Oil pressure sensor seal ('05 S4R)

DucHead · February 15, 2009, 07:02:38 AM

On the inside of the clutch-side engine cover is a recess for passage of oil past the pressure sensor.

I've discovered that different years/models have different diameter recesses and different seals.

Prior to removing the cover, I purchased a used item on eBay just in case I buggered my case cover.

Below is a pic of the inside of my original case, and as can be seen, the seal is small and wedged between the perforated brass insert and the case. That brass insert is IMPOSSIBLE to remove. To the left is the corresponding seal from the eBay case cover. The i.d. of the seal is the same, and the seal fits over the drive gear shaft.

My question is can I use the eBay case cover having a different diameter recess and o.d. seal?

DucHead · February 15, 2009, 08:57:27 AM

OK, I think I can answer my own question.

My service manual is for an '03 S4R (I have an '05), and the '03 uses the larger oil seal, so I think it'll be OK.

Input is still welcome.

Edit: this is wrong, the larger o.d. seal is for a 999.

ducpainter · February 15, 2009, 04:21:33 PM

I'd guess it was just an update.

â™£ McKraut â™£ · February 18, 2009, 02:12:39 PM

don't suppose you know where to find the '05 S4R workshop manual? i've found the '03 and the '06 here: http://www.duc.nu/manuals/ but would like to have the '05 for peace of mind. i have the haynes manual for aircooled bikes (still good info) and the LT synder DQ manual... but would be nice to have the official '05 duc workshop manual.

glad you figured out your seal

Speeddog · February 18, 2009, 02:23:37 PM

As a general FYI, that seal is responsible for maintaining oil pressure to the crank, and thus the connecting rods.

DucHead · February 18, 2009, 06:04:35 PM

Quote from: Speeddog on February 18, 2009, 02:23:37 PM
As a general FYI, that seal is responsible for maintaining oil pressure to the crank, and thus the connecting rods.

Right, that's pretty important!

In my '05 S4R, there's no seal as such, it's more like a rubber sleeve. All the other bikes I've looked at have viton covered steel seals (with a spring).

What gives?

Speeddog · February 18, 2009, 06:24:34 PM

Dunno.

I've not had many clutch covers off, but the ones I've seen are a seal, with a shim washer on top, retained by a snapring.

DucHead · February 18, 2009, 06:30:13 PM

Quote from: Speeddog on February 18, 2009, 06:24:34 PM
Dunno.

I've not had many clutch covers off, but the ones I've seen are a seal, with a shim washer on top, retained by a snapring.

The pic at the top of the thread shows the 999 oil seal (with a larger o.d.) on the left, and my '05 S4R seal/cover. The seals have the same i.d., but the 999 seal is viton-covered steel with a spring at the back. As can be seen, the S4R seal is more like a rubber bush. If anything, the 999 seal should do a better job of sealing (therefore more oil to the crank) than the S4R seal.

I'm planning on using the 999 cover and larger o.d. seal. Thoughts?

Speeddog · February 18, 2009, 06:36:35 PM

In that pic, did you remove a snapring and shim washer?

DucHead · February 18, 2009, 07:06:34 PM

Quote from: Speeddog on February 18, 2009, 06:36:35 PM
In that pic, did you remove a snapring and shim washer?

yes.

Speeddog · February 18, 2009, 09:14:31 PM

Quote from: pompetta on February 18, 2009, 07:06:34 PM
yes.

OK, I was worried for a minute there.

As long as the seal fits the diameter of the crank snout, you should be good to go.
No FHE on this swap.... YMMV....

Perhaps someone here (ducvet?) may know why the 999 cover takes a bigger seal.

One could assume it's a better setup, maybe it's just different.

DucHead · February 19, 2009, 03:59:52 AM

Quote from: Speeddog on February 18, 2009, 09:14:31 PM
OK, I was worried for a minute there.

As long as the seal fits the diameter of the crank snout, you should be good to go.
No FHE on this swap.... YMMV....

Perhaps someone here (ducvet?) may know why the 999 cover takes a bigger seal.

One could assume it's a better setup, maybe it's just different.

I guess I'll know if there's a problem if the pressure sensor light comes on.

And just to make things more confusing, the replacement seal for the '05 MS4R is a viton-covered steel seal with a spring -- a smaller o.d. version of the 999 seal -- and not the black seal pictured above!

clubhousemotorsports · February 19, 2009, 05:40:10 AM

My guess would be the differences between a testastretta motor and a desmoquattro.

The testastretta motor does not use ball bearings in the heads so constant oil pressure is more nessisry up there. Just a guess but I am thinking they wanted a larger volume of oil at this location.

Does the new cover have a oil line attached to the outer side of this casting? desmoquattros pulled their oil for the heads from the oil coolers. Testastrettas and most newer ducati engines tap into the oil feed by the front of the clutch cover.

DucHead · February 19, 2009, 06:26:56 AM

Quote from: ducvet on February 19, 2009, 05:40:10 AM
My guess would be the differences between a testastretta motor and a desmoquattro.

The testastretta motor does not use ball bearings in the heads so constant oil pressure is more nessisry up there. Just a guess but I am thinking they wanted a larger volume of oil at this location.

Does the new cover have a oil line attached to the outer side of this casting? desmoquattros pulled their oil for the heads from the oil coolers. Testastrettas and most newer ducati engines tap into the oil feed by the front of the clutch cover.

Thanks for the reply. This is making sense now, since the testastretta seal is much more substantial and capable of higher pressures.

Yes, the new (testastretta) cover has a threaded hole forward of the oil pressure sensor recess.

Also, the oil cooler on my desmoquattro S4R does indeed have a braided stainless line that feeds oil to the heads.

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Oil pressure sensor seal ('05 S4R)