DO NOT start engine without sproket cover!

[green_bread]

Maybe this is common sense and I just missed out, somewhere. If so, I apologize if this seems stupid to anyone.

Last weekend, I was doing an oil change and was also going to clean/lube the chain while everything was easily accessible. After doing the oil change, I started up the engine to let the new oil cycle through as you normally would. After about 5 seconds of running, oil started coming out of a couple of the holes for the sprocket cover bolts. I shut the engine off, cleaned everything up, and replaced the sprocket cover. This time, there was no leak.

Im guessing that those bolts actually hold the case cover on and apply pressure to the gasket... and having them removed allowed the little bit of crankcase pressure to push the oil past it?

Has anyone else experienced this? Am I just being dumb?

 

[Ryanthegreat1]

The holes for the chain cover into the case are not blind holes, they are through holes into the crankcase. So yes with the bolts out oil will come out of the bolt holes.

 

[ArkansasDave]

Thank you for figuring that out for me.

 

[Guyhowdy]

My top bolt is missing and I thought nothing of it...probably vibrated out. I'll have to get that replaced ASAP, thanks for the looking out!

 

[Fasteddy]

My top bolt is missing and I thought nothing of it...probably vibrated out. I'll have to get that replaced ASAP, thanks for the looking out!

Same thing happened with mine, No warranty on the special shoulder bolt! I have 5 of them on back order, heres the p/n if interested:
SPECIAL SCREW M6X24 SW6

90104060010




68 cents each...

 

[Guyhowdy]

Same thing happened with mine, No warranty on the special shoulder bolt! I have 5 of them on back order, heres the p/n if interested:
SPECIAL SCREW M6X24 SW6

90104060010




68 cents each...

Thank you! Good to know it wasn't just me, think owners should regularly check these bolts or pull them out and get some loctite on them since it seems to be a thing.