Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: AwL on September 18, 2012, 05:07:54 am

Title: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: AwL on September 18, 2012, 05:07:54 am
When i changed oil first time on used 2009 G5 the small o ring was missing.  Is there a definitive opinion on whether or not the small o ring is necessary?  This bike has the 2 bolt oil filter cover.
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: TWinOKC on September 18, 2012, 09:53:56 pm
Necessity of the small o-ring for the filter is definitely debatable.  I wasn't sure so I just put one in anyway.  Probably not needed.   :-\
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: Arizoni on September 18, 2012, 10:24:52 pm
According to the Parts List there are three O-rings that I feel are vital to the filter area.

There are two thick, large O-rings (#29) that go on either end of the filter cartridge.
These seal the ends of the filter to prevent the oil from bypassing the filter.

There is one thin, large O-ring (#35) that goes in the groove on the cover.  This is the primary seal for the filter cap.
There is a paper flat gasket that also seals the cover but I consider it to be a secondary seal as usually these flat gaskets under pressure do a poor job of sealing.
The flat gasket could be there to lower the spring pressure to lower the point where the pressure relief valve opens and if so, that's a good reason to leave it in place.

The other smaller O-ring (#34) is shown going between the spring for the pressure relief valve plate (#31) and the oil filter cap (#37).
This appears to act as a buffer between the spring and the aluminum cap, probably intended to prevent the hardened steel spring from wearing a hole thru the aluminum cap.

If your motorcycle is equipped with the self contained filter cap and pressure relief valve assembly, you would never know this O-ring was there under normal servicing.
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: Ducati Scotty on September 18, 2012, 11:46:22 pm
That little one on the shaft attached to the oil filter cover is to keep oil from flowing between the spring plate and the shaft it rides on, bypassing the filter.

Scott
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: ace.cafe on September 29, 2012, 05:45:28 pm
I have just received word from one owner in India who had an engine failure due to a failed O-ring. This was a seizure which destroyed the piston and bent the con rod, and also wrecked the head. Apparently multiple failure points.

The email is not fully detailed, but reads as follows:
"Hi Tom, I have been able to complete the engine rebuild at RE service centre.  The understanding I received for seizure is that oil was not cirulating. It was flowing back and not going through the oil filter due to a faulty o ring. This resulted oil flowing back into the sump."

I don't have the info on exactly which o-ring this was, but I would say that if you have opportunity to check any/all o-rings involved in the oil system during periodic maintenance, it might be a good idea.

Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: Arizoni on September 30, 2012, 06:30:48 am
Very strange.
If a UCE engine isn't getting oil downstream of the oil filter the hydraulic lifters should collapse causing a hell of a racket.

If the person was on a Iron Barrel or AVL there probably wouldn't be much of a warning.
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: Kevin Mahoney on September 30, 2012, 06:37:33 am
This is a critical o-ring and should be serviced or at least inspected each oil change. This is one reason that it is good to use a dealer or at least know what you are doing when you service your own bike. The RE is designed for simple service and to be within the capabilities of the average human being, but you still have to know what you are looking at.
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: mattsz on September 30, 2012, 10:40:45 am
Does someone have any images to illustrate where all these o-rings go?  A parts diagram would help, but they don't always give a good idea where things actually go.

When I bought my bike, I asked the "sales" dealer to provide a couple of spare oil filters and whatever o-rings are needed for the filters.  He delivered only one o-ring for each filter, and it turns out they didn't match *any* of the sizes that came out of the engine at the first filter change.  They appeared to be close in diameter to the o-ring that seats on the filter cover, but they were too thick to fit in the cover's groove.

The dealer who did the actual first oil change didn't have any Enfield filters or o-rings... or oil, for that matter.  All the old o-rings were reused.  Happily, I had brought one of my filters with me...   >:(
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: hortoncode3 on September 30, 2012, 10:59:36 am
I just bought a complete set of rings from Hitchcocks due to the fact I'll be popping off the side of the case this winter to change out the front sprocket. My goal is to hit my local parts store (who has an amazing supply of industrial o rings) and match them up for spares. Beats waiting a half a month for O rings! The case seal is another matter!
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: sparklow on September 30, 2012, 04:28:19 pm
My 2011 B5 has the three screw type oil filter cap. I did not find (or maybe notice) a small o ring with setup. Is a small o ring that is user changeable used with this newer type cap?
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: Ducati Scotty on September 30, 2012, 05:43:07 pm
The smallest oring is part of the three bolt cap assembly that comes off the remove the oil filter.  If you remove the small Allen bolt there will be two plates and a spring that come off.  The small oring is sandwiched between the two plates and rides on the center column the bolt came out of.  If you don't disassemble it you may never notice it. 

Also, the oil filter cap can be removed without changing the oil.  Just put the bike on its side stand and let it sit for a while, all the oil will drain into the engine and you can remove and reinstall the cap with just the slightest dribble of oil.

Scott
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: sparklow on September 30, 2012, 06:17:25 pm
Thanks, good info. Might be a good idea to check on the condition of that small o ring now and then, but it certainly doesn't sound like it will need to replaced often.
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: singhg5 on September 30, 2012, 10:03:35 pm
Does someone have any images to illustrate where all these o-rings go?  A parts diagram would help, but they don't always give a good idea where things actually go.


Have a look at this -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo0IW8JVS_I
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: sparklow on October 01, 2012, 12:29:54 am
Video of your oil change on the G5 is very good however the oil filter cover on my bike is the three bolt type, a bit different. I didn't see a place to remove and replace the small o ring when doing an oil change on my 2011 B5.
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: Ducati Scotty on October 21, 2012, 09:43:14 pm
So I took a pic while I was doing an oil change.  You've got the bolt, the large gold washer, the tiny o-ring, and the small silver washer.  All of this sits on top of the spring and bolts to the oil filter cap.

(http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/gallery/medium_2695-211012153445.jpeg) (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action-gallery;sa=view;id=4071)

Hmmmm...  I think that gold washer is supposed to sit with the ridge pointing in to help center the o-ring.  Guess I'm heading down to the garage again.... ;)

Scott
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: Arizoni on October 22, 2012, 04:49:57 am
Yah.  A few days ago when I changed my oil and filter I looked for the "small O-ring" and found it under the silver washer.
The silver washer is spring loaded against the O-ring and the only way to get to it is to disassemble the spring loaded cap.
Why anyone would ever want to do that is beyond me.  That O-ring will last 30 years if it is left alone.

I'm pretty sure your gold (brass?) washer is mounted correctly in the photo.
The big O-ring between the washer and the filter sits outside the "bump" on the washer, being almost equal to the outside diameter of the gold washer.
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: Ducati Scotty on October 22, 2012, 04:58:12 am
Yes, it is mounted correctly.  I was thinking backwards. 

All the I-rings get stiff after a while.  I always check them all and replace as needed.

Scott
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: barenekd on October 22, 2012, 10:14:38 pm
Quote
The case seal is another matter!

When I needed a new timing cover gasket,  CMA sent me a tube of sealer. No gasket needed. Get some Permatex Black Gasket Maker. it will work fine, probably than the gasket. Follow the instructions, though, and be careful around some oil passages. They don't like to be clogged.
Bare
Title: Re: Small oil filter o ring
Post by: Ducati Scotty on October 22, 2012, 10:17:58 pm
+1 After having just done the 10K service and popped the right side case off.  I used the paper gasket but next time I'd use Permatex.  It's a big floppy gasket to keep in place while you get it all together, kind of a pain.

Scott