Engine Oil Leak
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 19
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From: Columbus, OH
Engine Oil Leak
First of all, if this is a repost I apologize and a link to a helpful post would be much appreciated.
Anyway, my '87 Softail Custom with the 1340 Evo has a small oil leak coming from the split in the crankcase at the very bottom. It appears that it is leaking towards the front of the crankcase and running down the split in the case to the bottom. I have tightened all bolts that hold the case together and that seemed to help, but what are my options if it continues to leak? This is my first Harley. Do I have to split the case and replace a gasket?
Any help is appreciated, thank you.
Anyway, my '87 Softail Custom with the 1340 Evo has a small oil leak coming from the split in the crankcase at the very bottom. It appears that it is leaking towards the front of the crankcase and running down the split in the case to the bottom. I have tightened all bolts that hold the case together and that seemed to help, but what are my options if it continues to leak? This is my first Harley. Do I have to split the case and replace a gasket?
Any help is appreciated, thank you.
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: deland,florida
there isnt a gasket,are you sure its not coming from someplace else and running down(stator plug,ft lifter block)? cases are a machine fit and its pretty uncommen for the cases to leak
kirby
vee twin racing
kirby
vee twin racing
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 19
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From: Columbus, OH
I know it's not from the stator plug, that's too far on the left side to be causing the leak. I'll try to take a picture tonight and post it, but it is coming from up around where the engine mounts to the frame on the front of the bike.
I'm embarrassed to admit this, but it started after the bike took a spill in my garage. No major damage, but the bike was on it's side for a couple minutes so I thought maybe some oil leaked out of the breather or something and just worked it's way down to the bottom of the crankcase. That was a few weeks ago and I'm still getting a small puddle so I think I have a constant leak.
I'm embarrassed to admit this, but it started after the bike took a spill in my garage. No major damage, but the bike was on it's side for a couple minutes so I thought maybe some oil leaked out of the breather or something and just worked it's way down to the bottom of the crankcase. That was a few weeks ago and I'm still getting a small puddle so I think I have a constant leak.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 2,572
From: NC USA
The thru bolt that holds the cases together, just under the mounting boss can leak from either end - again, not common. And it's very difficult to spot a leak on a silver case, especially. Clean under there best you can and spray with cheap powder type deodorant and it'll show up real well.
If it turns out to be leaking from that bolt on either or both ends, I can give you a fairly easy and permanant fix.
If it turns out to be leaking from that bolt on either or both ends, I can give you a fairly easy and permanant fix.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 2,572
From: NC USA
And repeating what I've said of myself many times; "poor man got poor ways"
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,854
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From: Eagle River WI
I did several shovelheads with leaks like this Yes Rufus I put the bikes on their side gently you know Took a toothbrush (not my personal one ) Brakeclean or something like that circa 1974 cleaned it real good than put 2 part epoxy on the wound No leaks reappeared for several years at least till I moved away I think that cleaning fluid was something called Trichlorethane 111 (spelling ? ) That stuff was so toxic I put a gas tank/fenders painted with Emron into a basket at work and lowered the basket into the tank just to the vapor line and within 3 seconds the paint was gone ! Oh the good old days !! It's hard to get that stuff anymore Thank God
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 2,572
From: NC USA
I did several shovelheads with leaks like this Yes Rufus I put the bikes on their side gently you know Took a toothbrush (not my personal one ) Brakeclean or something like that circa 1974 cleaned it real good than put 2 part epoxy on the wound No leaks reappeared for several years at least till I moved away I think that cleaning fluid was something called Trichlorethane 111 (spelling ? ) That stuff was so toxic I put a gas tank/fenders painted with Emron into a basket at work and lowered the basket into the tank just to the vapor line and within 3 seconds the paint was gone ! Oh the good old days !! It's hard to get that stuff anymore Thank God
Yeah, I tried to buy some stuff at the parts store couple years ago (can't remember now what it was) and they didn't have it. I tried to leave and he pleaded that I let him call around, insisting he used to stock it. After 20 minutes of him on the phone to everybody he knew and with a straight face he said; "I reckon somebody in California sprayed it on a rat and it died - can't get it anymore"
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From: South Carolina
Trich is very nasty stuff, in the old days we used to use it a a de-greaser on jet engine parts, we lowered the parts down into a tank that had a hot solution at the bottom, the parts were suspended above in the vapor. Safety and environmental laws finally put an end to that stuff, and forced the industry to come up with non toxic de-greasers.