I am in the process of restoring a V50 MK3 and have run into a issue with the lower crankcase oil seep plugs. A picture is better than a thousand words so the one below shows 3 plugs in place and just a hole where the missing one should be.
The missing plug was a pile of debris in the sump. I can’t find any reference to these plugs in the parts or workshop manuals so can anyone help with information about them or even better where to get one from.
I came across this a few years ago. According to Gutsibits only some crankcases were built like this. You are correct that there is no mention in the parts book or manual. Parts are not available. My Mk3 has been on the road for a few years now with two plugs missing.
If I have to strip the engine in the future I plan to use some thick rubber and make some bungs.
Steve.
Thanks Steve, helpful to know it will run OK without them.
Rod
Are they like sludge traps?
Not really sludge traps as not in the sump and there is no way to clean them unless you strip the engine. Taking the sump off only allows access to the underside of them. They just seem to be a way of creating a temporary oil bath under the crankshaft while the engine is running. Even Guzziology doesn’t mention them so I guess they were only used on a smallish numebr of engines.
Hi,
They are possibly to do with the casting of the crankcase. Other models do not need the plugs as the cases have no holes. It will create a small oil bath below the crankshaft but mine has run fine without them. The pictures I have are exactly the same as previously posted.
Steve
Made a blanking plate for the missing seep plug. 2 pieces of ally plate bolted together and locked off with high strength loctite and a second nut on each bolt so they won’t viabrate loose. Top piece had to be shaped to fit as the case has a concave profile top to bottom and a convex curve into the centre oil drain side to side as you look at it.
Not very pretty as I had to do the whole thing with hand tools apart from drilling through the plates. Should work fine and invisible once the engine is built up although I hate bodges like this. Thanks to everyone who made suggestions re getting replacement plugs etc. I made loads of calls and emails but it seems that these plugs were never made available as a spare.
Anyone got a 3D printer who could knock some up? 
