Primary Gasket

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Apr 21, 2011 | 08:24 PM

dagored11

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 142

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From: Cincinnati

Primary Gasket

I've been leaking from near the primary drain plug for a while, so I finally decided to tinker. I removed the primary, put teflon tape on the drain plug, and installed a new gasket. The question - the gasket that came off was a Harley OEM metal gasket, the new one is a basic paper gasket that I coated with black permatex - what's the difference between the metal and good ol' paper?

Last edited by dagored11; Apr 21, 2011 at 08:25 PM. Reason: spelling

Apr 21, 2011 | 08:30 PM

archergodwin

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 4,440

Likes: 148

From: Northwest

Have you had the bike since new? .. if not, you may not know how many times that primary has been off without a new gasket back in there.

If you have... could ask the same question. ... but.. any gasket can leak given enough time. For difference?... metal gasket is probably more spendy. It could also transfer some heat from the engine out to that big metal heatsink of a primary cover, whereas a paper or other type would be a heat barrier.

Did you take a good look at your sealing surfaces and such? Does your drain plug have an o-ring? ... be careful with TFE tape.. it can plug oil passageways if you put too much towards the very end of the plug or fitting.

Apr 22, 2011 | 09:13 AM

JRK5892

Banned

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 19,481

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From: Chicago suburbs (Elgin/Schaumburg)

i use an o ring on the drain plug, no teflon tape... no need... the gasket thould have a meatl backing... maybe someone made their own gasket,... i have done it before but never on a primary. i replace the gasket every time i pull it

Apr 22, 2011 | 09:22 AM

HOGRIDA_06

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 2,862

Likes: 7

From: Western, NY

Did your leak go away? The primary drain plug seems to be the low spot on these bikes. My bike has had oil collect on and drip off the drain plug two different times. The first time it was the primary bearing seal leaking and the second time it was the main drive bearing seal. Pretty much any leak on or around the primary and the oil will run and collect on the drain plug.

Apr 22, 2011 | 09:49 AM

KBFXDLI

Big Kahuna HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 23,881

Likes: 34

From: USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagored11

I removed the primary,

did you remove the primary cover? OR the entire inner primary case?

Apr 22, 2011 | 11:13 AM

rjsimmons

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 680

Likes: 25

From: Fredericksburg, VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagored11

I recently replaced the gasket on my primary. The new ones are metal coated in permatex, you should be able to see the metal core. If the one you have is nothing but paper, then I would venture to say that it is not HD. If you purchased it at a dealership, then I would question them.

Apr 22, 2011 | 06:59 PM

seniorsuperglideE8

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Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 15,787

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From: along the shore of Mishigami

Not all primary drain plugs have "o" rings. My 02 and 05 Dyna's have a pipe plug (tapered) type of setup. I've used pipe thread sealant for years with no problems, but if tightened too much there is a chance of cracking/splitting the case where the plug is screwed into.