Oil leakage in the magneto

[FoxDK]

Hallo,

After a breakdown yesterday, it quickly became clear that there was no ignition is on my BSA A10, Golden Flash.

I have then discovered that some engine oil has come into the magneto (Lucas K2F), by screwing out the magneto earth brush screw. Both the slip ring and the earth brush screw is pretty oily. If I clean the screw a slip ring, the engine will run a short time, before the get oily again and die.

So I would think, that the oil seal on the magneto end, need to be replaced?

Is that a difficult job to do? Will i need any special tools? I have the tools to remove the magneto form the engine.

Regards Frederik

[groily]

Hi Frederick,
It's actually a bit of a job because you have to be able to extract the outer race of the drive end bearing from the magneto body. Getting the armature etc out isn't too bad - just be sure to remove the safety spark gap screws before pulling the thing out.
If you're going to replace the oil seal, you'll also need a new insulator to go behind the bearing race, and you may find you have to do some shimming (usually behind the inner race of the contact breaker end bearing or between the magneto body and the contact breaker end housing) to obtain the correct endfloat after the changes. So all in all, not terribly hard, but delicate and it needs tools, as well as a few parts.
It's worth saying, though, that magnetos will quite often operate with a fair bit of oil in them! So it may be there are some other factors that could be contributing to the problems you have got.
Good luck,
Bill

[a10 gf]

^^^ and take a look in here > http://www.a7a10.net/BSA/manual54/magneto.pdf for some details of the inner parts + maintenance. The bearing may sit tight, use heat, oil, patience, good tools etc.

[FoxDK]

Thank You both for your answers. I don't think that I will be able to do that by myself.

I will contact a workshop, and sent them my magneto.

Regards Frederik

[Triton Thrasher]

Are the drain holes clear?

[wilko]

Nightmare job. You'll need a few spare insulating washers before you get it right. I'll never bother with it again.

[FoxDK]

I do not suppose that the drain holes are clear, but the oil should not get into the magneto at all, after my opinion 

Ok. It sounds difficult. I have considered an electronic ignition.

Have any of You any experiences with this electronic ignition?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KIF-K2F-MAGNETO-ELECTRONIC-IGNITION-KIT-COMPLETE-REPLACEMENT-BSA-NORTON-TRIUMPH-/400709592652?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item5d4c27264c

[morris]

Looks very similar to the kit I got from Paul Goff. Remember you'll also need to convert to 12v (battery, bulbs etc) and need to install a switch.
Paul Goff's Kit comes complete with that, and installation is very straightforward.

Just have a look here;
http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=8219.0

and here;
http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffypazon.htm

[chaterlea25]

Hi Frederik
Is the engine breather is not operating correctly?
Excess crankcase pressure can cause oil to be forced into the magneto
Does the bike drip oil from the breather outlet?
Maybe the oil has built up over a long period and cleaning the mag out  will give you an opportunity to see if theres theres a need to spend lots of €,£,$'s
I would remove the points end of the magneto and flush it out with some aerosol brake cleaner and check the drain holes,.

Regards
John

[charles whitfield]

Good advice from Bill about replacing the insulator
I had a mystery misfire for a while which was very irritating
The symptom? -  under acceleration, it would miss and then run unpredictably
In the end I found that the insulator had almost disintegrated, which in turn, under load, allowed the bearing to momentarily earth the Mag out
Very pleasing moment when I found it though! - more learning
I also learned that the Mag is much older than my engine, but at least it still works
   

[Triton Thrasher]

I do not suppose that the drain holes are clear, but the oil should not get into the magneto at all, after my opinion 

Ok. It sounds difficult. I have considered an electronic ignition.

Have any of You any experiences with this electronic ignition?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KIF-K2F-MAGNETO-ELECTRONIC-IGNITION-KIT-COMPLETE-REPLACEMENT-BSA-NORTON-TRIUMPH-/400709592652?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item5d4c27264c

Looks not as good or as cheap as sending your magneto to Tony Cooper.

[FoxDK]

I've thought some time about it, and I have choosed to give the magneto a second chance. I'll disconnect the magneto and send it to repair. I will make them aware of the insulator.

John - Where is the engine breather placed? How do i check it?

Tony Cooper - Is this him? http://www.tms-motorcycles.co.uk/info/about_tms.asp

Thanks for the help! 

Regards Frederik

[madsens]

Hi FoxDK
Are you a member of the danish BSA club?

There is a member of BSA.dk , Flemming, lives in Galten, Jutland - the wizard of magnetoes, then you wouldn't need to send it that far away?

If you are a member you should be able to look him up, or get i contact with him through our chairman Bent...

regards
Joergen

[a101960]

Tony Cooper - Is this him?

No that is not Tony Cooper. Tony does not have a website. His contact details are as shown below.

Tony Cooper Motorcycles
110, Olive Lane,
Halesowen,
West Midlands,
B62 8LT

Tel 0121 5592405
Fax 0121 5612410

[chaterlea25]

Hi, Frederik
The breather outlet is at the rear of the crankcase on the left side, see photos here
http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=5072.msg34620#msg34620
and
http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php/topic,3612.msg24823.html#msg24823

When you have the timing cover off to remove the magneto check the rotating breather sleeve in the inner cover
it should NOT have any end float,
End float is taken up by fitting a thicker cork washer between the cam gear and sleeve
Do you have a manual or BSA service sheets??

Regards
John