GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Engine & Gearbox => Topic started by: kquacker on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 07:30 AM

Title: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: kquacker on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 07:30 AM
I found this on stripping my 14 to repair a gear issue. It's only on the inside of the sump and looks like it's possibly from over tightening the plug underneath.The advice from a buddy who's a welder is to use an epoxy to strengthen it rather than attempting to weld it. He sorted a sump on my ZRX12 some years ago so knows what he's talking about. Anyone come across anything like this before? Or use an epoxy to repair parts like this?
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: Kiwifruit on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 03:39 PM
Probably not over tightening, most likely been hit on something. KiwiCol ripped a big hole in his after hitting a pothole.
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: KiwiCol on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 04:21 PM
Yes I did!  Hundreds of K's from home too, but that's a story for another time. 

Are you sure it's cracked?  I have a lot of aluminium castings at work & many of them have lines just like your one.  They're not cracked, even though they really look like they are. 

If it is cracked, at least it's back into the sump.  A damn good clean & epoxy would work if you're worried about it else get a 2nd hand sump from a breaker?  Seth has a couple of 14's, he can't be needing both sumps . . .
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: KiwiCol on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 04:23 PM
Actually, I've got a spare sump in the garage, I'll go see if it looks like yours.
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: KiwiCol on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 04:30 PM
Yep, mine is almost the same, in the same place & it's not a leaker.
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: VladTepes on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 04:50 PM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Tuesday, 12 May  2020, 04:23 PM
Actually, I've got a spare sump in the garage, I'll go see if it looks like yours.

When I screwed up my sump I wish I'd had a spare - managed to find one eventually and get back on the road - but haven''t been able to find a spare since.
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: KiwiCol on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 04:53 PM
Why didn't you keep the old one & fix it?
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: T 24 on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 05:21 PM
If you use epoxy, make sure you have heat-resistant quality of epoxy. Some epoxys start to melt at 60°c.
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: froudy on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 06:19 PM
I think to be honest they are casting marks rather than cracks. If you look at your rear sprocket carrier you'll find the same type of markings and are nothing to worry about.
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: steve porter on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 06:23 PM
Quote from: froudy on Tuesday, 12 May  2020, 06:19 PM
I think to be honest they are casting marks rather than cracks. If you look at your rear sprocket carrier you'll find the same type of markings and are nothing to worry about.

Agree, and think the oil just highlights them
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: grog on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 07:09 PM
Agree. Quite a few car rocker covers, timing covers etc have same/similar. I wouldnt be concerned.
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: T 24 on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 07:09 PM
Make a simple test: wipe it clean, then heat it with a gas burner, if it starts to boil up, it's a crack, if not, it's a casting mark.
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: grog on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 07:33 PM
T24, you amaze me with your genius.  :notworthy:
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: Del on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 10:39 PM
my spare one is the same there casting marks
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: Notty on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 11:48 PM
Best not to look I reckon !! :)
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: kquacker on Wednesday, 13 May 2020, 03:41 AM
Good to know that they are casting marks & common to most sumps. No issues then.
Is it worthwhile strengthening the area with an epoxy before I refit it?
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 13 May 2020, 03:55 AM
No not really.
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: seth on Wednesday, 13 May 2020, 06:45 AM
I've never had the sumps off any of the 14's I've had .
:cheers:
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: Hooli on Wednesday, 13 May 2020, 07:13 AM
Yet another reason you don't need to look inside a 14.

My sump has never been off either.
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: T 24 on Wednesday, 13 May 2020, 12:53 PM
I found that same casting mark from my old oil sump pick.
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: kquacker on Thursday, 14 May 2020, 06:50 AM
Quote from: T 24 on Tuesday, 12 May  2020, 07:09 PM
Make a simple test: wipe it clean, then heat it with a gas burner, if it starts to boil up, it's a crack, if not, it's a casting mark.
I carried out this test and nothing. So you are all correct, casting marks.
Another job off the list. Thanks all 👍
Title: Re: Sump hairline cracks
Post by: VladTepes on Thursday, 14 May 2020, 01:55 PM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Tuesday, 12 May  2020, 04:53 PM
Why didn't you keep the old one & fix it?

Did you see the pics in my thread a few pages back... A good chunk of the sump was gone...