Primary Leak

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Jan 4, 2013 | 03:58 PM

#11

arlinsg

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 638

Likes: 132

If he is using gear oil in his transmission, give the leaking oil a good sniff.
You'll be able to tell if it's coming from the inner or outer by the smell.

Jan 4, 2013 | 08:17 PM

#12

djl

HDF Community Team

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 12,774

Likes: 2,606

From: san antonio

A leak from the outer primary will be continuous as will transmission leaks until the fluid level drops to below the mainshaft. A leak from the inner primary will leak after a ride for a while and then stop; this leak will leave a spot the size of a half dollar or quarter before stopping.

It is unusual for the outer primarg gasket or drain plug to suddenly start leaking; just doesn't happen. Those gaskets are intened to go on dry; Yamabond, silicone sealant, shellac, etc. are not required. You should consider expanding the search for the source of the leak as has been suggested.

Time to pull the inner primary and check for leaks; check the shifter shaft seal, mainshaft seal, quad ring and mainshaft/5th gear seal. It is very common on the early models for the inner primary bearing to "walk" in on the mainshaft/5th gear seal causing a leak. If you replace one seal behind the inner primary; replace them all. If you don't find anything while in there, replace the IPB seal in the inner primary housing. I will be a six pack you find the leak.

Last edited by djl; Jan 5, 2013 at 10:46 AM.

Jan 4, 2013 | 08:32 PM

#13

Rootro

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 1,590

Likes: 2

From: North Carolina

You can buy a new inner and outer primary cover for about $500 if all else fails.

Jan 4, 2013 | 08:57 PM

#14

ShadowMonster

Tourer

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 303

Likes: 0

From: ontario, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by arlinsg

If he is using gear oil in his transmission, give the leaking oil a good sniff.
You'll be able to tell if it's coming from the inner or outer by the smell.

I would bet shifter shaft leak, unfortunately not an easy fix for a 35 cent seal........

Last edited by ShadowMonster; Jan 4, 2013 at 08:59 PM.

Jan 4, 2013 | 09:19 PM

#15

bagman1

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 4,999

Likes: 55

From: Bay Area

Another thing to consider the bike is 8 years old, and without knowing the life of the bike (IE: over torqued bolts/plug, methods used in cleaning mating surfaces, and the extremity of hot/cold cycles, not to mention if something ever grenaded inside that may have created a stress fracture.) I would say its safe to figure on taking it all down and replace the seals and have the mating surfaces checked. Doesnt the 05's still use the round gasket in the center of the cover at the inspection cover bolts? If so this cold be where it maybe coming from.

Jan 5, 2013 | 06:54 AM

#16

Stew Pidaso

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 1,012

Likes: 5

From: N.W. Illinois Stephenson County

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesw

Sounds like an inner primary bearing seal leak.

That often runs down the back of the inner primary, and runs to the low point to drip, and looks like a leak from the outer primary.

+1 . This was the problem I had with my '09 SG. Drove me batty until I took it to my Indy. Was primary out put main bearing.

Jan 5, 2013 | 08:18 AM

#17

jus2anoyu

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 2,090

Likes: 7

If someone overtightened the drain plug, the primary cover may be cracked. Good used ones can be had on eBay for a few bucks. That would be my next move given the information...

Jan 6, 2013 | 09:19 PM

#18

Watchfuliz

Road Captain

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 716

Likes: 10

From: Shreveport,La

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streetrunner

I just had a similar problem fixed. The oil was leaking from the shifter arm which made it look like it was coming from the primary. This is a very common leak.

+1 on shifter shaft seal. That is a common problem.