Piaggio 222478 Oil Seal 34x62x6 in Viton – Ape TM, Ape P and Ape Car Petrol

The Piaggio 222478 oil seal – the 34 x 62 x 6 mm engine oil seal – is an original Piaggio Group spare part for petrol-powered Ape three-wheelers. It is made of brown Viton, a fluorinated elastomer that withstands heat and fuel much better than common black rubber (as observed from product photographs). It features a rigid metal core and a sealing lip with a return spring.

✓ Strengths

• Original Piaggio – official code 222478, the same seal fitted at the factory
• Viton, not black rubber – the brown color is the signature of FKM: it resists heat and petrol, and ages much more slowly (as observed from product photographs)
• Standard size 34 x 62 x 6 – no doubt about fitting: these are the three dimensions
• Covers forty years of Ape models – from the 1972 Ape Car P2 to the 2016 Ape TM 703
• Costs a few euros and saves the engine – a leaking oil seal allows false air in and leans the fuel mixture: on a two-stroke engine, this leads to seizure

Technical specifications

Vehicle compatibility

List taken from the official Piaggio spare parts catalogue (B2B).

How to tell if the oil seal is gone

The signs are always the same: the idle speed increases on its own and cannot be regulated, the engine revs freely when you spray penetrating oil near the crankcase, the mixture always seems lean no matter how much you adjust the carburetor, and oil stains where the vehicle is parked. On a two-stroke engine, it's a race against time: false air leans the mixture, and the piston eventually seizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it brown and not black?
Because it's made of Viton (FKM), not NBR rubber. Brown is the typical color of this material: it costs more but withstands higher temperatures and doesn't harden on contact with petrol and oil.

How many are needed for an overhaul?
It depends on the engine: on the Ape, there is more than one, and the sizes vary. This is the 34x62x6. If you are opening the engine, write us the model, and we'll tell you the complete set.

Is it a single piece or a set?
It's a single seal. Complete sets are a different item.

How is it installed?
When cold, press it evenly into its seat with an appropriately sized drift – never hit the lip with a hammer. A drop of oil on the lip before installation prevents it from curling up on the shaft.

Will it fit my diesel Ape?
No. The catalog lists this code for the petrol Ape models listed above. For diesel versions, please send us the chassis number.