Oil leak
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
From: SE TN
Oil leak
My 07 FXST that has recently begun leaking oil. It was fairly slow, maybe a drop on the floor overnight. I noticed it was accumulating the primary drain plug, but assumed this was because it is lowest point for the fluid to go while on the jiffy stand. The fluid was fairly clean which makes me believe it is the transmission or primary.
The first time I noticed it, I cleaned the bike up thoroughly that weekend, put it on the lift, and ran it for about 15 min to warm the fluids up to find where the leak is... and couldn't find it.
I assumed it was so slow that it could wait until I service it at the next interval, but it has recently began leaking more. It is the same fluid accumulating in the same area. It doesn't appear to be leaking more or less depending on how hard I ride, but the increased leakage could be due to the hotter weather (?) we've had recently.
I've searched through the forums but can't narrow it down since I haven't been able to locate the origin of the leak as of yet. Any ideas?
Also, one strange thing I noticed was that the primary drain plug is not a socket-head plug, but a hex plug with a flange. Never thought anything of it until I noticed the service manual points out a socket head plug. Since I bought the bike used, does anyone know if the hex plug with a flange stock on an FXST?
The first time I noticed it, I cleaned the bike up thoroughly that weekend, put it on the lift, and ran it for about 15 min to warm the fluids up to find where the leak is... and couldn't find it.
I assumed it was so slow that it could wait until I service it at the next interval, but it has recently began leaking more. It is the same fluid accumulating in the same area. It doesn't appear to be leaking more or less depending on how hard I ride, but the increased leakage could be due to the hotter weather (?) we've had recently.
I've searched through the forums but can't narrow it down since I haven't been able to locate the origin of the leak as of yet. Any ideas?
Also, one strange thing I noticed was that the primary drain plug is not a socket-head plug, but a hex plug with a flange. Never thought anything of it until I noticed the service manual points out a socket head plug. Since I bought the bike used, does anyone know if the hex plug with a flange stock on an FXST?
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
It is either leaking at the primary drain plug or between the primary and transmission at one of the seals. On my 02 softail the primary drain plug is a hex non bolt type plug. I am not sure on the newer softails what it is supposed to be.
Drew
Drew
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
From: SE TN
I guess that is why I am debating what to do in order to identify what fluid is leaking. Should I change out the primary oil with a colored fluid, change out both fluids with colored fluids, or change fluids and take off the outer primary to inspect/change seals?
I hate chasing leaks...
I hate chasing leaks...
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 28
From: Kokomo, IN
When I rebuilt my motor I bought a complete engine gasket kit from my Indy and the primary kit from Harley. I didn't know the Harley kit does not include the 2 seals that are on the bearings on the inside of the primary. After a 2,900 mile trip, the left rear of the bike looked like the Exxon Valdez. My starter bearing seal was leaking badly.
If I had known about the seals, I wouldn't have had to tear it all apart again....
If I had known about the seals, I wouldn't have had to tear it all apart again....
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 145
From: SE Louisiana
Just out of curiosity -- what are you gonna use? I've never thought about "tinted oil", wouldn't know where to get it.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 521
Likes: 3
From: Virginia
Just had the exact same symptoms on my fatty. The problem was the main shaft seal. I had the inner primary removed and all seals replaced. No further issues. Like yours, I'd clean the area around the leak and run the bike for 15 - 20 minutes at idle and no leak. After a few minutes of riding it would start leaking. Just enough to make a mess.
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