Crank seal symptoms?

[Coolidge]

My 89 CR500 seems to run great, except for, I cant seem to get it to idle. There is no excessive smoke, no spooge out the exhaust, and it seems to have plenty of bottom/top end power. Would a worn crank seal(s) cause bike not to idle? I would have thought a air leak would cause a really lean condition, with a high idle. Anyways, except for the fact that my bike doesnt want to idle, it runs great. Top end is fresh BTW. Thanks for any input in advance

[seanmx57]

ever heard of a leak down test. If there is a leak, you won't be able to hold 6 lbs of air. Do a search on this test.

[britincali]

If it aint smoking its not the seals.

Top end is fresh BTW.

Is the piston in the right way around?

[MojoScojo]

If it aint smoking its not the seals.

Wha?

Worn seals let air in. Extra air = lean condition. Lean = no smoke.

Am I wrong?

[AlisoBob]

I think Brit is focusing on the gear side... Worn seals sucking in tranny oil = smoke.

[AlisoBob]

I cant seem to get it to idle.

It does have a PJ, and you do konw how to adjust it ( Spin the choke knob for idle speed, A/S for mixture) correct?

[britincali]

If it aint smoking its not the seals.

Wha?

Worn seals let air in. Extra air = lean condition. Lean = no smoke.

Am I wrong?

The mag side seal almost never goes out and if it did happen to be bad the bike would be sucking air and idling high.

[Coolidge]

I cant seem to get it to idle.

It does have a PJ, and you do konw how to adjust it ( Spin the choke knob for idle speed, A/S for mixture) correct?

Yes, I messed w/it this past weekend (choke/idle knob). Plus adjusted airscrew. I got burned out working on it in the dez, so I continued riding my XR all weekend. Twice I had to push the bike back after it died on a low idle. That kinda sucked....Im gonna check the seals, carb, boots, etc anyway. BTW, thx for GSS contact info. Turns out he's real close to where Im at in Lancaster/Palmdale.

[Coolidge]

If it aint smoking its not the seals.

Wha?

Worn seals let air in. Extra air = lean condition. Lean = no smoke.

Am I wrong?

The mag side seal almost never goes out and if it did happen to be bad the bike would be sucking air and idling high.

So, If left side is worn, it would suck air and idle high. If bad on rt (clutch) side, oil would be pumping thru motor, causing smoke,but not affecting idle? Si?

[AlisoBob]

Pretty much....

[100hp honda]

shot in the dark here but maybe have a look at the pilot. it happened to me, pilot was 2-3 sizes too big, wouldnt idle but ran great other wise. dropped the pilot a few sizes and it was good to go.

[iggys-amsoil]

I think someone once said that if you turn the choke knob clockwise, all the way in, its about 8-8 1/2 turns out before it will idle? Sorry, I'm not gona test that.

[Coolidge]

Im gonna futz with it mañana. I have a feeling its pilot/in the carb too. I'll post up when I find something. Im thinking (hoping) the seals are OK, as it really runs/sound good

[CR500PHIL]

If it aint smoking its not the seals.

Top end is fresh BTW.

Is the piston in the right way around?

I had a RM125 (I still wonder why) way back and it had the clutch side crank seal gone and that much splooge came out of the exhaust that the rear caliper was covered after a couple hour ride. The good news is it is not a big deal to replace.

[Coolidge]

OK, good news. I had a chance to remove rear subframe, R&R some funky hardware, and generally clean things up. I didnt fully disassemble carb, just set air screw, idle/choke, tightened things up. I then removed Ign side cover. Absolutely dry. Only issue was some corrosion on flywheel (PO used to go to Pismo) anyways, I cleaned up flywheel, sealed tattered frt grommet, reinstalled Boyesen cover. Now bike fires 2nd kick cold w/choke, Then settles down to a nice idle. I'll post some pics as I get er ready and cleaned up. Thanks all ~Guy

[MojoScojo]

Sounds like she just wanted some attention.

[Coolidge]

Sounds like she just wanted some attention.

Thats what I was thinkin'. Who knows what the PO did (or didnt do)? Now Im just dialing in the plastics, and adding some gold Excel wheels I had laying around. Then suspension...