Gooping from the air cleaner, possible fix?
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
You could get an air cleaner breather setup like this. http://www.debrix.com/Sifton-Braided...FQSCQgod2kwAqQ
Banned
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 134
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, Fl
I have that S&S air cleaner.Got it because I love the old school look. As far as the oil blow-by goes, I run a rag between the filter and the inside lip of the cover about once every 2 weeks and that takes care of it. Bike is ridden every day.
Last edited by NPW; Jun 25, 2013 at 07:25 PM. Reason: screw up
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 516
Likes: 30
From: SoCal/Show Low, Az
Shop called today and there is a 20% leakdown on the rear cylinder. New on ordred and will be here soon. I'm not a mechanic but I have worked on many engines over the years but I don't think this would be causing the venting issue.
After hours of searching the net, talking with HD mechanics and some indy mechanics I think it is simply a flaw in the design of the backing plate.
After hours of searching the net, talking with HD mechanics and some indy mechanics I think it is simply a flaw in the design of the backing plate.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
Shop called today and there is a 20% leakdown on the rear cylinder. New on ordred and will be here soon. I'm not a mechanic but I have worked on many engines over the years but I don't think this would be causing the venting issue.
After hours of searching the net, talking with HD mechanics and some indy mechanics I think it is simply a flaw in the design of the backing plate.
After hours of searching the net, talking with HD mechanics and some indy mechanics I think it is simply a flaw in the design of the backing plate.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
From: Yakima WA
Shop called today and there is a 20% leakdown on the rear cylinder. New on ordred and will be here soon. I'm not a mechanic but I have worked on many engines over the years but I don't think this would be causing the venting issue.
After hours of searching the net, talking with HD mechanics and some indy mechanics I think it is simply a flaw in the design of the backing plate.
After hours of searching the net, talking with HD mechanics and some indy mechanics I think it is simply a flaw in the design of the backing plate.
Another problems that Twin cams face is the oil drains in the heads are a little undersized. On my stage II 103 when it was apart for the build the builder slightly enlarged the drains to help relieve some of the oil that pools in the heads when running hard. When building the SE 120R in my 06 dyna, we checked the heads and that engine came from the factory with the oil drains slightly enlarged.
This problem really started back in the late 70's / early 80's when Harley started running the breather into the air cleaner, the "misting" of oil out of the air cleaner when running hard down the road actually seemed to have started then. The "fix" in those days was to return the breather to how it was for years, just venting below the bike into atmosphere. It seemed to work very well as there never seemed to be much oil drippage accumulate when the breather vented without restriction. I never noticed any oil accumulation under the bike save for the occasional single drop that would finally accumulate on the breather hose. Seems as we have gotten more eco friendly (not venting breather to atmosphere) the problem with misting has increased.
Last edited by Inspector 12; Jun 27, 2013 at 07:55 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 42
From: AZ
I know many of us are or have been experiencing the dreaded oil dumping on the engine from the air filter. I have had my bike into the dealer for this problem more than once. In fact, my buddies bike has it way worse than mine and after several different tries to fix it they completely tore his engine apart looking for the problem. They found nothing internally that would cause it to be happening.
According not only the dealer but from HDMC, they have no idea what may be causing the leakage but have finally admitted there is a problem. The mechanic at his dealership is a 17yr HD mechanic and knows the engines pretty well. He (and his bosses) believe it is a design flaw with the SE backing plate for the Stage 1 air cleaners. His mechanic told him a couple of the customers have changed to the S&S a/f shown below and it has eliminated the gooping all over the engine.
My question to you guys is this...do any of you have personal experience with this air cleaner and if so, does it eliminate the gooping?
Thanks in advance.
According not only the dealer but from HDMC, they have no idea what may be causing the leakage but have finally admitted there is a problem. The mechanic at his dealership is a 17yr HD mechanic and knows the engines pretty well. He (and his bosses) believe it is a design flaw with the SE backing plate for the Stage 1 air cleaners. His mechanic told him a couple of the customers have changed to the S&S a/f shown below and it has eliminated the gooping all over the engine.
My question to you guys is this...do any of you have personal experience with this air cleaner and if so, does it eliminate the gooping?
Thanks in advance.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
From: SE TN
Crankcase breather options are out there including homemade stuff. DK Custom Products has 2 setups, breather bolts and a complete breather system. The goal is to keep the hot oil and air from entering your intake. http://dkcustomproducts.com/All-Twin...ngines_c76.htm
I have the breather bolts. I do get a little bit of oil mist, but it cleans up in a few seconds with a microfiber and quick detailer. I'd rather have it vent to atmosphere then put it back into the intake.
I have the breather bolts. I do get a little bit of oil mist, but it cleans up in a few seconds with a microfiber and quick detailer. I'd rather have it vent to atmosphere then put it back into the intake.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
Crankcase breather options are out there including homemade stuff. DK Custom Products has 2 setups, breather bolts and a complete breather system. The goal is to keep the hot oil and air from entering your intake. http://dkcustomproducts.com/All-Twin...ngines_c76.htm
I have the breather bolts. I do get a little bit of oil mist, but it cleans up in a few seconds with a microfiber and quick detailer. I'd rather have it vent to atmosphere then put it back into the intake.
I have the breather bolts. I do get a little bit of oil mist, but it cleans up in a few seconds with a microfiber and quick detailer. I'd rather have it vent to atmosphere then put it back into the intake.
Someone posted this set up a few days ago and I ordered it yesterday. Low profile and one outlet to the ground. It should suit my purposes fine.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130427528712
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 518
Likes: 8
From: Biloxi Ms
All my young life (40 years of breathing + another 10 from the 80s. Wow that was a fun time!) I have always been taught that oil levels should be halfway between add and full on any machine. Why does everyone state that the oil should be at the full mark and that it would hurt the engine if not? Just asking cause i feel like i missed something somewhere. oh wait maybe when my brain was on vacation in the 80s 