Found it... now what ???!!!
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Found it... now what ???!!!
OK. I think I found the mysterious slow fluid leak I was having.
After switching to royal purple in the tranny i could rule it out..seemd to be coming from behind inner primary... but primary fluid was OK..but then again it was a very slow leak...
What kept getting me was the primary fluid looked very clean.. this looked a little dirtier.
Well I had neglected to look much further on the bike as I was convinced it was primary related.
It is engine oul and it appears to be coming from the front of the crankcase, which is much dirtier than I have ever let it get. Oil filter is on tight but it seems to be coming from where the Voltage regulater plugs into the crankcase. It is a 2 prong connection with a rubber boot. There is nothing above it that would indicate the leak is higher, but when the bike is shut down, oil appears to have traveled down the front of the crankcase, down behing the inner primary and drops off the bike on the lowest spot which is approx near the swingarm.
My question is does this leak often / is this a common issue?
How do i fix this / can i fix this without pulling the engine apart?
1998 FLSTF with 35k miles.
Thanks
After switching to royal purple in the tranny i could rule it out..seemd to be coming from behind inner primary... but primary fluid was OK..but then again it was a very slow leak...
What kept getting me was the primary fluid looked very clean.. this looked a little dirtier.
Well I had neglected to look much further on the bike as I was convinced it was primary related.
It is engine oul and it appears to be coming from the front of the crankcase, which is much dirtier than I have ever let it get. Oil filter is on tight but it seems to be coming from where the Voltage regulater plugs into the crankcase. It is a 2 prong connection with a rubber boot. There is nothing above it that would indicate the leak is higher, but when the bike is shut down, oil appears to have traveled down the front of the crankcase, down behing the inner primary and drops off the bike on the lowest spot which is approx near the swingarm.
My question is does this leak often / is this a common issue?
How do i fix this / can i fix this without pulling the engine apart?
1998 FLSTF with 35k miles.
Thanks
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 43
From: NJ
That would be the stator plug and while it looks like it is the crank case, it's actually accessed through the primary. If it is leaking around the outside of the plug, best thing to do is replace it. I've seen folks try to fix them with silicone and things like that but they often fail again. They sometimes leak out of the two conectors, the inside of the plug, and I've fixed this by takeing a black zip tie and tightening it around the stator plug below where the regulator plug fits, and they seem to stay dry. To find the leak for sure, clean everything real good in the area you suspect, dry it and then apply a liberal coating of Arid ExtraDry deoderant. Then start it up, a tiny bit of oil becomes real visable. Hope this helps..
Doug
Doug
Last edited by Doug S; Mar 3, 2012 at 02:32 PM.
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Doug.. yeah thats it and it seems to be coming from the two holes as you described. The way I see it this is not a major issue as long as I keep an ey on the oil level.
Ok so it is the connection to the stator..but it does not appear to be primary / fluid. unless it is greatly changing color on its journey..but I am almost positive this is where it is leaking. To be expected.. 14 yr old rubber fitting I guess...
So do I pull the outer primary off to get to it? can anyone tell me if this is a big deal to replace?
Thanks
Ok so it is the connection to the stator..but it does not appear to be primary / fluid. unless it is greatly changing color on its journey..but I am almost positive this is where it is leaking. To be expected.. 14 yr old rubber fitting I guess...
So do I pull the outer primary off to get to it? can anyone tell me if this is a big deal to replace?
Thanks
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 705
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From: southern IL
Kind of a big deal, yeah. You have to drain the primary, remove the cover, remove the primary chain, compensator (big pain) and then you can get to the stator. From what I've heard, getting that boot out is a real PITA. Hours of fun!!
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not too bad.. I'm comfortable doing that much. From what I have found, the plug is not sold separate, but it's part of the stator. Is that correct??
Can I assume from it's location that it IS primary fluid then?? dayum..
Thought it was an inner primary leak, so was going to pull it all of and replace all seals bearings... this is actually a little less work...althought that boot will probably have me dropping f-bombs,
Can I assume from it's location that it IS primary fluid then?? dayum..
Thought it was an inner primary leak, so was going to pull it all of and replace all seals bearings... this is actually a little less work...althought that boot will probably have me dropping f-bombs,
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 705
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From: southern IL
I haven't seen the boot sold separate. That kinda sucks cause stators are pretty pricey just to replace a boot. I'd explore the zip tie option if possible. Yes, it's stator fluid. My guess is that it's thrown right at the boot from coming off the primary chain.
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Stator is not too bad.. just over $100. Like I said a 14 yr old bike, I guess it is to be expected. I will try the zip tie trick first and maybe some high temp silicone around the outside.
I hope I can do the zip tie trick without having to take off the compensator sprocket etc..just the outer primary cover
I hope I can do the zip tie trick without having to take off the compensator sprocket etc..just the outer primary cover
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 43
From: NJ
What happens is after time, the rubber gets kind of soft, gooey or spongy, then it gets bumped during an oil change or washing the bike and it starts leaking. Make sure it is just leaking out of the conection holes and try the zip tie, use a wide one. I'd still plan on replacing it sometime soon or atleast the next time you are in the primary, use an OEM one.
There are many diy on the web but it's really just a nuts and bolts type of repair, one of the nuts is 1.5". You really don't even need to removed the inner primary. Getting the new stator plug back through the hole can be a little difficult but other than that it's pretty strait forward. Get a service manual if you don't have one.
Doug
There are many diy on the web but it's really just a nuts and bolts type of repair, one of the nuts is 1.5". You really don't even need to removed the inner primary. Getting the new stator plug back through the hole can be a little difficult but other than that it's pretty strait forward. Get a service manual if you don't have one.
Doug
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,123
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From: NJ
I didn't see your last post, the zip tie goes around the stator plug just below where the end of the voltage regulator plug sits when it's fully connected.
There is no need to remove anything, it is done on the outside. I may be able to take a picture of one tomorrow if you are not clear on it..
Doug
There is no need to remove anything, it is done on the outside. I may be able to take a picture of one tomorrow if you are not clear on it..
Doug
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Doug,
OK I'm with you now.. wow thats an easy fix.. I'll give it a try.
Yes it probably got bumped or something. Although after 14 yrs in florida weather i'm surprised it is still intact.
Having to replace the entire stator to do this is a pain in the ***, but It seems like an easy to average job, I have the tools and the time(soon) and will just need to order the parts. I will definitely try the ziptie fix though.. as there is no real reason to need to remove it unless i am replacing the voltage regulator or the stator. and Yes I do have a service manual and whiel it tells you HOW to do many things, I need to unbderstand the WHY before I do it which I do now.
Answer me this though.. is it "pressure" forcing this fluid out or just the force of it being thrown against the side of the primary by the sprocket?
Thanks Guys
OK I'm with you now.. wow thats an easy fix.. I'll give it a try.
Yes it probably got bumped or something. Although after 14 yrs in florida weather i'm surprised it is still intact.
Having to replace the entire stator to do this is a pain in the ***, but It seems like an easy to average job, I have the tools and the time(soon) and will just need to order the parts. I will definitely try the ziptie fix though.. as there is no real reason to need to remove it unless i am replacing the voltage regulator or the stator. and Yes I do have a service manual and whiel it tells you HOW to do many things, I need to unbderstand the WHY before I do it which I do now.
Answer me this though.. is it "pressure" forcing this fluid out or just the force of it being thrown against the side of the primary by the sprocket?
Thanks Guys