Crankcase leak

[Arbian]

Can anyone tell me what the symptoms of a crankcase leak are and how to fix it? I have a leak on a 1980 40 series I bought and guess I will need to split crankcase and remake joint with a little gasket sealant? Leak is from small area just above the tiller arm stub.

[Keith.P]

Pretty much the same symptoms as you would get with low compression, depending on the leak.

[Hugz]

I've heard that you can use punch and a hammer either side of the leak. Could cause more problems. Never done it myself.

[Arbian]

.... what symptoms would you get from low compression?

[Keith.P]

Hard to start, will not rev fully and a little gutless.

[Arbian]

Thanks Keith, It is hard to start and seems to rev up ok but not so ken to idle. Can I gently tap round leak as Hugz suggests or should I dismantle and use gasket seal? Thanks

[Keith.P]

There is a number of ways to fix it, as it sounds like its fallen over at one point.
Depending on the severity of the leak, you could flatten off the damaged case half by using fine sand paper on glass, just use a sealer, or the hammer and punch, but watch you don't distort the casing any more doing it