oil everywhere
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 126
From: Aussie lost in Switzerland
oil everywhere
Went for a first long ride after finishing my 103 build, got about 15 miles when the bike sputtered, farted and died and would not restart. Stopped on the shoulder to see what's what and saw oil all over the back of the motor and tranny.
Buddy came with his truck and picked us up and back too my workshop.
Cleaned all the oil off, and tried starting again and it fired up, but no oil appearing anywhere. Guess it must only happen when revs are up above idle
When I washed it, it kinda looked like it was leaking from the top of one of the rear pushed covers. Popped them and O rings look ok and seated. Got some investigating to do.
Buddy came with his truck and picked us up and back too my workshop.
Cleaned all the oil off, and tried starting again and it fired up, but no oil appearing anywhere. Guess it must only happen when revs are up above idle
When I washed it, it kinda looked like it was leaking from the top of one of the rear pushed covers. Popped them and O rings look ok and seated. Got some investigating to do.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 8,742
From: Texas
Did you replace the head bolts.., or reuse - they do stretch
Did you clean all surfaces requiring a gasket before reinstalling
Did you get all new gaskets
Did you torque everything to spec
Did you use gasket sealer on anything / everything/ some things
Inquiring minds and the like
Ghost
Did you clean all surfaces requiring a gasket before reinstalling
Did you get all new gaskets
Did you torque everything to spec
Did you use gasket sealer on anything / everything/ some things
Inquiring minds and the like
Ghost
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 126
From: Aussie lost in Switzerland
Did you replace the head bolts.., or reuse - they do stretch
Did you clean all surfaces requiring a gasket before reinstalling
Did you get all new gaskets
Did you torque everything to spec
Did you use gasket sealer on anything / everything/ some things
Inquiring minds and the like
Ghost
Did you clean all surfaces requiring a gasket before reinstalling
Did you get all new gaskets
Did you torque everything to spec
Did you use gasket sealer on anything / everything/ some things
Inquiring minds and the like
Ghost
every surface cleaned to like new
All new commetic gaskets and O rings
All torqued to spec
no gasket sealer used
Largest concentration of motor oil was around the top of the rear push rod covers. I think this is the source. Still investigating though.
Seemed weird that the bike sputtered and died, then happily started 45 minutes later. Maybe temp related?
It didn't lose that much oil that it would overheat and shut down.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 492
From: Heart of Georgia
That makes me wonder if its losing compression, like maybe a gasket is leaking when its hot and then seals back up when it cools down.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 8,742
From: Texas
Reused head bolts
every surface cleaned to like new
All new commetic gaskets and O rings
All torqued to spec
no gasket sealer used
Largest concentration of motor oil was around the top of the rear push rod covers. I think this is the source. Still investigating though.
Seemed weird that the bike sputtered and died, then happily started 45 minutes later. Maybe temp related?
It didn't lose that much oil that it would overheat and shut down.
every surface cleaned to like new
All new commetic gaskets and O rings
All torqued to spec
no gasket sealer used
Largest concentration of motor oil was around the top of the rear push rod covers. I think this is the source. Still investigating though.
Seemed weird that the bike sputtered and died, then happily started 45 minutes later. Maybe temp related?
It didn't lose that much oil that it would overheat and shut down.
Wouldn't surprise me you find oil is "bubbling" out when motor is up to temp..., and under load
Ghost
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
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From: Centennial, CO
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 126
From: Aussie lost in Switzerland
Had a good look around today at the rear jug. Leak not at the base where it slips into the case. Oil all over the top and right side of the tranny is spray, and in fact there is no oil around the jug base for about an inch. Similar deal on the fins above and below the head gasket, oil there is spray and not in any kind of concentration that you'd expect to see from a leak at that point.
Rocker gaskets are the correct way around, one of those "triple check" items during the build.
No oil in the Air cleaner either so not a blow back through the breathers or manifold.
Still suspecting the Pushrod covers. I think tomorrow I'll wheel it outside and start it up to see what comes out of where.
Rocker gaskets are the correct way around, one of those "triple check" items during the build.
No oil in the Air cleaner either so not a blow back through the breathers or manifold.
Still suspecting the Pushrod covers. I think tomorrow I'll wheel it outside and start it up to see what comes out of where.