Starter leaking... help
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 52
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From: Ma
Starter leaking... help
rebuilt the starter on my 2007 streetglide this past summer and ever since it has been leaking primary fluid while running.
i first put the starter back in with the old o ring gasket and it leaked pretty bad after the first ride. so i pulled it back apart and replaced it with a new o ring and took it for another ride and it still leaked. so now cunfused i pull it apart again and inspect for cracks or nicks and relize that i had lost one of the dowel spacers that hold in in place. so i put in new dowel spacers and a new o ring and it has now slowed down the leak but it still leaks.
i have no idea what it could be. dont wana spend 400 dollars on a newstarter if thats not the issue. has anyone ever experienced anything like this?
i first put the starter back in with the old o ring gasket and it leaked pretty bad after the first ride. so i pulled it back apart and replaced it with a new o ring and took it for another ride and it still leaked. so now cunfused i pull it apart again and inspect for cracks or nicks and relize that i had lost one of the dowel spacers that hold in in place. so i put in new dowel spacers and a new o ring and it has now slowed down the leak but it still leaks.
i have no idea what it could be. dont wana spend 400 dollars on a newstarter if thats not the issue. has anyone ever experienced anything like this?
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 37
From: Monroe, Louisiana
I pulled the starter on a 2012 and it had some sort of sealant around the o ring area. Not sure what it was. Looked like a liquid plumbers putty of some sort. Light brown in color. I looked in the service manual and it doesn't say to put any sealant on it. It did say it had o rings inside the starter so that maybe where it is coming from. Didn't see an exploded view so don't know where they are. You have to disassemble the starter to get to them. I would put a light film of black silicone between the starter and the o ring and on the flange area and try that.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 32,851
Likes: 17,888
From: Newcastle, OK
I pulled the starter on a 2012 and it had some sort of sealant around the o ring area. Not sure what it was. Looked like a liquid plumbers putty of some sort. Light brown in color. I looked in the service manual and it doesn't say to put any sealant on it. It did say it had o rings inside the starter so that maybe where it is coming from. Didn't see an exploded view so don't know where they are. You have to disassemble the starter to get to them. I would put a light film of black silicone between the starter and the o ring and on the flange area and try that.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
it's not really a "high heat" area. I have used silicone for many, many years to lightly coat various gaskets ( careful on o2 sensor machines).
OP, take the time to look over your work again, make sure no old gasket/seals etc is in the way, check that your dowels are not holding the starter from closing the gap.
if unsure of the xact source of the seep, spray drugstore foot powder on the area, that'll show you where the problem lies..
mike
OP, take the time to look over your work again, make sure no old gasket/seals etc is in the way, check that your dowels are not holding the starter from closing the gap.
if unsure of the xact source of the seep, spray drugstore foot powder on the area, that'll show you where the problem lies..
mike
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 32,851
Likes: 17,888
From: Newcastle, OK
it's not really a "high heat" area. I have used silicone for many, many years to lightly coat various gaskets ( careful on o2 sensor machines).
OP, take the time to look over your work again, make sure no old gasket/seals etc is in the way, check that your dowels are not holding the starter from closing the gap.
if unsure of the xact source of the seep, spray drugstore foot powder on the area, that'll show you where the problem lies..
mike
OP, take the time to look over your work again, make sure no old gasket/seals etc is in the way, check that your dowels are not holding the starter from closing the gap.
if unsure of the xact source of the seep, spray drugstore foot powder on the area, that'll show you where the problem lies..
mike
No need for the High Temp Red Silicone, get the Permatex Ultra Grey Rigid High-Torque RTV Silicone Gasket Maker, that's what I use in the shop, I've sealed many oil pans to blocks with it and everything else on an engine, many Automotive Manufacturers use this in the factory, so I know it will hold up with no problem!
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
I guess the first question is, where is it leaking?? If it is where the housing goes into the primary, some sealer should fix it. There are also 3 o-rings on the other side on the starter?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,940
Likes: 296
From: Wyoming
This is a good call. The brown stuff one other poster mentioned was probably this. Molykote 55 is a great o-ring lubricant.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 71
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orings
I know there are two orings in the starter. As I replaced the starter drive in my 07 road glide a couple of years ago. And found out the hard way on my way to bike week in daytona when it started leaking primary fluid.
I tore it apart at the hd dealer's parking lot in Savannah,ga. Anyway, I had replaced the outer oring, that goes on the nose of the starter, but had overlooked replacing the oring inside the starter ,from memory it is an oring that the bearing on the starter drive seals against. That is where mine was leaking from...replaced that one and leak was cured.
hope this helps............
I tore it apart at the hd dealer's parking lot in Savannah,ga. Anyway, I had replaced the outer oring, that goes on the nose of the starter, but had overlooked replacing the oring inside the starter ,from memory it is an oring that the bearing on the starter drive seals against. That is where mine was leaking from...replaced that one and leak was cured.
hope this helps............