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2018 Raod King FLHP....21,000 miles.....107 M8....Just got done with a longer trip....on the way home I noticed oil gathering on top of the trans cover and other places.....put it on the lift once home....observations....
-It appears to me that it is at head gasket or below...there is no oil above the head/cylinder split line
-Looked at vents behind air cleaner and it doesnt show an over excessive amount of oil in there....I dont think this is the problem
-Really cant see any other open issues
Based on what ive read about the sumping issues I decided to see if that was the issue. I cleaned all the oil off everything and added a vented dipstick. I also thought there was some migration of trans to primary oil so I added the vent kit on the primary. After finalizing this stuff I rode it for a few days and same thing oil everywhere in same spots...
So....im down to thinking its a head gasket....in reviewing this...plugs look fine...both the same and burning good. No popping, backfiring, etc. The bike runs the same as it always has. I took a good ride...put it on the lift hot....and do not see any signs of head gasket leaking but maybe om just missing it. Is there any other sure fire tests I can do to confirm head gasket leaking?
Im open to hearing any other observations...thanks!
2018 Raod King FLHP....21,000 miles.....107 M8....Just got done with a longer trip....on the way home I noticed oil gathering on top of the trans cover and other places.....put it on the lift once home....observations....
-It appears to me that it is at head gasket or below...there is no oil above the head/cylinder split line
-Looked at vents behind air cleaner and it doesnt show an over excessive amount of oil in there....I dont think this is the problem
-Really cant see any other open issues
Based on what ive read about the sumping issues I decided to see if that was the issue. I cleaned all the oil off everything and added a vented dipstick. I also thought there was some migration of trans to primary oil so I added the vent kit on the primary. After finalizing this stuff I rode it for a few days and same thing oil everywhere in same spots...
So....im down to thinking its a head gasket....in reviewing this...plugs look fine...both the same and burning good. No popping, backfiring, etc. The bike runs the same as it always has. I took a good ride...put it on the lift hot....and do not see any signs of head gasket leaking but maybe om just missing it. Is there any other sure fire tests I can do to confirm head gasket leaking?
Im open to hearing any other observations...thanks!
what about the oil cooled system of hoses, clamps, tubes ... but yeah on the head gaskets..you wouldn't be the first that had a problem with those leaking
2018 Raod King FLHP....21,000 miles.....107 M8....Just got done with a longer trip....on the way home I noticed oil gathering on top of the trans cover and other places.....put it on the lift once home....observations....
-It appears to me that it is at head gasket or below...there is no oil above the head/cylinder split line
-Looked at vents behind air cleaner and it doesnt show an over excessive amount of oil in there....I dont think this is the problem
-Really cant see any other open issues
Based on what ive read about the sumping issues I decided to see if that was the issue. I cleaned all the oil off everything and added a vented dipstick. I also thought there was some migration of trans to primary oil so I added the vent kit on the primary. After finalizing this stuff I rode it for a few days and same thing oil everywhere in same spots...
So....im down to thinking its a head gasket....in reviewing this...plugs look fine...both the same and burning good. No popping, backfiring, etc. The bike runs the same as it always has. I took a good ride...put it on the lift hot....and do not see any signs of head gasket leaking but maybe om just missing it. Is there any other sure fire tests I can do to confirm head gasket leaking?
Im open to hearing any other observations...thanks!
I have the same thing on my 2017 RGS. If you fold up a paper shop towel and stuff it between the fins where the head and cylinder join, ride the bike to see if there is oil on the towel. If there is then you have leak from the casting hole that the head gasket is suppose to seal. S&S makes an expansion plug kit to plug this casting hole (pt #.910-0677). I believe it is required for a 124" kit. When you replace the head gasket I would recommend plugging the casting hole to prevent this from reoccurring.
This picture shows the casting hole on an M8 oil cooled head. That is where the oil is coming from.
what about the oil cooled system of hoses, clamps, tubes ... but yeah on the head gaskets..you wouldn't be the first that had a problem with those leaking
Ive looked specifically at the connections and that does not appear to be it.
I have the same thing on my 2017 RGS. If you fold up a paper shop towel and stuff it between the fins where the head and cylinder join, ride the bike to see if there is oil on the towel. If there is then you have leak from the casting hole that the head gasket is suppose to seal. S&S makes an expansion plug kit to plug this casting hole (pt #.910-0677). I believe it is required for a 124" kit. When you replace the head gasket I would recommend plugging the casting hole to prevent this from reoccurring.
This picture shows the casting hole on an M8 oil cooled head. That is where the oil is coming from.
Great idea...I will do that. Should confirm the head gasket. As far as the casting hole....so dumb....I know why its done but could be done with a considerably smaller vent hole.
If it is fact the head gasket im going with the S&S 129" cylinders and pistons.
The rear goes under the exhaust port, drops on to the trans is how I found mine was blown before it got serious. Stock gaskets don't hang on the early years M8's.
Put a shop towel at the split line of head and cylinder and didn't see anything conclusive after riding it....runs perfect....Probably try and leg it thru the rest of the season....which is pretty short up here...then tear into later in the fall.
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Head gasket?
