New Oil Leak
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 426
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New Oil Leak
Before I do the paper towel test Mick told me about, anyone got an idea where this leak is coming from? It's dripping at a fast rate off the oil pump, but theres oil dripping down the ignition wire as well. I'm thinking the generator seal. Also do they not make a rebuild kit for 1975 ironhead oil pumps? cuz I sure as hell can't find one.
That was my first issue with my first IronHead. I dismantled a lot of stuff and even rebuilt the oil pump before i discovered that one of the bolt holes for the generator was stripped, it was loose, the oil leaked between the gen and the case, and all the rest was splatter - all over the oil pump and all the way back to the rear wheel.
For rebuild i bought a gasket/repair kit. J&P Cycles has various kits and parts etc. Check out their catalog.
For rebuild i bought a gasket/repair kit. J&P Cycles has various kits and parts etc. Check out their catalog.
I had a helicoil installed by a local indie mechanic. It was a bit tricky as there is not much metal to drill into. Worked for as long as i had the bike after that - at least 5 years. Probably still going today.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 400
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From: se ohio
i have been putting helicoils in for many many years,in everything from brigs and stratons to vws to harley and have never had a leaking prob?
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
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*shrug* maybe I didn't do it right, but I had four stripped bolt holes in my cam chest and three of them leaked small amounts of oil after I installed helicoils. Thread tape fixed the problem. Would putting dye in the oil hurt my engine any?
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
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It can do nothing but leak.
Measures must be taken to prevent the leak, if the situation demands it.
In the case of a generator, oil is sealed by the clamping of the gasket between the generator end cap, and the crankcase extension. A leak free fitment in that instance has no relationship to the oil leaking properties of a helicoil.
Where possible, a keensert style repair is preferential for successful oil retention.
Whilst it is indeed common for repairers to use a helicoil on a 4 speed mounting stud hole, for instance, the reality is that the wrong product is being used.
It can be made to work, but is not the ideal. As it can work, many then use this as proof that they have done the right/best thing.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Quite commonly, the full story behind any dynamic or repair is vastly unknown to most, including (so-called) professionals, who will argue endlessly that they know exactly what they are doing, even when confronted with additional information that they clearly had no idea existed.
Care needs to be taken, to avoid being misdirected by poor advice provided from others.