leaking rocker-boxes on reman'd EVO
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Mobtown
leaking rocker-boxes on reman'd EVO
Mine's been leaking since day one (between top rocker-box and middle spacer). Apparently, the gasket keeps popping/sliding out of place... blowing oil everwhere! The dealership has tried to fix it twice and now they're going for a third.
I haven't even finished the 500 mile break-in, yet. Tech support at Harley said to use Buell rocker-box bolts instead of the stock Harley ones. Not sure how that can possibly help... but we'll see.
Also, the mechanic who's been working on the bike suspects that the chrome finish in the gasket area might be the culprit, so he's going to carefully bead-blast the area to help the gasket grip the metal. He's also checking for trueness of the machined surfaces... making sure they're as flat as can be.
It's not the oil breather gear, either. That's been ruled out.
Anybody heard of this? What was the culprit and what was the remedy?
Thanks.
p.s. I fully trust the dealership and it's mechanics. I don't believe it's lack of competence on their part.
I haven't even finished the 500 mile break-in, yet. Tech support at Harley said to use Buell rocker-box bolts instead of the stock Harley ones. Not sure how that can possibly help... but we'll see.
Also, the mechanic who's been working on the bike suspects that the chrome finish in the gasket area might be the culprit, so he's going to carefully bead-blast the area to help the gasket grip the metal. He's also checking for trueness of the machined surfaces... making sure they're as flat as can be.
It's not the oil breather gear, either. That's been ruled out.
Anybody heard of this? What was the culprit and what was the remedy?
Thanks.
p.s. I fully trust the dealership and it's mechanics. I don't believe it's lack of competence on their part.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
I had similar problems with one of my Evo's, a 92 FXSTC that I converted to a Heritage. The manual and gaskets for that unit specify NO silicone. It's a dry gasket setup. After going through 3 sets of gaskets, I pulled em off, put a very light coat of heat treated silicone all around the base of the new gaskets, glued it back together, let it sit for 24 hours, and it was leak free for the life of the bike. Hope this helps.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
seem like i repair at least one of these a year i use a product called hi-tac been around forever back in the early day when silly cone first came out an old mech ask me if that silly cone stuff squirted out and i said ya you just wipe off the extrathen he said what about the inside i said oh sh*t hi-tac come in a spray so you can spray the rubber and just lay it in the channel works great
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Mobtown
Thanks for the quick reply, bigskyhd!
My mechanic and I have discussed using some sort of adhesive for the gasket, but he was very cautious when discussing the silicone-based kind. Sounded like he really didn't want to go that route. Whatever is used obviously needs to be flexible and heat resistant. I've been researching alternatives at the local auto parts stores... but I have a strange feeling we'll end up using something like you did.
Thanks, again.
My mechanic and I have discussed using some sort of adhesive for the gasket, but he was very cautious when discussing the silicone-based kind. Sounded like he really didn't want to go that route. Whatever is used obviously needs to be flexible and heat resistant. I've been researching alternatives at the local auto parts stores... but I have a strange feeling we'll end up using something like you did.
Thanks, again.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
No problem. Glad to help. As far as it squirting out, and oozing into the inside. If that happens out either side, YOU"RE USING WAY TOO MUCH.... Note in my original comment that I said "very light coat", certainly not a bead by any means. In this case a little goes along ways. You just want it to permanently seal. And this did the trick for me. Believe me, I was ready for a fix after yanking it apart 3 times.... Good Luck.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 18
From: Upstate SC
Had a similiar problem on my 96 RK after reman. Tried 2 sets of HD gaskets then added silicone like above. No leaks after that.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 944
Likes: 2
From: Tennessee
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From:
Not endorsing product,s ,Yet i use a sealent called yamabond,gray in colour,need,s agas free oil free surface to cling to,...never a leak even on a hot day at the track..drie,s rock hard..will not swrill around in the motor if let to set up over night ..I hate oil leak,s been doing my own work on bike,s for year,s trial and error..forget about silicone based anything..
