Primary Leak
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Coast, NC
Primary Leak
I just purchased this bike on the 7th. knowing it had a primary leak. The previous owner had it serviced and said they put to much primary fluid in and it and it should weep out until levels are back to normal. So I took a look in the inspection plate and fluid came running out. [said to self"self we got to much damn fluid "]I didnt buy the hole weeping out story so I went to the local shop and explained. He said the seals to my final drive are shot. I have done work to all my bikes before just never owned a Harley.
I'm going to replace all the seals in my primary I've ordered a complete set from bike bandit. Was wondering if there are any tips that would be helpful other than specified in the service manual. Any tips or pointers will be greatly appreciated
Is it true that to much primary fluid could blow a seal?
I'm going to replace all the seals in my primary I've ordered a complete set from bike bandit. Was wondering if there are any tips that would be helpful other than specified in the service manual. Any tips or pointers will be greatly appreciated
Is it true that to much primary fluid could blow a seal?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 6
From: Union,Ms
I just purchased this bike on the 7th. knowing it had a primary leak. The previous owner had it serviced and said they put to much primary fluid in and it and it should weep out until levels are back to normal. So I took a look in the inspection plate and fluid came running out. [said to self"self we got to much damn fluid "]I didnt buy the hole weeping out story so I went to the local shop and explained. He said the seals to my final drive are shot. I have done work to all my bikes before just never owned a Harley.
I'm going to replace all the seals in my primary I've ordered a complete set from bike bandit. Was wondering if there are any tips that would be helpful other than specified in the service manual. Any tips or pointers will be greatly appreciated
Is it true that to much primary fluid could blow a seal?
I'm going to replace all the seals in my primary I've ordered a complete set from bike bandit. Was wondering if there are any tips that would be helpful other than specified in the service manual. Any tips or pointers will be greatly appreciated
Is it true that to much primary fluid could blow a seal?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
From: central Mississippi
Be sure the cylinder base gasket isn't leaking instead. I've had it happen and thought it was the primary. Sometimes when a cylinder base gasket is leaking, it will drip oil off the bottom of the primary when the bike is leaning on the kickstand. Not saying that's what it is, but something to look at.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 507
From: Florida
First thing to do is clean it up ALL over the primary side, insure that the proper amount of oil is in it, and take a visual on whats leaking. Then make a decision on a repair. The seals are in the inner primary and thats a job to do.
If the inspection cover you removed was the oval one then oil would have gushed out even if it had the proper amount.
Unless you laid the bike on its side you really can't overfill the primary. Give that some thought.
If the inspection cover you removed was the oval one then oil would have gushed out even if it had the proper amount.
Unless you laid the bike on its side you really can't overfill the primary. Give that some thought.
Last edited by V-Twins & Bowties; Mar 13, 2011 at 08:26 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: Southern Missouri ( ozarks)
Agree with the previous post.Your level is checked thru the Derby(round) cover.Make sure your drain plug(located on the bottom off the primary case,below the derby, isn't leaking as well.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: Southern Missouri ( ozarks)
Be sure the cylinder base gasket isn't leaking instead. I've had it happen and thought it was the primary. Sometimes when a cylinder base gasket is leaking, it will drip oil off the bottom of the primary when the bike is leaning on the kickstand. Not saying that's what it is, but something to look at.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 6
From: Union,Ms
It's pretty much the same procedure as a top end rebuild. If it's not bad I'd ignore it till you get enough miles for a ring job. It'll probably not get much worse.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 734
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From: Southern Missouri ( ozarks)
Mike,that's pretty much what I was thinkin. From wash to wash,there isn't much there.But it does seem to be from both rear corners. This past summer,we tried to retorque the studs in hoping we might find the studs were a tad loose for specs but they were pretty much right there.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 297
Likes: 150
From: Florida Space Coast
Nate88HD: I don't think that too much fluid would blow a seal. Most likely it would cause drag on the clutch. It is possible that the seal between the inner primary and the tranny main shaft leaking. If so, to fix that you would have to remove the clutch, clutch hub primary chain, etc. Pulling the clutch hub involves buying a special tool unless you make your own. I'd check the other stuff mentioned first.
Stan
Stan
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,031
Likes: 12,555
From: South Carolina
First thing to do is clean it up ALL over the primary side, insure that the proper amount of oil is in it, and take a visual on whats leaking. Then make a decision on a repair. The seals are in the inner primary and thats a job to do.
If the inspection cover you removed was the oval one then oil would have gushed out even if it had the proper amount.
Unless you laid the bike on its side you really can't overfill the primary. Give that some thought.
If the inspection cover you removed was the oval one then oil would have gushed out even if it had the proper amount.
Unless you laid the bike on its side you really can't overfill the primary. Give that some thought.
You can certainly overfill the primary. If you fill it up to the lip of the opening of the derby cover, it is overfilled. The lube should only be to the bottom of the clutch, which is below the opening.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Mar 13, 2011 at 07:09 PM.