The orange O-ring ?

VMAX  Forum

Help Support VMAX Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

firefly

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2006
Messages
874
Reaction score
3
Location
California
What about using a small section of a rubber hose, the hose gets supported by the 90* pipe from underneath and extends beyond the lips that hold the stock o-ring as far as possible, it should fit very snug, something like this photo.
 

Attachments

  • CIMG0004%20-%20Resize - Copy.jpg
    CIMG0004%20-%20Resize - Copy.jpg
    95.1 KB · Views: 88
I'd agree, because the hose would be going from the outside of the elbow, to the inside of the block(if I understand correctly?)

That would cause a taper in the hose, and under pressure that taper would act like a wedge and blow it out.

The "free" fix is to just use bailing wire to tie the elbow up. Someone here did that and posted pictures of it. Loop it around and use pliers to twist the ends tightening it.

Or maybe stick a couple quarters under the bumper piece so it pushes the elbow in a little farther. A new bumper is like $15, quarters only cost $0.25 and achieve the same effect.
 
Cheap fix is not the issue especially when your good engine seizes from this stupid thing, I've seen a bracket fix but it doesn't look durable, the most important thing in a fix is to allow for vibration without coming apart, something that blocks the O-ring from bulging downward & at the same time allows for up & down movement, apparently the stock damper at the bottom does half the job & does not address the O-ring bulging, may be the first idea of the hose instead of going in the block we can make it end below the lower O-ring lip to fill the space where the O-ring bulges from.
 

Attachments

  • CIMG0004%20-%20Resize - Copy (2).jpg
    CIMG0004%20-%20Resize - Copy (2).jpg
    100.5 KB · Views: 68
Last edited:
I've replaced both of my O-Rings with the Kawasaki O-Ring and and installed COO Oil Pressure Gauges.... Should be a reliable, forever fix....
 
Yeah, Idea won't work. I am sure an additional clamp which draws the upper pipe and lower pipe together can be done if someone wanted to engineer it. I actually like safety wire tying it and have used a really trick wire tying kit found at Daytona. Wire is strong, malleable, quick and easy to use. If I were an engine builder, I would include it free with a Kawasaki o ring update or any engine rebuild.
 
Not sure that I understand why it has to be able to move?

I installed the kawi washer and put the COO pop stopper under the elbow. This setup doesn't allow for movement. At least I know its not coming out.

Also did Seans oil pump upgrades
 
Not sure that I understand why it has to be able to move?

I installed the kawi washer and put the COO pop stopper under the elbow. This setup doesn't allow for movement. At least I know its not coming out.

Also did Seans oil pump upgrades


what is the COO pop stopper?, I'll do Sean's pump gear upgrade when I get to this point in the rebiuld.
Thanks
 
An overpriced piece of plastic that replaces the rubber bumper on the bottom of the elbow. It is a solid plastic disc. It has a raised center that locates in the recess in the bottom of the elbow. It basically wedges the elbow against the oil pan and locks it in place. I really do not see a need to replace the OEM o-ring if you use the COO part.

http://www.cycleoneoff.com/vmaxpag2.html
Scroll to the bottom of the page.
 
An overpriced piece of plastic that replaces the rubber bumper on the bottom of the elbow. It is a solid plastic disc. It has a raised center that locates in the recess in the bottom of the elbow. It basically wedges the elbow against the oil pan and locks it in place. I really do not see a need to replace the OEM o-ring if you use the COO part.

http://www.cycleoneoff.com/vmaxpag2.html
Scroll to the bottom of the page.

i did the same thing, works great. the kawi o-ring didn't work for me (had a bottle jack under the bike lifting the bike up trying to get it in) so i sourced a viton o-ring that fits better than stock. i have 23(?) left. firefly , free if you send me your addr i'll send one out.
 
My understanding is the pipe itself was redesigned for 1999 and up, the Oring is bigger. I'm not finding any proof that this was an improvement and starting to suspect my own.
 
I used the kawi o-ring and a bracket on mine (someone makes them on http://vmaxchat.com/ ). The video below shows the bracket at about eight and a half minutes in, it's a strong bracket so hopefully should do the job.


http://youtu.be/_66veAGxVm8

Worth watching, just for the entertainment value alone. I thought at first that it was a Monty Python skit.
As for "The Problem", there has been mention of using a fiber-optic camera - successfully- to determine whether or not the o-ring has "popped". Wish someone would post a video of this procedure. I believe the oil plug hole is used to access the sump.
Cheers!
 
how prevalent is this issue and should I be worried about my engine? Are there warning signs prior to your engine going poof?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
 
how prevalent is this issue and should I be worried about my engine? Are there warning signs prior to your engine going poof?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Get an oil pressure gauge and keep an eye on it.
 
I've replaced both of my O-Rings with the Kawasaki O-Ring and and installed COO Oil Pressure Gauges.... Should be a reliable, forever fix....

+1 I did the same thing here Dave. I watch that gauge now. And, don't hammer it till the pressure comes down,which means the engine heated up enough.
COO has a bracket that came out after I did mine or I would have used that too. It holds the pipe tight using one of the main bearing cap bolts. I think the problem is the pipe moving as much as the o-ring.
Steve
 
how prevalent is this issue and should I be worried about my engine? Are there warning signs prior to your engine going poof?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I can only say it happened to me. Unless you bought new and took precautions, like warming up your engine, you don't know. I'm willing to bet the guy that owned my bike before me didn't have a clue about the o-ring issue.
The scope check is interesting. The oil sender hole could prolly be used too, for inspection.
Steve
 
Last edited:
Back
Top