Oil leak????
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 113
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From: Missouri
Oil leak????
Bought a 03 Heritage Softtail recently, 15,000 miles on bike. I haven't rode more than 100 miles altogether in the last 4 months, due to all the hunting I do and weather conditions. The last 2 times I rode, I notice oil on side of my oil tank (Short Rides). Was thinking I had a oil line or rocker box leaking, nothing showing on either. Conferred with a friend saying it was probably coming from breather from crankcase line leading there. There is some oil in the bottom of breather. I think this is the problem. I know evo's do this. Wasn't aware of Heritage's doing it. Any of U guy's had this problem? How long will this leak? Thinking after weather breaks enough to ride a good distance it may quit. What do U guy's think?
Chop
Chop
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 1
From: manhattan beach
it could be a breather issue... not uncommon-
i always keep my oil around half full and also installed a breather to get rid of my oil blow-by on the sporty. i am aware that this problem could exist in your bike too...
if your oil is going under the bike and not on your leg its probably not really an issue. keep the oil level down and check it as you would each time you ride.
i like this article:
http://www.mklsportster.com/xloilblowbyarticle.htm
(yes i know its a sporty engine but the same principals apply to your bike)
i always keep my oil around half full and also installed a breather to get rid of my oil blow-by on the sporty. i am aware that this problem could exist in your bike too...
if your oil is going under the bike and not on your leg its probably not really an issue. keep the oil level down and check it as you would each time you ride.
i like this article:
http://www.mklsportster.com/xloilblowbyarticle.htm
(yes i know its a sporty engine but the same principals apply to your bike)
Last edited by wanabe; Jan 24, 2012 at 11:07 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 1
From: manhattan beach
it seemed worse when the oil level was full and i was "riding it like i stole it" (high rpms)... with that combo i would even get it on the right pant leg sometimes. my first try was to lower the oil level. that helped a lot but still didnt cure the problem. the breather combined with the lowered oil level did it for me. i can ride however i want now with no more black leg disease!
btw, the breather tube can be seen in this pic- the tube that looks like its coming outta the air filter:
btw, the breather tube can be seen in this pic- the tube that looks like its coming outta the air filter:
Last edited by wanabe; Jan 24, 2012 at 11:36 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 113
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From: Missouri
My 85 evo does this after winter setting up. I have an S&S Carb. on it so crankcase breather hose is routed to the bottom of frame. It pucks oil for awhile and then it quits. This is the same hose that goes to the Heritage's carb. breather.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,386
Likes: 255
From: Southern California
It sounds like it's coming from the Breather Tubes that are in the Air Cleaner.
Once the Air Cleaner get's loaded up with a bit of oil, it will drip off the bottom of the Air Cleaner and get blown back onto the Oil Tank. It doesn't take much oil to look like a major amount of oil covering the Oil Tank. But it's not likely that it's actually coming from the Oil Tank or any of your oil lines. (It's possible but very unlikely.) If you run your finger along the lower edge of your Air Cleaner and you come away with oil on your finger you found the source.
To correct this problem check your oil level with the bike fully warmed up and resting on the kick stand. Running the Oil Level about a half a quart low helps tremendously with this issue. If there is a big bore kit on the bike and/or you run at high RPM's a lot, you may always have a very minor problem with this. I have a 103" Kit on my 2010 but I run a half quart low and also use a K&N Air Filter element (since they are oiled anyway) and this combination seems to have eliminated the problem for the most part.
Once the Air Cleaner get's loaded up with a bit of oil, it will drip off the bottom of the Air Cleaner and get blown back onto the Oil Tank. It doesn't take much oil to look like a major amount of oil covering the Oil Tank. But it's not likely that it's actually coming from the Oil Tank or any of your oil lines. (It's possible but very unlikely.) If you run your finger along the lower edge of your Air Cleaner and you come away with oil on your finger you found the source.
To correct this problem check your oil level with the bike fully warmed up and resting on the kick stand. Running the Oil Level about a half a quart low helps tremendously with this issue. If there is a big bore kit on the bike and/or you run at high RPM's a lot, you may always have a very minor problem with this. I have a 103" Kit on my 2010 but I run a half quart low and also use a K&N Air Filter element (since they are oiled anyway) and this combination seems to have eliminated the problem for the most part.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Missouri
Hear U Bro, Just don't like the lowering the oil level in tank issue. Not bitching or saying I wouldn't try it any ideas are appreciated. Oil on side of tank is all I have. It is not a major amount. Recently got back into the Harley World after 20 years and thinks have changed alot. Knuckleheads, Panheads, and Shovels I am very much formiliar with. My first HD was a 76 Sporty, Many moons ago. Thx for the reply
Chop
Chop
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Missouri
That is exacly what I have found Bluehighway. I will try that. thx for help. Will this accur more from setting up and not ridden?
Chop
Chop
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: USA
Its a well known trait both in carbed and EFI bikes.
Easy answer is to lower the oil level by a half quart. If you want to get more involved Doherty Machine makes a kit that virtually elimates the problem.
Easy answer is to lower the oil level by a half quart. If you want to get more involved Doherty Machine makes a kit that virtually elimates the problem.
