Oil seeping out from under bolt by sparkplug wire??
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 2
From: MKE, WI
Oil seeping out from under bolt by sparkplug wire??
I was detailing my bike for the weekend and noticed oil seeping up from under one of the bolt by the sparkplug wire. This is on the rear cylinder. Does anyone have any idea what it may be? My bike is a 2014 Ultra and it's 100% stock with only 1500 miles on it.
Thanks for any feedback you all may have.
T
Thanks for any feedback you all may have.
T
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 191
From: Boise, Idaho
Interesting, I would not suspect oil coming from underneath the bolt. I would venture a guess that a small drop of oil came from somewhere else and was deposited on the bolt. It hasn't made much of a spot. If it were me I would clean it off and see if it reappears. With only 1500 miles on the bike it could be residual oil from the manufacturing process.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,086
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From: MKE, WI
The bolt on the opposite side looks perfect as this one originally did until recently. Could be something from the manufacturing process which would be great. The stuff that came out was kinda slippery. I wiped it all off but the residue marl left behind looks the same as when the stuff was on it.
T
T
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 642
Likes: 60
From: cumming
Check the torque on it. And if it still gets wet, well I guess time to go to a dealer and let them make good on it. Spray some degreaser on the area though to make sure you just ain't seeing stain from some sort of oil that may have dripped.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 497
Likes: 8
From: New Egypt, NJ
My guess would be assembly oil from the motor's original assembly. The bolt heads do get oiled on the surface that contacts the head as well as the bolt threads. There's no oil in that part of the head, so it's not really possible for it to be leaking from inside the engine unless it dropped there like someone else said. But I think that is highly unlikely.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Everywhere
Oil seeping out from under bolt by sparkplug wire??
Originally Posted by northeastconfederate
There's no oil in that part of the head, so it's not really possible for it to be leaking from inside the engine .
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: St.Louis Mo.
The head bolt attaches to the cylinder stud. The cylinder stud passes thru the cylinder, thru the head gasket, into the head. Entirely possible that a seep at the head gasket can result in oil traveling along the stud to the bolt. Most likely not the case but instead assembly lube is working its way up the stud and seeping out the bolt.
ean it with some dawn real good and see if it reapeers.
Last edited by hardheaded; Jul 24, 2015 at 03:52 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,086
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From: MKE, WI
I stopped at the dealer yesterday and they looked at it and said that is very common on a newer bike do have residue in that area due to engine assembly. The head technician said he's actually seen that on brand new bikes right after they have rolled off the delivery truck.
Thanks for all the feedback and insight you guys all had.
T
Thanks for all the feedback and insight you guys all had.
T
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
I stopped at the dealer yesterday and they looked at it and said that is very common on a newer bike do have residue in that area due to engine assembly. The head technician said he's actually seen that on brand new bikes right after they have rolled off the delivery truck.
Thanks for all the feedback and insight you guys all had.
T
Thanks for all the feedback and insight you guys all had.
T