Slow primary leak
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 47
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From: Queens
Slow primary leak
Oh no! I have an oil leak on my harley. Who would've seen THAT coming? Ugh. Here is my issue...
I have an 02 dyna fxdx with a slow oil leak coming from the primary right by the drain bolt. The drain bolt is fine. I think the primary needs a new gasket, but not too sure. The leak actually started when I thought one of the primary cover bolts (the one closest to the drain bolt) was the actual drain bolt. Boy did I make a mistake and I think I disturbed the primary's gasket. Anyway, the leak is not a drip-drip leak, but more like it's a spot on the ground in the morning kinda leak. When I don't ride for a few days, the spot looks more saturated. As we know, the primary requires a quart of oil, but how much oil can the primary run on before too little is in effect? I'm thinking of adding more than a quart for the meantime (to prevent refilling often), but how much extra oil can I add before the extra is too much?
I have an 02 dyna fxdx with a slow oil leak coming from the primary right by the drain bolt. The drain bolt is fine. I think the primary needs a new gasket, but not too sure. The leak actually started when I thought one of the primary cover bolts (the one closest to the drain bolt) was the actual drain bolt. Boy did I make a mistake and I think I disturbed the primary's gasket. Anyway, the leak is not a drip-drip leak, but more like it's a spot on the ground in the morning kinda leak. When I don't ride for a few days, the spot looks more saturated. As we know, the primary requires a quart of oil, but how much oil can the primary run on before too little is in effect? I'm thinking of adding more than a quart for the meantime (to prevent refilling often), but how much extra oil can I add before the extra is too much?
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 71
From: Belleville Mi.
Its your shifter shaft seal.....Any way that's the kind of leak I had on my 02 Electra Glide. First thought it was the plug, then the primary gasket. Finally took it to an indy and soon as I told him what was going on he knew what he needed to fix. Could be what is leaking on your bike.....
Trucky911
Trucky911
Last edited by Trucky911; Oct 20, 2012 at 08:50 PM.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 47
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From: Queens
Its your shifter shaft seal.....Any way that's the kind of leak I had on my 02 Electra Glide. First thought it was the plug, then the primary gasket. Finally took it to an indy and soon as I told him what was going on he knew what he needed to fix. Could be what is leaking on your bike.....
Trucky911
Trucky911
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 638
Likes: 132
Are you using gear oil in the tranny? If so smell it. If it smells like gear oil instead of regular oil, then it is probably your shifter shaft seal. If it smells like motor oil, then your probably right, it's coming from your primary.
If your using Syn 3 in all three holes, oh well.
If your using Syn 3 in all three holes, oh well.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 47
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From: Queens
Are you using gear oil in the tranny? If so smell it. If it smells like gear oil instead of regular oil, then it is probably your shifter shaft seal. If it smells like motor oil, then your probably right, it's coming from your primary.
If your using Syn 3 in all three holes, oh well.
If your using Syn 3 in all three holes, oh well.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 638
Likes: 132
If it is your primary cover leaking, it should be obvious. If it is your outer primary gasket leaking it could look like it is dripping from your drain plug.
Start off with draining your primary and using some thread tape on your drain plug, when you re-install. If that doesn't solve the leak, then you'll need to pull the outer primary and replace the gasket.
I wouldn't put to much than a quart in, as it might affect your clutch.
Basically the oil is just slopping around in there keeping everything wet. If it runs a little low, it shouldn't hurt anything. You should be able to add a little oil thru your inspection cover, without having to take your primary cover off....use a turkey baster, or something like that. There is less chance of that gasket leaking when you re-use it.
Start off with draining your primary and using some thread tape on your drain plug, when you re-install. If that doesn't solve the leak, then you'll need to pull the outer primary and replace the gasket.
I wouldn't put to much than a quart in, as it might affect your clutch.
Basically the oil is just slopping around in there keeping everything wet. If it runs a little low, it shouldn't hurt anything. You should be able to add a little oil thru your inspection cover, without having to take your primary cover off....use a turkey baster, or something like that. There is less chance of that gasket leaking when you re-use it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Have you checked the torque on the primary cover bolts? Have you retorqued to specs and not guessed at it? Sometimes the simple stuff still works.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,575
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From: Norfolk, VA
Oh no! I have an oil leak on my harley. Who would've seen THAT coming? Ugh. Here is my issue...
I have an 02 dyna fxdx with a slow oil leak coming from the primary right by the drain bolt. The drain bolt is fine. I think the primary needs a new gasket, but not too sure. The leak actually started when I thought one of the primary cover bolts (the one closest to the drain bolt) was the actual drain bolt. Boy did I make a mistake and I think I disturbed the primary's gasket. Anyway, the leak is not a drip-drip leak, but more like it's a spot on the ground in the morning kinda leak. When I don't ride for a few days, the spot looks more saturated. As we know, the primary requires a quart of oil, but how much oil can the primary run on before too little is in effect? I'm thinking of adding more than a quart for the meantime (to prevent refilling often), but how much extra oil can I add before the extra is too much?
I have an 02 dyna fxdx with a slow oil leak coming from the primary right by the drain bolt. The drain bolt is fine. I think the primary needs a new gasket, but not too sure. The leak actually started when I thought one of the primary cover bolts (the one closest to the drain bolt) was the actual drain bolt. Boy did I make a mistake and I think I disturbed the primary's gasket. Anyway, the leak is not a drip-drip leak, but more like it's a spot on the ground in the morning kinda leak. When I don't ride for a few days, the spot looks more saturated. As we know, the primary requires a quart of oil, but how much oil can the primary run on before too little is in effect? I'm thinking of adding more than a quart for the meantime (to prevent refilling often), but how much extra oil can I add before the extra is too much?
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 29
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From: Flushing, MI.
I had the same problem years ago with my Evo. Try using just a little less than a quart. All you need in the primary is enough fluid so your chain runs through it. Then as you go down the road a mist bathes your clutch. It worked on the evo's.
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 69
From: Northford, CT
I would go with Trucky in that it is the shifter seal. I had the same lead could not really find exactly where it was coming from. Changed trans oil to Red Line sure enough when it did leak it was red. Mine only would put a drop of oil on the garage floor every once in a while. After wiping it down it would take awhile before it would spot the floor again.