Sportster oil leaking from under head
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Stage III
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3
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Sportster oil leaking from under head
I am new to Harleys and to this forum, and would appreciate any advice on this leaking problem. This is a 2000 Sportster 883. The front left corner of my front cylinder is seeping oil from where the head meets the jug. Can anyone tell me if this is a major job to get to the seal and what kind of seal is under there? (ie, O-ring , hard gasket, etc.)
Thanks
Route66dan
Thanks
Route66dan
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
It is a hard gasket between the cylinder head and cylinder (jug). You will need a service manual for sure and a torque wrench and several specialty tools but it is not rocket science. If you are going to take it apart then you might as well do a top end overhaul if your bike has more than 40,000 miles. You will want to replace the valve seals, rocker arm bushings, vent valves, and maybe resurface the valve seats.
You may also consider getting a SE 1200 conversion done and your bike will blow the doors off all the big twin Harleys. 883's converted to 1200 are very fast.
But first, I would completely clean your engine with S100 cleaner and a brush and then tighten your rocker box covers and be absolutely 100% sure your cyl head gasket is leaking and not a rocker box cover dripping down. You may want to do a leak down test to confirm. Do not tighten the cylinder head bolts as there is a very specific 2 stage torquing procedure for the cyl heads on a Sporty motor.
You may also consider getting a SE 1200 conversion done and your bike will blow the doors off all the big twin Harleys. 883's converted to 1200 are very fast.
But first, I would completely clean your engine with S100 cleaner and a brush and then tighten your rocker box covers and be absolutely 100% sure your cyl head gasket is leaking and not a rocker box cover dripping down. You may want to do a leak down test to confirm. Do not tighten the cylinder head bolts as there is a very specific 2 stage torquing procedure for the cyl heads on a Sporty motor.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
The big question is, where is the oil actually coming from. Probably not the head gasket. But could be a drain hole. Most likely, it's from the valve cover. Your first step is to carefully diagnose the problem before replacing any parts.
NAPA sells a dye kit. Add flourescine dye to the oil, look for the leak with a black light.
Most auto repair shops have a smoke machine. It injects a petroleum based smoke into the crank case. Where the smoke leaks out is the same place the oil leaks out.
NAPA sells a dye kit. Add flourescine dye to the oil, look for the leak with a black light.
Most auto repair shops have a smoke machine. It injects a petroleum based smoke into the crank case. Where the smoke leaks out is the same place the oil leaks out.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
I have seen more than 3 Harleys has engine top side oil leaks that were fixed in minutes with a rocker box wrench. Just clean em off real good with some S100 or simple green. Have never seen a head gasket leak yet.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
You have a rocker box gasket leaking, not a head gasket.
No need for a fancy dye kit. Just wash the bike, let it dry. Run it a a bit and spray some aerosol anti-perspirant (not deodorant) in the area you think is leaking. The leak will show up as a white spot.
No need for a fancy dye kit. Just wash the bike, let it dry. Run it a a bit and spray some aerosol anti-perspirant (not deodorant) in the area you think is leaking. The leak will show up as a white spot.
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