Tracking down oil leak...
Tracking down oil leak...
I've got some kind of leak on my bike. I think I'm leaking oil from my intake. There is a spot on the throttle side right where the two jugs come together on the crank case where oil is landing. It builds up and then runs down the side of the engine and drips on the ground.
Since it's winter here and we've had < 40* ambient temps for the last two months, I've put HD 10w-40 in the bike, (so that it starts easier in the morning).
I've heard of this happening a little with carb bikes, but never with FI.
I guess I'm trying to gauge the severity of this. Should I not start the bike until I get this figured out, or can I ride it still? Is this something normal on an '04 EG?
The bike has a stage-1 air cleaner, everything else is stock. It has 48k miles.
Since it's winter here and we've had < 40* ambient temps for the last two months, I've put HD 10w-40 in the bike, (so that it starts easier in the morning).
I've heard of this happening a little with carb bikes, but never with FI.
I guess I'm trying to gauge the severity of this. Should I not start the bike until I get this figured out, or can I ride it still? Is this something normal on an '04 EG?
The bike has a stage-1 air cleaner, everything else is stock. It has 48k miles.
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 953
Likes: 8
From: Central Oregon
Could it be the rocker covers are leaking?
Have you put a wrench on all the bolts in that area to see if any are loose?
With the thinner oil and colder temps the engine may be more prone to leaking until reaching operating temperature. {just a thought}
Have you put a wrench on all the bolts in that area to see if any are loose?
With the thinner oil and colder temps the engine may be more prone to leaking until reaching operating temperature. {just a thought}
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 7
From: Northeast Ohio
I am betting that withthe thinner oil, you are pulling some oil from the heads, through the lines into the back of the air cleaner. Pull your air cleaner cover and see if it is oily in there. If so, clean it up, and then check your oil. It should be no more than half way up to the full mark cold, and maybe even a little less in those temp. When you get them right to full when hot, lots of times the oil will be sucked into the breather. Try running it a the halfway mark when hot, this may cure your problem.
Thanks for the responses.
Rodney : The rockers are nice and shiny. The gaskets look good with no oil coming out. The fins are clean too.
Dalton : I took the cover off of the air cleaner and snapped some pictures. I'm having some trouble with my ISP and I currently can't link them from my server. As soon as the server comes back, I'll try again.
The filter is black, and there is oil dripping off of the bottom. The inside of the air cover has a little bit of oil in the bottom. It appears as though its dripping from the filter, onto the cover, and then onto the bottom of the engine.
I'll check the oil level and see if I've filled it too full. It was level (on a jack) when I did the oil change and I was checking the oil as I was pouring it in to make sure I didn't over fill it. If you're supposed to check the oil on the jiffy stand, I could easily see how I could have filled it too full.
One other question, if the filter is clogged, would that cause oil to somehow get pushed out of the filter? This filter looks nasty. I'll probably be changing it anyway.
Rodney : The rockers are nice and shiny. The gaskets look good with no oil coming out. The fins are clean too.
Dalton : I took the cover off of the air cleaner and snapped some pictures. I'm having some trouble with my ISP and I currently can't link them from my server. As soon as the server comes back, I'll try again.
The filter is black, and there is oil dripping off of the bottom. The inside of the air cover has a little bit of oil in the bottom. It appears as though its dripping from the filter, onto the cover, and then onto the bottom of the engine.
I'll check the oil level and see if I've filled it too full. It was level (on a jack) when I did the oil change and I was checking the oil as I was pouring it in to make sure I didn't over fill it. If you're supposed to check the oil on the jiffy stand, I could easily see how I could have filled it too full.
One other question, if the filter is clogged, would that cause oil to somehow get pushed out of the filter? This filter looks nasty. I'll probably be changing it anyway.
Server's back up -
FILTER:
PLACE ON ENGINE WHERE OIL IS RUNNING DOWN:
FILTER COVER: (The top of the cover in this picture is normally the side that is down when it is on the bike)
MY FINGERS AFTER TOUCHING THE BOTTOM/BACK OF THE FILTER:
FILTER:
PLACE ON ENGINE WHERE OIL IS RUNNING DOWN:
FILTER COVER: (The top of the cover in this picture is normally the side that is down when it is on the bike)
MY FINGERS AFTER TOUCHING THE BOTTOM/BACK OF THE FILTER:
Last edited by stevja1; Jan 18, 2009 at 01:02 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 953
Likes: 8
From: Central Oregon
sounds like you are in the right tack, follow Daltons advice and drop the oil level clean out the air filter cover and if its a washable filter clean or replace if its not.
yes oil can and will dump from the crank case vents and dribble out the bottom of the air filter housing.
btw I don't see any images.
yes oil can and will dump from the crank case vents and dribble out the bottom of the air filter housing.
btw I don't see any images.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 7
From: Northeast Ohio
Yep, Oil to be checked HOT on Jiffy Stand so you most likely have it too full. Use a turkey baster to suck some out. Clean up everything , filter cover, backing plate, etc. Wash out the element with soap and water if it is a reachargeable element, then light mist of filter oil and reinstall.
Unfortunetely the full line on the dipstick just isnt always where the oil should be, usuall about half at down will keep you from pushing oil.
Unfortunetely the full line on the dipstick just isnt always where the oil should be, usuall about half at down will keep you from pushing oil.
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