Transmission fluid leek, advice needed
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Like other's have posted: Determine if it's primary or transmission lube.
I doubt if it's primary. Most likely, it's leaking from a transmission seal. Either a shift rail seal or the main output seal. Mine had the same leak (three times in 23 years). First time I thought it was the primary cover. Swapped out the gasket, tightened the drain plug (added teflon pipe dope to the threads), and it would still leak. A few months later, I heard 'The Noise' (1995-Chambersburg, PA.) Drive pulley hit the inner primary because the bolts had loosened on the lock plate. Limped to nearest dealer and had it fixed. Second time I noticed the small oil stain under the bike (2002-Daytona, FL) I took it to the dealer in Kissimmee, FL and had it fixed. At both dealerships, it was billed out as 3.5 hours labor. Third time (2015-Detroit, MI), it was a shift rail seal that was leaking. I had my local indy put on the JIMs locking nut, just because he was already 'in there'.
Unfortunately, true to MoCo form, you have to take off a bunch of perfectly good/functioning/dry parts to get to the one that's leaking. Necessitating the purchase of a lot of gaskets, etc. that weren't causing the problem. The biggest beotch is having to take off the inner primary, because the compensator nut is uber tight.
I doubt if it's primary. Most likely, it's leaking from a transmission seal. Either a shift rail seal or the main output seal. Mine had the same leak (three times in 23 years). First time I thought it was the primary cover. Swapped out the gasket, tightened the drain plug (added teflon pipe dope to the threads), and it would still leak. A few months later, I heard 'The Noise' (1995-Chambersburg, PA.) Drive pulley hit the inner primary because the bolts had loosened on the lock plate. Limped to nearest dealer and had it fixed. Second time I noticed the small oil stain under the bike (2002-Daytona, FL) I took it to the dealer in Kissimmee, FL and had it fixed. At both dealerships, it was billed out as 3.5 hours labor. Third time (2015-Detroit, MI), it was a shift rail seal that was leaking. I had my local indy put on the JIMs locking nut, just because he was already 'in there'.
Unfortunately, true to MoCo form, you have to take off a bunch of perfectly good/functioning/dry parts to get to the one that's leaking. Necessitating the purchase of a lot of gaskets, etc. that weren't causing the problem. The biggest beotch is having to take off the inner primary, because the compensator nut is uber tight.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
Didn't have access to one on Route US 30 east of Chambersburg, PA or in that Daytona, FL parking lot during Biketoberfest.
And I'm not Dr. Hess that can easily rebuild his engine outside of a motel room
..... I can easily pack the 1/2" IR impact gun on the bike. However, I've found it difficult to strap this on the luggage rack:
And dragging 1200 miles of air hose behind the bike was simply out of the question.....
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Oshawa, Canada
Hey guys, thanks for all the replies.
Okay the oil drop that I found was at the area of the bottom primary bolt right beside the primary drain.
This morning After cleaning, I went for a 15-20 ride, came back and cannot find any leaks anywhere !
The night before I gently sprayed the bike down it was dirty.. Could that have loosened up some oil that creeped down?
I will keep an eye out for more dripping. But in any case what is the best way to check the level of the primary fluid? And how often should it be changed?
Okay the oil drop that I found was at the area of the bottom primary bolt right beside the primary drain.
This morning After cleaning, I went for a 15-20 ride, came back and cannot find any leaks anywhere !
The night before I gently sprayed the bike down it was dirty.. Could that have loosened up some oil that creeped down?
I will keep an eye out for more dripping. But in any case what is the best way to check the level of the primary fluid? And how often should it be changed?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 942
Likes: 323
From: Grew up in Texas, moved to AZ
Didn't have access to one on Route US 30 east of Chambersburg, PA or in that Daytona, FL parking lot during Biketoberfest.
And I'm not Dr. Hess that can easily rebuild his engine outside of a motel room
..... I can easily pack the 1/2" IR impact gun on the bike. However, I've found it difficult to strap this on the luggage rack:
And dragging 1200 miles of air hose behind the bike was simply out of the question.....
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 942
Likes: 323
From: Grew up in Texas, moved to AZ
Hey guys, thanks for all the replies.
Okay the oil drop that I found was at the area of the bottom primary bolt right beside the primary drain.
This morning After cleaning, I went for a 15-20 ride, came back and cannot find any leaks anywhere !
The night before I gently sprayed the bike down it was dirty.. Could that have loosened up some oil that creeped down?
I will keep an eye out for more dripping. But in any case what is the best way to check the level of the primary fluid? And how often should it be changed?
Okay the oil drop that I found was at the area of the bottom primary bolt right beside the primary drain.
This morning After cleaning, I went for a 15-20 ride, came back and cannot find any leaks anywhere !
The night before I gently sprayed the bike down it was dirty.. Could that have loosened up some oil that creeped down?
I will keep an eye out for more dripping. But in any case what is the best way to check the level of the primary fluid? And how often should it be changed?
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Oshawa, Canada
On your bike, you could just take off the derby cover (big round one with 3 bolts) and check it there. I don't know what the exact amount for your bike, but you could look that up, or better yet, buy a factory service manual. In my manual for 89 FLHTC, it calls for replacing the fluid every 5K miles. You can get away with more. A simple way to remember is every two oil changes, you replace primary fluid and tranny fluid. Again, guys have many different ways. Just pick one that makes sense. And just get H-D primary fluid. It's just as good as any.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Oshawa, Canada
Okay , I just change the transmission oil and decided to go with 75/140 synthetic (no oil debate please)
I used Teflon tape on the Torx screw and left 2 threads out as recommended, not sure why?
So now I am going to change the primary oil to
I used Teflon tape on the Torx screw and left 2 threads out as recommended, not sure why?
So now I am going to change the primary oil to
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 942
Likes: 323
From: Grew up in Texas, moved to AZ
[QUOTE= left 2 threads out as recommended, not sure why?
[/QUOTE]
That's good gear fluid. Works! :-)
You are on a roll....now, that you are changing the primary fluid, it's even more important not to over tighten the drain plug, because it's probably a tapered thread. Tight is good enough in this case.
[/QUOTE]
That's good gear fluid. Works! :-)
You are on a roll....now, that you are changing the primary fluid, it's even more important not to over tighten the drain plug, because it's probably a tapered thread. Tight is good enough in this case.
T-27, not all torx sets have this size in them.