Engine Sweating - A HD term
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 654
Likes: 11
Engine Sweating - A HD term
Good day Riders.
I'm looking for assistance here to understand the situation that I am dealing with. I recently purchase a 103 cu inch, 2006 FLHTCUSE with 4800 miles. I've put about 200 miles on the bike and noticed a brown stain seemingly coming from the rocker cover above the rear spark plug. Was riding this past week-end and the stain "grew" to now cover an area on the cooling fin about the size of a silver dollar. Took the bike to the local dealership and after paying a $150.00; I was told the bike was test ridden and there's nothing wrong. The brown stain is from the engine sweating. Now if it were an engine leak it would be fixed but "engine sweating" is acceptable to HD. Now if I want it "fixed" - so there is a cure; the price would be somewhere between $800-$850. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!
Since there is only 1 stealer....; I mean dealership in town, I am asking the forum members for their advice and input.
Thanks
Ride In Peace
I'm looking for assistance here to understand the situation that I am dealing with. I recently purchase a 103 cu inch, 2006 FLHTCUSE with 4800 miles. I've put about 200 miles on the bike and noticed a brown stain seemingly coming from the rocker cover above the rear spark plug. Was riding this past week-end and the stain "grew" to now cover an area on the cooling fin about the size of a silver dollar. Took the bike to the local dealership and after paying a $150.00; I was told the bike was test ridden and there's nothing wrong. The brown stain is from the engine sweating. Now if it were an engine leak it would be fixed but "engine sweating" is acceptable to HD. Now if I want it "fixed" - so there is a cure; the price would be somewhere between $800-$850. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!
Since there is only 1 stealer....; I mean dealership in town, I am asking the forum members for their advice and input.
Thanks
Ride In Peace
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 507
Likes: 1
From: Torrance, CA.
A 2006 with 4800 miles was ridden less than 1000 miles a year.
I would suggest that you clean the stain off and put about 10,000 miles on it this year. That's probably what it needs.
Get out and ride that thang......you'll know if you have an oil leak or not.
I would suggest that you clean the stain off and put about 10,000 miles on it this year. That's probably what it needs.
Get out and ride that thang......you'll know if you have an oil leak or not.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 1
From: South FL
It appears you have a leak. Replace one, or more gaskets will fix this problem.
Due to the low mileage, the bike may sits around long enough that some gaskets may be hardened, and broken the seal.
Of course, i am guessing!
The whole set of gasket cost less than $20, so you may get a manual, and fix it by yourself.
Good luck
Nick
Due to the low mileage, the bike may sits around long enough that some gaskets may be hardened, and broken the seal.
Of course, i am guessing!
The whole set of gasket cost less than $20, so you may get a manual, and fix it by yourself.
Good luck
Nick
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
$800 to fix a rocker box gasket is excessive.
Here's a little trick. Go to the hobby store and buy some clear model paint. Get your bike fully warmed up... as in ride for at least an hour. Clean the spot where the oil is leaking with alcohol and paint the seam with the model paint. Wipe off excess paint, repeat a few times. Let the engine cool, and don't fire it up for 24 hours.
When the engine cools it will suck some of the paint into the seam. Once it drys, the leak should stop.
That's old school shade tree technology at it's best.
Worse case is, you may still have to buy a new gasket, and get your hands dirty.
Here's a little trick. Go to the hobby store and buy some clear model paint. Get your bike fully warmed up... as in ride for at least an hour. Clean the spot where the oil is leaking with alcohol and paint the seam with the model paint. Wipe off excess paint, repeat a few times. Let the engine cool, and don't fire it up for 24 hours.
When the engine cools it will suck some of the paint into the seam. Once it drys, the leak should stop.
That's old school shade tree technology at it's best.
Worse case is, you may still have to buy a new gasket, and get your hands dirty.
Last edited by shooter5074; Apr 15, 2011 at 03:45 PM.
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