Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

How can I solve this problem...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 14, 2011 | 09:55 PM
  #1  
Gray_Drifter's Avatar
Gray_Drifter
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Default How can I solve this problem...

This is the second time this has happened. I drain the primary fluid, check the chain spec, adjust the clutch pack, and add new fluid. All goes smoothly. The bike shifts perfect, goes into neutral perfect, but when I finish my test ride, I see a smear of fluid that's weeping out from under the primary chain inspection cover. I used a brand new gasket and even bought a nice new inspection cover, but it still leaked. I even went all out this time and bought a new torque wrench.

The first time this happened, I just wiped the small film of fluid off the primary after each ride and didn't do anything to fix it, because it was such a small amount of fluid. This time there is a little more fluid and it's bugging the hell out of me.

I'm thinking about trying two gaskets or possibly putting a tiny bead of clear silicone around the cover, but I really shouldn't have to do that. Anyone have any good suggestions for me.

Thanks in advance for the info.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2011 | 10:16 PM
  #2  
Qdraw's Avatar
Qdraw
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 136
Likes: 3
From: Olympic Penisula, Wa
Default

Did you inspect the seating surfaces (primary and cover) really good? Sounds like you may have a scored surface. If that is the case (no pun intended) you may be able to fill a gouge if you have one. Something else you may try is to use a gasket tac like that made by loctite. I swear by that stuff... gaskets stay in place, so there is no slippage while you are aligning the primary cover; this is another area that may be giving you trouble... if you have the cover drop a little "out of true" (it dont take much) before you torque it in place. I hope some of these suggestions help you out man.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2011 | 10:31 PM
  #3  
mi2az's Avatar
mi2az
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 2
From: AZ
Default

I was thinking the same thing, gasket might of gotten pinched or not set correctly.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2011 | 10:52 PM
  #4  
Gray_Drifter's Avatar
Gray_Drifter
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Default

This is just the small inspection plate cover that's held on with four small allen head bolts. The manual says to tighten them to 80-108 inch pounds. I went with 95 inch pounds. Because it's so small, it would be really hard to mess the gasket alignment up. The mating surface on the primary look perfect, but obviously something is not quite right. I might try using thread sealant on the four bolts and may be put a bead of form a gasket on the primary surface and let that set up before installing the cover with a new gasket.
 
Reply
Old May 15, 2011 | 05:54 AM
  #5  
PRrdglide's Avatar
PRrdglide
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 55
From: Ft. Myers
Default

I tighten top, bottom Le, Ri. I do 50 in lbs 1st then go to 95 to 100 in lbs
 
Reply
Old May 15, 2011 | 06:00 AM
  #6  
FroggyFatBoy's Avatar
FroggyFatBoy
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
Default

check the bolt holes in the primary cover and see if they go all the way through. if they do, fluid is seeping out the threads. put a small dab of silicone sealer on the screw threads and the problem should be gone.
 
Reply
Old May 15, 2011 | 09:09 AM
  #7  
Gray_Drifter's Avatar
Gray_Drifter
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Default

Thanks for the advice guys. I will stop by the dealer today and pick up a couple of extra gaskets and do a little experimenting. I noticed my old gasket had a silicone compression bead on each side of it. The gasket I bought at the dealer is just a really thin fiber gasket, which may be a little more difficult to get to seal properly. If all else fails, I can always get a sheet of .125" thick cork gasket material and cut my own. Using thread sealer on the bolts is probably are really good idea also.
 
Reply
Old May 15, 2011 | 09:28 AM
  #8  
tlb's Avatar
tlb
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,984
Likes: 8
Default

If I torque mine over about 85inch lbs it will leak. I would get a new gasket, and torque to the minimum setting.
 
Reply
Old May 15, 2011 | 09:37 AM
  #9  
RANGER73's Avatar
RANGER73
Club Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,418
Likes: 7,113
From: Beyond Fucital
Default

sometimes the washers on the bolts crack.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
baka1969
Sportster Models
31
Oct 5, 2023 05:31 AM
Tralfaz
Sportster Models
13
Jul 31, 2022 04:50 AM
dproto09
Sportster Models
29
Jan 19, 2017 10:07 AM
Katsfatboy
General Harley Davidson Chat
8
May 20, 2015 03:40 PM
magazine
EVO
5
Aug 16, 2012 10:54 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:24 AM.