Leak Between Rocker Cover and Head Cylinder
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: D.C.
Leak Between Rocker Cover and Head Cylinder
Hey guys,
Today I just notice something strange with my bike. When I started the bike, I passed my hand on the right side of the rear cylinder and felt air coming out of it which is not the case with the front cylinder (see pic for exact location). It's between the lower rocker cover and the head cylinder (I hope I am using the correct terminology).
What do you think could be wrong and what I should do? I never took a cylinder apart before and don't want to do it myself. I checked the bolt above the high rocker box and they are all tight.
I have no idea since when it has been doing this but I've noticed lots of oil splatters on the rear cylinder on both the right and left side. I thought it was the rear exhaust pipe that was loose (which was) and tighten the bolts but kept doing it a little. I've been told it's normal with Evo engines but the front cylinder has no oil splatter whatsoever.
Today I just notice something strange with my bike. When I started the bike, I passed my hand on the right side of the rear cylinder and felt air coming out of it which is not the case with the front cylinder (see pic for exact location). It's between the lower rocker cover and the head cylinder (I hope I am using the correct terminology).
What do you think could be wrong and what I should do? I never took a cylinder apart before and don't want to do it myself. I checked the bolt above the high rocker box and they are all tight.
I have no idea since when it has been doing this but I've noticed lots of oil splatters on the rear cylinder on both the right and left side. I thought it was the rear exhaust pipe that was loose (which was) and tighten the bolts but kept doing it a little. I've been told it's normal with Evo engines but the front cylinder has no oil splatter whatsoever.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,708
Likes: 17,550
From: Driftless Area
You need new rocker box gaskets. Tightening those top bolts won't help, because the rocker boxes are three pieces, and those bolts only fasten to the third (bottom) section. The bottom rocker box is fastened to the head from the inside, under the top and middle sections. Once you take the top section off, you should be able to lift out the middle section, and will then see the bolts that tighten the bottom. Don't just tighten them though, get the new gaskets and replace them all. The new gaskets go between all the sections. The gaskets they sell you are better than the ones it came with and will seal better. Apart from getting at them, it isn't a hard job. You will likely need to remove the tank for best results. You can shorten (grind) an allen wrench to get it to fit into the tight spaces, but I've seen some softails that had clearance holes in the frame rail so that you could put the allen wrench through. Just do each layer (bottom, middle, top) one at a time. Be thorough, and make sure you address every bolt on the bottom one, before you lay in the middle and bolt the top one.
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Voony
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Jun 10, 2011 04:28 PM
