking at any of my bikes right now but I will in the morning now.

                          If so, then a little swipe of RTV there should eliminate any leakage too.
                          Last edited by chuck hahn; 02-09-2018, 10:05 PM.
                          MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                          1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                          NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                          I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            No, there's no grommet on that slot. The starter wire passes through there, and depending on the bike, a few other wires and tubes. Water and whatnot drain through the slot, into the bottom of the starter cavity, into an empty space between the crankcase castings, and out the Mystery Hole. This is right, normal, good, and by design so the starter doesn't drown.

                            I started calling it the Mystery Hole a while back because we would regularly see posts from people who were tracking an oil leak or just generally rummaging around in the seldom-seen areas underneath their engine, and would FREAK OUT because OMFGWTFBBQ THERE'S A HOLE IN THE ENGINE!?!?!?!?!??!!!???

                            I recall more than one person who sealed the Mystery Hole with epoxy, and several who had to be stopped from doing this. If the Mystery Hole is sealed up, the starter cavity will fill up with oily water the first time you ride or park in the rain. And you can imagine how marinating the starter only leads to heartache and angst.

                            If oil is coming out the Mystery Hole, it's the o-ring on the nose of the starter and/or oil from a leaky cam chain tensioner.

                            You can also get oil in the neighborhood of the Mystery Hole from a leaking o-ring around the gear position switch.
                            1983 GS850G, Cosmos Blue.
                            2005 KLR685, Aztec Pink - Turd II.3, the ReReReTurdening
                            2015 Yamaha FJ-09, Magma Red Power Corrupts...
                            Eat more venison.

                            Please provide details. The GSR Hive Mind is nearly omniscient, but not yet clairvoyant.

                            Celeriter equita, converteque saepe.

                            SUPPORT THIS SITE! DONATE TODAY!

                            Co-host of "The Riding Obsession" sport-touring motorcycling podcast at tro.bike!

                            Comment

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