Valve Stem oil seal leak.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 5
From: Dublin, Ireland.
Valve Stem oil seal leak.
Hi,
As some will know I did a recent top end re-build to cure a leaking base gasket and also fitted an EV27 cam.
All went ok and am delighted with result, but I noticed that while bike is idling on tickover it is smoking on both cylinders.
I recently removed the air filter and opened throttle fully and when I looked through carb, (S&S Super E) noticed that there was some oil in the in-take manifold.
I presume that the only way that the oil can get there is down the valve guides, hence I assume the valve stem oil seals are giving problems.
Unfortunately, this was the only part of the job that I did not do myself as I did not have a valve spring compressor and left seals with machine shop to fit after he re-seated valves.
My question is, can I just do a head job, ie, remove heads and fit new valve seals WITHOUT removing cylinders and fitting new base gaskets, will the ones there now be ok?
Thanks,
Tony.
As some will know I did a recent top end re-build to cure a leaking base gasket and also fitted an EV27 cam.
All went ok and am delighted with result, but I noticed that while bike is idling on tickover it is smoking on both cylinders.
I recently removed the air filter and opened throttle fully and when I looked through carb, (S&S Super E) noticed that there was some oil in the in-take manifold.
I presume that the only way that the oil can get there is down the valve guides, hence I assume the valve stem oil seals are giving problems.
Unfortunately, this was the only part of the job that I did not do myself as I did not have a valve spring compressor and left seals with machine shop to fit after he re-seated valves.
My question is, can I just do a head job, ie, remove heads and fit new valve seals WITHOUT removing cylinders and fitting new base gaskets, will the ones there now be ok?
Thanks,
Tony.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Let's see the original engine had enough miles on it to do the top end, and a machine shop did the valves. Did they replace any valves or guides??? If they were worn and not replaced that could give you problems. Valve stems can wear and have varnish build-up. Both of these can cause seals to fail. If the seals were instaled without using the protective sleeve can cause seals to leak. If the heads aren't draining oil properly that can cause problems.
These are just a few of the problems that can cause the symptoms you have. Hope this helps.
These are just a few of the problems that can cause the symptoms you have. Hope this helps.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 507
From: Florida
There is no way your going to look into the throat of a carburator and see valve guide seals leaking. Unless someone has Superman X-Ray vision.
More than likely your seeing oil from the crankcase breather/s accumulating in the manifold.
More than likely your seeing oil from the crankcase breather/s accumulating in the manifold.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Central Ohio
my GUESS would be the new higher lift cam is causing the valves to travel beyond the worn spot where the seal previously ummm sealed lol. if that makes any sense
id think a reputable machine shop would've suggested new valves if they were that worn... but thats me thinkin out loud...
...
it may wear itself in, may get worse, Id just ride it a while n see unless its a smoke screen behind you.
just my
id think a reputable machine shop would've suggested new valves if they were that worn... but thats me thinkin out loud...
...
it may wear itself in, may get worse, Id just ride it a while n see unless its a smoke screen behind you.
just my
Last edited by M&D88FXSTC; Apr 5, 2011 at 07:18 AM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 5
From: Dublin, Ireland.
New problem
Thanks for replies.
V-Twins and Bowties, I think you have it wrong. Engine is not running when I look through carb. For want of a better description, there is a "puddle" of oil in the manifold after running motor.
I am inclined to do as the the last post suggests, ie, ride bike for awhile. There is no smoke screen as it only smokes while idleing.
Another problem has reared its head. I seem to have a regulator problem now as after running bike for about 80 miles and stopping for coffee, it would not start and we had to jump start it.
After another 20 miles or so it started far*ting and missing like mad, so I turned ign switch to lights off position and it ran fine till I got home.
Charged battery overnight and disconnected it and left sand for 2 days without a drop in voltage and bike turned over ok, so it appears battery is all right.
While running, voltage across battery is only 12.6v and I believe it should be between 13.8 and 15volts for my bike. (1986 FLSTC).
Do you think my reasoning is correct?
I hope this is not a sign of things to come.....................
Thanks,
Tony.
V-Twins and Bowties, I think you have it wrong. Engine is not running when I look through carb. For want of a better description, there is a "puddle" of oil in the manifold after running motor.
I am inclined to do as the the last post suggests, ie, ride bike for awhile. There is no smoke screen as it only smokes while idleing.
Another problem has reared its head. I seem to have a regulator problem now as after running bike for about 80 miles and stopping for coffee, it would not start and we had to jump start it.
After another 20 miles or so it started far*ting and missing like mad, so I turned ign switch to lights off position and it ran fine till I got home.
Charged battery overnight and disconnected it and left sand for 2 days without a drop in voltage and bike turned over ok, so it appears battery is all right.
While running, voltage across battery is only 12.6v and I believe it should be between 13.8 and 15volts for my bike. (1986 FLSTC).
Do you think my reasoning is correct?
I hope this is not a sign of things to come.....................
Thanks,
Tony.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
Sounds like the regulator, but could be the alternator also. You can check your A/C ouput at the alternator plug. If it is OK it is probably the regulator. Mine went belly up last year, and you really don't know when it quits without an idiot light. Even my old 84 Iron Head Sportster had a charge light on the generator.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 45
i know when our 05 twincam started having valve seal probs. it showd oil all over the threads of the plugs.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
Thats my thought also. If the valve seals were leaking it would show up in the exhaust. Not the intake. Sounds to me like when the vapor vent line to the carb gets oil in it. It could be the umbrella vent valves in the head are bad. If your valve seals were leaking, you should see a lot of smoke when you decelerate. Are you sure it is oil smoke, or could it be gas from being to rich. Just a few thoughts.
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