Lifter cover oil leak
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 35
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From: Newmarket, Ontario
Lifter cover oil leak
My Softail Deluxe is weeping/leaking oil around the forward lifter cover. Is this something that I can repair myself without taking the motor apart? I was thinking I could just remove the cover screws, raise the cover and put in a new gasket.....assuming that is the leak point.
Any other suggestions?
Any other suggestions?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Posts 2 and 3 are right on point.
However, I've seen a number of people blame the lifter cover gaskets for leaking when it was really coming from the air cleaner. Check that first; if that's not it, then put an allen wrench on the 4 bolts as suggested. Heck, it could be from the right fork seal. IF it is indeed the lifter cover I'd wait until I was going into the cam chest for something. It's not going to leak substantially and that's a lot of work and expense (just for gaskets/o-rings, doing the labor yourself) for a leak like that. Less labor but more money is to cut the pushrods and install some good adjustables. But, depending on how many miles you have and what upgrade goals you might entertain, that can get to be a pretty good $ rabbit hole.
I say it could well be the breather but I'm not there to look at it so that's a guess. I know I'm gonna be in the minority here but I just won't chase every weep or leak. It's either got to stop the bike from going down the road or I'm in the vicinity repairing something else and "it's on the way". The whole "don't leak a drop" goal has caused many to not enjoy the experience of riding their machine when it really didn't need to. I'm no climate expert but I'm guessing you fellas up in Canada don't have every day of the year to ride. I wouldn't miss ONE riding day if I didn't have to.
However, I've seen a number of people blame the lifter cover gaskets for leaking when it was really coming from the air cleaner. Check that first; if that's not it, then put an allen wrench on the 4 bolts as suggested. Heck, it could be from the right fork seal. IF it is indeed the lifter cover I'd wait until I was going into the cam chest for something. It's not going to leak substantially and that's a lot of work and expense (just for gaskets/o-rings, doing the labor yourself) for a leak like that. Less labor but more money is to cut the pushrods and install some good adjustables. But, depending on how many miles you have and what upgrade goals you might entertain, that can get to be a pretty good $ rabbit hole.
I say it could well be the breather but I'm not there to look at it so that's a guess. I know I'm gonna be in the minority here but I just won't chase every weep or leak. It's either got to stop the bike from going down the road or I'm in the vicinity repairing something else and "it's on the way". The whole "don't leak a drop" goal has caused many to not enjoy the experience of riding their machine when it really didn't need to. I'm no climate expert but I'm guessing you fellas up in Canada don't have every day of the year to ride. I wouldn't miss ONE riding day if I didn't have to.
Last edited by Campy Roadie; May 10, 2018 at 09:33 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Newmarket, Ontario
Posts 2 and 3 are right on point.
However, I've seen a number of people blame the lifter cover gaskets for leaking when it was really coming from the air cleaner. Check that first; if that's not it, then put an allen wrench on the 4 bolts as suggested. Heck, it could be from the right fork seal. IF it is indeed the lifter cover I'd wait until I was going into the cam chest for something. It's not going to leak substantially and that's a lot of work and expense (just for gaskets/o-rings, doing the labor yourself) for a leak like that. Less labor but more money is to cut the pushrods and install some good adjustables. But, depending on how many miles you have and what upgrade goals you might entertain, that can get to be a pretty good $ rabbit hole.
I say it could well be the breather but I'm not there to look at it so that's a guess. I know I'm gonna be in the minority here but I just won't chase every weep or leak. It's either got to stop the bike from going down the road or I'm in the vicinity repairing something else and "it's on the way". The whole "don't leak a drop" goal has caused many to not enjoy the experience of riding their machine when it really didn't need to. I'm no climate expert but I'm guessing you fellas up in Canada don't have every day of the year to ride. I wouldn't miss ONE riding day if I didn't have to.
However, I've seen a number of people blame the lifter cover gaskets for leaking when it was really coming from the air cleaner. Check that first; if that's not it, then put an allen wrench on the 4 bolts as suggested. Heck, it could be from the right fork seal. IF it is indeed the lifter cover I'd wait until I was going into the cam chest for something. It's not going to leak substantially and that's a lot of work and expense (just for gaskets/o-rings, doing the labor yourself) for a leak like that. Less labor but more money is to cut the pushrods and install some good adjustables. But, depending on how many miles you have and what upgrade goals you might entertain, that can get to be a pretty good $ rabbit hole.
I say it could well be the breather but I'm not there to look at it so that's a guess. I know I'm gonna be in the minority here but I just won't chase every weep or leak. It's either got to stop the bike from going down the road or I'm in the vicinity repairing something else and "it's on the way". The whole "don't leak a drop" goal has caused many to not enjoy the experience of riding their machine when it really didn't need to. I'm no climate expert but I'm guessing you fellas up in Canada don't have every day of the year to ride. I wouldn't miss ONE riding day if I didn't have to.
I don't want to take it apart either if I have to deal with push rods. I will try snugging down (doubt that's the problem) and waiting until cam chain needs to be replaced unless something worse happens. I don't think it's the breather because it would drop elsewhere as shown in photo or the forks. The bike only has 24,000 kms (15,000 miles)!!!
Thanks!
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Newmarket, Ontario
Well, well, well....I removed the air cleaner to clean it and noticed that there was some oil dripping from the throttle cables. I completely FORGOT that I had lubed the cables last week! I will try to remember next time I lube the cables. 
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From: SW Ohio
Now go enjoy those 4 days of summer
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3 days of summer left....it's rain with a high of 16C! 
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