VERY WORRIED - Should there be a hole? HELP

The place to discuss any issues with your Aprilia, share tips and handy reference links

Moderators: Aladinsaneuk, MartDude, D-Rider, Moderators

Post Reply
Message
Author
User avatar
fastrider
Despatch Rider
Posts: 64
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:49 pm

VERY WORRIED - Should there be a hole? HELP

#1 Post by fastrider » Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:31 pm

ALL,

Still continuing my Falco swingarm conversion to 06 Mille one, just waiting to get the pivot bush ground by an Engineering firm. Sooooooo I decided to clean the rear of the enging and inside of the frame.

Put Gunk on and washed off, all well and good, then I noticed some milky coloured stuff running down, obviously oil contaminated with water :smt017

Closer inspection shows that directly along the gasket line sealing the two engine halves together and just above the top most joining bolt there is a 2cm long gap/hole??? :smt009

Now, daft question that this may be, but I need calming down from either a Mechanic on here or someone who knows about the engine casing on this bike. Have I got a hole in the casing or should this be there for a particular reason?? (My thought is that it should NOT be there, but I ain't 100 % sure).

If this is a hole, can it safely be repaired, or am I resigned to a new engine? :smt013

Any help appreciated.

regards all

scorpio24v
Track Day Addict
Track Day Addict
Posts: 198
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:58 pm
Location: ESSEX

#2 Post by scorpio24v » Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:42 pm

one give away is what the shape of the hole is. if its a regular shape, ie round or oblong with no jagged edges its prolly OK it MAY be just a suitabe purchase place in the crankcase to apply a lever and therefore spilt the cases during strip down. Does it "straddle" the crankcase join? Have you had a pool of oil under the bike when parked? does the bike use a lot of oil? is oil all over the rear of the engine/swing arm/ wheel?

If the answer is no to all this, then its ok. Although the engine is dry sump, if there was a hole in the case, it would still piss oil out every where.

User avatar
D-Rider
Admin
Admin
Posts: 15560
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:09 pm
Location: Coventry

#3 Post by D-Rider » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:10 pm

Not had mine apart to look but if you could post up a picture it may help those that have.

.... and as for fixing holes in things like this, have a quiet word in Kwackerz earhole ... you never know what he might be able to find for you .... :smt002

User avatar
fastrider
Despatch Rider
Posts: 64
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:49 pm

#4 Post by fastrider » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:15 pm

Scorpio24V

I have taken some pics of the rear of the engine, could I send you a couple to look at either via pm or your email?

I did think very briefly that it may be a leverage hole to split the case, but when I put a small-ish flat blade screwdriver in it, it went in quit a way. That's when I got worried. I have never noticed this previously, but then again, it would normally be fairly well hidden behind the rear exhaust downpipe.

I have not noticed any pools of oil under the bike, although it was very dirty with grime and old chain oil. I had a chain snap on me a while back, (making good progress in outside lane of M1), it took a few scrapes out the rear wheel, before flying up wraping itself round my tail pack (unbeknownst to me - all I noticed was lack of forward drive :smt001 ), lucky to be alive I suppose too. Anyway I thought the chain may have caused it, but the looking at the position of the hole it's well away from the chain.

Thanks for your help.

User avatar
fastrider
Despatch Rider
Posts: 64
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:49 pm

#5 Post by fastrider » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:24 pm

D-Rider,

Thanks for tip, will keep Kwackerz in mind. I may be able to get hold of him from work, once I know where he is locted.

I take it you have to subscribe to photobucket or something to be able to post pics on here? Unfortunately I don't subscribe to much online stuff.

regards

scorpio24v
Track Day Addict
Track Day Addict
Posts: 198
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:58 pm
Location: ESSEX

#6 Post by scorpio24v » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:44 pm

Just been out to the garage and looked at mine DONT PANIC if its the elogated "D" shaped hole just below the engine number top rear eng mount in the rhs case only, mines got one too :smt001
it is indeed a slot for a lever, hence the depth. if it wasnt there some gorrila in the future may be tempted to hammer a screwdriver in the joint, now that would be cause for concern

fastasfcuk
SuperBike Racer
SuperBike Racer
Posts: 1424
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

#7 Post by fastasfcuk » Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:31 pm

no need to panic mate we've all got one,(a gap that is) sleep tight.

User avatar
fastrider
Despatch Rider
Posts: 64
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:49 pm

#8 Post by fastrider » Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:14 pm

Scorpio24v
Have posted some pics to address you gave, thanks mate.
And it is indeed an elongated "D" shape just below the engine numbers.

Thanks for taking the time out to check your bike for me too,
and Fastasfcuk thanks for confirmation also. Really appreciate your help chaps.

A sigh of relief now echoes through my garage. Thanks :smt006 :smt003

Post Reply