I have to replace my 98 CR 250 water pump seal, should I do the oil seal too?

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WasArtnshel

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Dec 6, 2003

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• Aug 16, 2004

• #1

Hey, I have coolant leaking out the weep hole on my 98 CR 250 so I know I have to replace the water pump seal. The manual says to do the oil seal at the same time. Should I?

I was going to order the Honda parts from Ron Ayers but don't want to since I had a bad experience with them, is there anyplace better?

 

darringer

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Dec 2, 2001

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• Aug 16, 2004

• #2

I would definitely replace both seals. For the price of the seal, and the time it takes to do the job, it will save time and money to do them now. Also for the peace of mind.

 

D

dirt bike dave

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May 3, 2000

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• Aug 16, 2004

• #3

WasArtnshel said:

is there anyplace better?

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Check with Service Honda (link on the side of this page) or Mach 1 Motorsports in Calfiornia.

If you are tearing into the bike and looking for some extra peace of mind and don't mind spending some money, a brand new crank, rod and big end bearing assembly is about $160 for a CR250. Cheap compared to most bikes. Also cheap if your old cranks fails and takes out your cases (like mine did).

 

YZ165

YZabian

May 4, 2004

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• Aug 16, 2004

• #4

dirt bike dave said:

Check with Service Honda (link on the side of this page) or Mach 1 Motorsports in Calfiornia.

If you are tearing into the bike and looking for some extra peace of mind and don't mind spending some money, a brand new crank, rod and big end bearing assembly is about $160 for a CR250. Cheap compared to most bikes. Also cheap if your old cranks fails and takes out your cases (like mine did).

Click to expand...

I've never heard of anyone replacing the crank at the same time as a water pump seal.

 

D

dirt bike dave

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May 3, 2000

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• Aug 16, 2004

• #5

Of course he doesn't need to replace the crank to do the water seal. Just trying to share a hard earned lesson that water seals are not the only things that wear out on an older CR250.

 

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WasArtnshel

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Dec 6, 2003

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• Aug 17, 2004

• Thread starter
• #6

I understand the advice based on experience concept, but I'll probably pass on redoing the bottom end at this time and just do both seals. This bike has been super reliable over the 4 years or so I've owned it. I think this is the second time I've had the water pump seal go but other than that I've done the top end once and it runs like a top. Even this weekend with the coolant low I did 50+ miles of tight off road and it didn't miss a beat that I could detect. Could there be damage from overheating on low coolant that I'm not aware of?

Is there anywhere online that I can find a service manual?

 

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WasArtnshel

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Dec 6, 2003

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• Aug 17, 2004

• Thread starter
• #7

I checked Service honda web site as advised and will get the parts from them. I assume they'll advise me on which gaskets I have to replace. The reason I asked about it being worth doing the oil seal is because I have to pull the right case to get at it. I figure I should take it apart before I order so I can see if anything unusual is worn.

 

D

dirt bike dave

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May 3, 2000

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• Aug 17, 2004

• #8

The company that prints the service manual is Helm, located in Detroit. Not sure if you can order it online, but their phone # is 888-292-5393.

If you search around at the Service Honda page, you can view parts diagrams for your bike. There is also a shaft bearing for the water pump mounted in the sidecover. That bearing could go bad, or your water pump shaft itself might be bent, so look at those carefully.

 

YZ165

YZabian

May 4, 2004

2,431

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• Aug 17, 2004

• #9

dirt bike dave said:

Of course he doesn't need to replace the crank to do the water seal. Just trying to share a hard earned lesson that water seals are not the only things that wear out on an older CR250.

Click to expand...

I must have misunderstood. No harm, No foul.

 

YZ165

YZabian

May 4, 2004

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• Aug 17, 2004

• #10

dirt bike dave said:

or your water pump shaft itself

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The seal can wear a "groove" in to the shaft and cause premature seal failure. Deffinatly good advice from DBD.

 

C

cr2504life

Member

May 17, 2004

141

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• Aug 17, 2004

• #11

You might also want to check the bearing, if it wiggles it would wear the seals quickly too. For 5 or 10 bucks you cant really go wrong. I would chech the crank bearings while you have the cover off too just for "peace of mind" lol.

 

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WasArtnshel

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Dec 6, 2003

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• Aug 18, 2004

• Thread starter
• #12

What do I look for or how much play is acceptable in the crank?

 

R

reelrazor

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Jun 22, 2004

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• Aug 18, 2004

• #13

The seals should be lasting longer. I read something about some automotive coolants having silica in them, as an anti-corrosion/buildup prevention additive. Most japanese cars specify silica free coolant for teh seal wear factor.

Make sure the coolant you use is silica free.

 

C

cr2504life

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May 17, 2004

141

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• Aug 18, 2004

• #14

WasArtnshel said:

What do I look for or how much play is acceptable in the crank?

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Im not sure of the exact amout but i would think that if there is any play you should replace the bearings because it could cause a major failure(ie piston hitting head). Im sure you could get away with some play but..... I think in my manual it says if there is any play to replace them.

 

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WasArtnshel

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Dec 6, 2003

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• Aug 18, 2004

• Thread starter
• #15

Well I'm on my way to pulling the water pump out but I can't get my kick starter off. I pulled the bolt but the lever seems to be tight on the shaft. I sprayed some liquid wrench on it and will search this site for pulling advice on how to pull it without the recommended pulling tool. Any suggestions?

 

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WasArtnshel

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Dec 6, 2003

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• Aug 18, 2004

• Thread starter
• #16

got it

 

W

WasArtnshel

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Dec 6, 2003

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• Aug 19, 2004

• Thread starter
• #17

I think my water pump shaft is bad, it doesn't look to good even after I scotchbrited the carbonish stuff off. Since it's $43 to replace, could I email a picture of it to someone to get a second opinion?