Tracking down an oil leak
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 82
From: Columbus, GA
Tracking down an oil leak
Looking for suggestions to help track down an oil leak. It's just a drip that doesn't register on the dipstick but it's annoying with all the drops on my garage floor.
I simply cannot tell where it is coming from. It's been leaking for a while and through a couple of oil changes and seals and gaskets changed every time and torqued to spec.
I simply cannot tell where it is coming from. It's been leaking for a while and through a couple of oil changes and seals and gaskets changed every time and torqued to spec.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
If it was leaking from on top somewhere I would assume you would have found it by now. If its been leaking for awhile you should be able to spot some road grit sticking to the case where its leaking. Grab a mirror and flashlight and get meticulous in your search
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
reread your question... could you even answer it?.. maybe a little more info would help..
Certain yrs of bike are prone to some leaks at different areas.. I have no Idea what you have..
Certain yrs of bike are prone to some leaks at different areas.. I have no Idea what you have..
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
First thing you need to do is clean up the entire underside of the bike.
Use some solvent, I have used brake cleaner even.
Once you get things squeaky clean, you can find the leak much easier.
I've heard of some people using powder to help find a leak, talc, or something similar.
Where is it ending up. the bottom of the primary,oil pan, trany???
what seals and gaskets were changed, did a shop do it?
Are we talking engine oil, trans or what?
Use some solvent, I have used brake cleaner even.
Once you get things squeaky clean, you can find the leak much easier.
I've heard of some people using powder to help find a leak, talc, or something similar.
Where is it ending up. the bottom of the primary,oil pan, trany???
what seals and gaskets were changed, did a shop do it?
Are we talking engine oil, trans or what?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,322
From: Western South Dakota
Clean the bottom off w/degreaser the best you can, take it out for a good ride and when you park it put a clean piece of cardboard under it.
That will help you isolate where it is coming from.
Make sense?
That will help you isolate where it is coming from.
Make sense?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,081
Likes: 1,127
From:
Give us a hint.
Bike model and year.
Color of fluid? is it primary, transmission?, engine?
Maybe something additional like miles.
Idea of "area"
Bike model and year.
Color of fluid? is it primary, transmission?, engine?
Maybe something additional like miles.
Idea of "area"
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 50
From: Louisville, KY
Possibly from the oil tank?
As other have pointed out, not much info to work with here.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...e-request.html
As other have pointed out, not much info to work with here.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...e-request.html
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 82
From: Columbus, GA
Sorry for the lack of information. 2010 FLHTK
The oil spots are on the left side and I see grit build up from the front of the engine, on the top of the kick stand and getting thrown on the exhaust heat shield just behind the engine.
I'll try the clean and powder trick...hopefully that will work. Otherwise I'll take some good pictures to better show it.
Thanks.
The oil spots are on the left side and I see grit build up from the front of the engine, on the top of the kick stand and getting thrown on the exhaust heat shield just behind the engine.
I'll try the clean and powder trick...hopefully that will work. Otherwise I'll take some good pictures to better show it.
Thanks.
