Engine Mechanical Topics Discussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.

oil leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 21, 2026 | 08:24 AM
  #1  
PLANET HARLEY's Avatar
PLANET HARLEY
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 87
Likes: 6
From: FRANCE
Default oil leak

Hi
​​​​​​I have an oil leak from this hose on my Fatboy 1340.

 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2026 | 09:20 AM
  #2  
jbarr1's Avatar
jbarr1
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 377
From: georgia
Default

That’s the crankcase breather line that someone ran to the air cleaner. Not wise. I would remove it and just run the line to the bottom of the frame and leave it open. Don’t run too much oil in the tank.
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2026 | 09:34 AM
  #3  
PLANET HARLEY's Avatar
PLANET HARLEY
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 87
Likes: 6
From: FRANCE
Default

Oil level is ok
massive oil leak in about 10 seconds
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2026 | 09:49 AM
  #4  
jbarr1's Avatar
jbarr1
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 377
From: georgia
Default

That’s called sumping. The bike probably sat for a while. That allows the oil from the tank to collect in the crankcase. When started, the only place it can go is out the breather. The fix is to run the engine to get the oil pumped back to the tank. Then run the engine more often. Do not add oil to the tank until the case oil is returned to the tank- it will only make it worse by adding more oil.
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2026 | 09:56 AM
  #5  
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20,836
Likes: 12,330
From: South Carolina
Default

Put a longer hose on the fitting and route the hose overboard (not in front of the tire).

Before adding oil to the tank you should run the engine for a few minutes to make sure all the oil has been scavenged up from the crankcase.

Set the oil level about 1/2" to 1" below the filler neck, bike straight up.

Here is how I routed the crankcase breather and the transmission vent hoses on my `89 Softail:


 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2026 | 10:45 AM
  #6  
PLANET HARLEY's Avatar
PLANET HARLEY
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 87
Likes: 6
From: FRANCE
Default

I read on the forum that the little ball could get stuck.

 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2026 | 12:04 PM
  #7  
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20,836
Likes: 12,330
From: South Carolina
Default

How long was the bike inactive before you started it?

If the bike sits for an extended period make sure there is a drain pan below the breather hose.

If the bike pukes oil out every time it is started there is an issue.

Puking oil out the breather after being inactive is not uncommon, and does not indicate a problem.
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2026 | 01:33 PM
  #8  
PLANET HARLEY's Avatar
PLANET HARLEY
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 87
Likes: 6
From: FRANCE
Default

Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC
How long was the bike inactive before you started it?

If the bike sits for an extended period make sure there is a drain pan below the breather hose.

If the bike pukes oil out every time it is started there is an issue.

Puking oil out the breather after being inactive is not uncommon, and does not indicate a problem.
2 months
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2026 | 05:34 PM
  #9  
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20,836
Likes: 12,330
From: South Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by PLANET HARLEY
2 months
That`s long enough...
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
UGARed17
VRSC Models
13
Nov 19, 2025 06:37 PM
Abowenz
Oil Archive (no new posts)
7
Apr 25, 2023 02:57 PM
PLANET HARLEY
Engine Mechanical Topics
60
May 6, 2022 05:04 PM
FatBob-7
2018+ Softail Models
3
May 30, 2021 09:47 PM
mclldavidson
Softail Models
9
Jun 14, 2014 05:31 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:52 AM.