Prevent an oil leak
Prevent an oil leak
So my 2011 RKC started to leak from the main seal. Took it to the dealer for a warranty fix. They found the cause, and they said it is rare, but easy to prevent.
The two bolts under the engine that hold the left side exhaust had come loose. This allowed the exhaust to vibrate under the engine, and the excess vibration caused the seal to leak. Before you run into this, pull the two bolts and throw a little lock-tite on them. This will prevent the issue. Dealer said they have only seen it happen a few times, but an ounce of prevention and all that...
The two bolts under the engine that hold the left side exhaust had come loose. This allowed the exhaust to vibrate under the engine, and the excess vibration caused the seal to leak. Before you run into this, pull the two bolts and throw a little lock-tite on them. This will prevent the issue. Dealer said they have only seen it happen a few times, but an ounce of prevention and all that...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Is the exhaust system on the RKC the same as an Ultra Limited (2-1-2)?
I think it is but I'm not certain. My questions are based upon the assumption that they are the same. If not, please disregard.
What "main seal" are you referring to? The only brackets holding the exhaust on my Limited are on the right side, not the left, and the crossover bracket underneath and centered. When the right side bracket bolts loosen up the transmission will leak between the trans case and the bearing housing. Is this the "seal" and the leak you are referring to?
I think it is but I'm not certain. My questions are based upon the assumption that they are the same. If not, please disregard.
What "main seal" are you referring to? The only brackets holding the exhaust on my Limited are on the right side, not the left, and the crossover bracket underneath and centered. When the right side bracket bolts loosen up the transmission will leak between the trans case and the bearing housing. Is this the "seal" and the leak you are referring to?
Last edited by 2black1s; May 18, 2012 at 01:51 PM.
That is one of the seals, and the one on mine that had the issue. The other is what the tech referred to as the "main" seal. I assume it is the "main" housing seal between the trans pan and trans housing.
I'm not sure how the Limited is set up, but on the RKC, after the crossover, the pipe runs under the engine. The section of pipe is actually flat and has two mounting bolts that pass through the pipe and into the engine housing. These were the bolts that had worked loose. I haven't installed my aftermarket exhaust yet, so I don't know if that will change the mounting, but that is how it is on the stocker.
I'm not sure how the Limited is set up, but on the RKC, after the crossover, the pipe runs under the engine. The section of pipe is actually flat and has two mounting bolts that pass through the pipe and into the engine housing. These were the bolts that had worked loose. I haven't installed my aftermarket exhaust yet, so I don't know if that will change the mounting, but that is how it is on the stocker.
Last edited by punisher660; May 18, 2012 at 01:22 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
I think we're losing a little clarity in the translation (from the tech to you, and then from you to this thread) here.
The two bolts that hold the crossover pipe bracket do not pass through the crossover pipe and they screw into the rear of the transmission case, not the engine. Nonetheless, I think I know which two bolts you're talking about. If we are talking about the same two bolts, I don't see any way that they could be the cause of an oil leak.
Now the two bolts on the right side that hold the exhaust bracket to the transmission, those will cause a leak if loose.
I guess none of that really matters. As long as your leak is fixed that is what counts. And the main point of this thread - awareness of loose fasteners - is a good one not only for the problem you experienced, but also across the board.
EDIT: Now that I see the picture you added, I can assure you that the two bolts that loosened up and caused the leak are the the ones holding the right side bracket to the transmission, which allowed the trans oil to leak between the case and the bearing housing. This is actually a common issue. The other two bolts holding the crossover bracket to the trans case, even if loosened, would not cause an oil leak regardless of what the dealer tech told you (or what you thought the tech told you).
The two bolts that hold the crossover pipe bracket do not pass through the crossover pipe and they screw into the rear of the transmission case, not the engine. Nonetheless, I think I know which two bolts you're talking about. If we are talking about the same two bolts, I don't see any way that they could be the cause of an oil leak.
Now the two bolts on the right side that hold the exhaust bracket to the transmission, those will cause a leak if loose.
I guess none of that really matters. As long as your leak is fixed that is what counts. And the main point of this thread - awareness of loose fasteners - is a good one not only for the problem you experienced, but also across the board.
EDIT: Now that I see the picture you added, I can assure you that the two bolts that loosened up and caused the leak are the the ones holding the right side bracket to the transmission, which allowed the trans oil to leak between the case and the bearing housing. This is actually a common issue. The other two bolts holding the crossover bracket to the trans case, even if loosened, would not cause an oil leak regardless of what the dealer tech told you (or what you thought the tech told you).
Last edited by 2black1s; May 18, 2012 at 02:00 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
this has been discussed a number of times on the forums.
and is common to all touring series.
the torque spec has been changed to 25 ft lbs for those "trap door" ( tranny end cover) bolts.
most of the bolts are easy to get to with the header in place, the lower bolts which hold the exhaust bracket can be tightened by sticking a 1/4" drive screwdriver bit into the allen head ( butt first) and tightening with a a small open end wrench - torque to a "feel"--- after torquing the accessible bolts with a torque wrench, use the wrench/bit combo, to get a feel for how much force is about 25 ft lbs.
( or you can cut a piece off the end of an allen wrench about 5/8" long, however cutting the wrench may destroy it's hardening
any of these bolts which can be backed out and lock tite applied to the threads do so. those that can't paint clear nail polish on the heads to help them resist backing out with vibration
of course, the fluid leaking is tranny fluid, not motor oil
mike
and is common to all touring series.
the torque spec has been changed to 25 ft lbs for those "trap door" ( tranny end cover) bolts.
most of the bolts are easy to get to with the header in place, the lower bolts which hold the exhaust bracket can be tightened by sticking a 1/4" drive screwdriver bit into the allen head ( butt first) and tightening with a a small open end wrench - torque to a "feel"--- after torquing the accessible bolts with a torque wrench, use the wrench/bit combo, to get a feel for how much force is about 25 ft lbs.
( or you can cut a piece off the end of an allen wrench about 5/8" long, however cutting the wrench may destroy it's hardening
any of these bolts which can be backed out and lock tite applied to the threads do so. those that can't paint clear nail polish on the heads to help them resist backing out with vibration
of course, the fluid leaking is tranny fluid, not motor oil
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; May 18, 2012 at 01:54 PM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
Yep, this just happened to me. No exhaust rattle, but the seepage blew all over the bottom of the bike, even forward of the leak.
After cleaning it, the oil would leak down onto the frame crossmember and travel to the left (kickstand) side of the bike. On the jackstand, it would obscure where the leak was coming from.
Sure enough, the bolts backed out for the exhaust bracket. Weird.
After cleaning it, the oil would leak down onto the frame crossmember and travel to the left (kickstand) side of the bike. On the jackstand, it would obscure where the leak was coming from.
Sure enough, the bolts backed out for the exhaust bracket. Weird.
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