oil leak ?
oil leak ?
I have a 07 FXDC and I notice that I have a little oil sepage that I cant find in the primary at 1st I thought it was the drain plug so I replaced the o ring but now it seems to have a little oil back there and up by the belt not much at all it has not dripped yet although be 4 I changed the o ring I had a couple of drops so I guess I am asking can it sweat or leak at the iner pully ? I also use lucas syn oil in all 3 holes so please give me your oppionon !
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
First find out for sure where it is leaking. Clean it off completely with non-clorinated brake cleaner and rinse with soap and water. Then watch it so you see exactly where it is coming from. Check the trans vent hose as well ( it comes out of the top of the trans behind the top cover) and make sure it is not plugged or the trans is not over filled.
If it is leaking at the pulley then it is most likely the shaft seal. However, if you are using synthetic oil in the trans go get some bel-ray or rotella or valvoline 75w90, 80w90 or 85w140 dino gear oil and use that . I have seen cases where synthetic will leak but dino will not. That should at least buy you some time before you need to tear into it.
If it is leaking at the pulley then it is most likely the shaft seal. However, if you are using synthetic oil in the trans go get some bel-ray or rotella or valvoline 75w90, 80w90 or 85w140 dino gear oil and use that . I have seen cases where synthetic will leak but dino will not. That should at least buy you some time before you need to tear into it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
I quit running thin weight oil in my transmission. This is the same designed transmission that we always ran with thicker oil in the past. I now run Bel-ray. I believe it is something like 90-130 semi synthetic but I would have to look in my book. Not going to get long into an oil discussion but all three holes with the same oil didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. One other thing I developed a small seep right after I had a rear tire installed. I looked at the buddy mark on my axle adjustment and noticed it was moved. Turned out that the person that installed my new tire must have thought my belt was loose and adjusted my axle. My belt was now too tight. I realigned my rear axle and adjusted my belt tension and seep stopped.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,871
Likes: 4
if your not mech inclined take it to dealer or indy, and have it put up on a lift, so they can get a good look, otherwise it will drive you crazy, sometimes its worth spending a little to save a little piece of mind, i also think you should run different oil in tranny i run redline shockproof, but lets not turn this into a oil thread try one of the good tranny oils and see what happenes
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 2
From: DUNDALK,MARYLAND
I have a 07 FXDL and I notice that I have a little oil leak at the inner primary bearing about 10k miles ago I have around 32 k on the bike. Now it's time to repair the bearing. Mine is not leaking from the trans but leaking from the primary.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 2
From: DUNDALK,MARYLAND
Use Red Line Oil in the trans to mark your leak. If it leaks red it's from your trans.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
Inner primaries seem to be picky about leaking. I do not know why. When I had a chrome inner primary replaced at a dealer, it leaked and they had to do it again. Synthetic in primary? Waste. Just lubing a regular old chain and cooling a clutch. Not hard to do. But I'm sure people will argue the point.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
Inner primaries seem to be picky about leaking. I do not know why. When I had a chrome inner primary replaced at a dealer, it leaked and they had to do it again. Synthetic in primary? Waste. Just lubing a regular old chain and cooling a clutch. Not hard to do. But I'm sure people will argue the point.