I have a 1991 Lemans engine problem

[JerrysGuzzi]

I bought a used 1991 Cal 3 with 1000cc Lemans engine. I checked the torque of the heads and it was right on. How ever, I suspect the rubber o rings must be bad (pinched maybe). Rode the bike 2.5 miles down our dirt road and had oil dripping on boots.
When I visit Guzzi tech., the download says it has to do a change? and it wants to add MyWay.com to my pc. Before I let that happen again, I'd pay someone for a copy of the shop manual.
I have a manual for standard 1000cc with 36mm carbs (and those look like my 850 Eldorado)

 

[Amboman]

I bought a used 1991 Cal 3 with 1000cc Lemans engine. I checked the torque of the heads and it was right on. How ever, I suspect the rubber o rings must be bad (pinched maybe). Rode the bike 2.5 miles down our dirt road and had oil dripping on boots.
When I visit Guzzi tech., the download says it has to do a change? and it wants to add MyWay.com to my pc. Before I let that happen again, I'd pay someone for a copy of the shop manual.
I have a manual for standard 1000cc with 36mm carbs (and those look like my 850 Eldorado)

Your leak could be from any number of other areas. When you checked the head nut torque did you replace the o-ring on the underside of the cover plugs over the top head nuts? Those become hardened with age and leak. Also check to make sure the oil supply line to the heads isn't leaking, same with the oil pressure switch. It could also be a cracked breather hose - the long "S" shaped one between the engine and frame or smaller ones.

 

[john zibell]

When you checked the head nut torque did you replace the o-ring on the underside of the cover plugs over the top head nuts?

I think using the plural "nuts" confused me on this. I believe you mean the one o-ring under the access plug to the top cylinder 10mm Allen nut. This is one o-ring I hardly ever replace as there is only oil mist in that area and the lip of the cover plug itself makes a pretty good seal.

 

[Amboman]

I think using the plural "nuts" confused me on this. I believe you mean the one o-ring under the access plug to the top cylinder 10mm Allen nut. This is one o-ring I hardly ever replace as there is only oil mist in that area and the lip of the cover plug itself makes a pretty good seal.

I used the plural "nuts" because there is one on each side. I've found that o-ring to be a source of leaks often enough that I change it on customer's bike every time I have the rocker cover off. There's a lot more than "oil mist" in the rocker area and it can find it's way past the cover plug if the o-ring is not sealing.

 

[JerrysGuzzi]

Your leak could be from any number of other areas. When you checked the head nut torque did you replace the o-ring on the underside of the cover plugs over the top head nuts? Those become hardened with age and leak. Also check to make sure the oil supply line to the heads isn't leaking, same with the oil pressure switch. It could also be a cracked breather hose - the long "S" shaped one between the engine and frame or smaller ones.

 

[JerrysGuzzi]

I did find the cap o-rings to be hard. I pulled the gas tank for a better look. This engine has small braided oil lines, the area around the top side of head and the under side of gas tank shows it's been misting for some time. Also on the gas tank down by the fuel connection is another? something with part of a yellow wire thats been cut off, then found a black wire with female spade connector not hooked to any thing. My original Cal3 big valve engine, just starting to leak at the head oilers (131000 miles)with original rubber lines.

 

[JerrysGuzzi]

I used the plural "nuts" because there is one on each side. I've found that o-ring to be a source of leaks often enough that I change it on customer's bike every time I have the rocker cover off. There's a lot more than "oil mist" in the rocker area and it can find it's way past the cover plug if the o-ring is not sealing.

Good idea to change those rubbers. Going to pull my 91's covers and change. Thanks for the tip.

 

[JerrysGuzzi]

I did find if you having trouble starting your high mileage Guzzi's, you'll save your self some money by changing out the ignition switch.
I had trouble from Tx to Okla last year and thought the wires were just coming off the switch ends, it was really bad in Ohio this last May. Everytime it wouldn't start I put in new plugs(wrong ones BP7ES in Lemans). Blue gave me the switch off this 91 I'd bought used, I changed it and made it back to Arkansas, but stater was toast by then. New starter from MG cycle, BPr6ES plugs and this old girl is running like new.

 

[john zibell]

This is an excellent replacement for the stock oil feed to the heads. http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68_162&products_id=4361 It might be a good idea to start with the easy to replace and go from there.

 

[JerrysGuzzi]

Have one on order. Found something else. The rocker arms have shims maybe to take up slop/ 2 steel 4 brass none have same measure in mm and one brass one is cracked and a sliver missing. Any ideas here.

 

[john zibell]

Have one on order. Found something else. The rocker arms have shims maybe to take up slop/ 2 steel 4 brass none have same measure in mm and one brass one is cracked and a sliver missing. Any ideas here.

A spring and two thin washers per rocker/shaft are factory. It looks like someone tried to get fancy and use solid spacers. In my opinion, more trouble than benefit as the factory system works just fine. Take a look at a parts manual. Harper's has them on line. If you go back to stock, assembly order is from the outside, one thin washer, rocker, spring, thin washer. I set the assembly in, then use a long 3/8 drive extension to line everything up before attempting to insert the rocker shaft.