150cc engine leaking oil when running

[Mayito88]

Hi everyone.... I was taking my kids for a ride on their Chinese buggy and when we park I noticed a oil leak... Can someone help me identify the problem.... Apparently is leaking from the variator side.... But the seal is there.. also the crankshaft moves up and down when running. Is this normal? Will a need seal stop the crankshaft play!

 

[Karttekk]

A new seal could help but you may need a bushing change. Try a seal first, they leak where the long stem is below the cylinder head.

 

[Karttekk]

Here's the 150cc shop manual

https://americanlandmaster.com/pdfs/LUTV/150cc-service-manual-14589R4.pdf

 

[madprofessor]

Don't know how you can tell the crankshaft is moving laterally while it's running, but if true there's a very serious problem. You should not run it again until the issue with the bad bearing is resolved. Endplay (straight in/out) is normal to a very tiny fraction of measurement of the crankshaft. There should absolutely never be any lateral (up/down, side2side, etc.) play in the crankshaft.
The bearings must be replaced if there's lateral play in them, and of course the seals must be replaced at the same time. Get a full gasket set to seal the case back up, don't just squeeze on some gasket maker.
Note: Bearing failure might indicate the engine had been run very low on oil. Get the case set evenly horizontal and check the oil on the dipstick before you open the case, and look at the condition of the oil for being dirty or darkened. Refill with new oil no matter what.

 

[Hellion]

What he said ^^

Where's the oil leak? I see unrelated photos posted. Shoulda photo'ed the actual leak in progress.
At least with an oil leak, you know it has oil in it.

 

[madprofessor]

Looked at your service manual, which is extraordinarily complete and detailed. For the life of me I can't find a single mention of crankshaft bearings, only the oil seals. It's like the oil seals do double duty as the bearings for the crank to spin on. I'm lost, this thread needs better minds than my own to speak up about that. .

 

[Karttekk]

Dunno. That's the factory manual.