Home

Oil leak on rear cylinder

Oil leak on rear cylinder

leachy
3 years ago

So went for a long run today down sth Wollongong area. On the way home got stuck in traffic and things got really hot, hottest I've felt the engine. Just checking things over when I got home and noticed this oil leak. Bike only has 7750km on it.
Any options if this will be an ongoing issue now, bit disappointed.

Far Canal
3 years ago

It does not look catastrophic.
Just monitor it.
Clean the leak area with a bit of degreaser and see if it continues.
If it makes you feel any better, I had a similar leak on my front cylinder and it stopped by itself several years ago and has not come back.

Wideglider
3 years ago

Is that an Evo? Oil leak at the base gasket is a well known issue - more frequently on the rear cylinder (because it runs hotter than the front).

leachy
3 years ago

No its a twin cam

leachy
3 years ago

Quoting Far Canal on 26 Feb 2021 09:12 AM
It does not look catastrophic.
Just monitor it.
Clean the leak area with a bit of degreaser and see if it continues.
If it makes you feel any better, I had a similar leak on my front cylinder and it stopped by itself several years ago and has not come back.

Its still under warranty so I'll get it looked at. I'm assuming it's expensive to fix otherwise.

Krash Kinkade
3 years ago

Wideglider , when Evo was new the owners used to think only the older model Harleys leaked oil. the fact is if build right non of them leak.

Leachy when you hit heavy traffic , did you split the lanes & keep riding or stay behind cars and truck's, stopped? could have come through the casting as it got very hot & expanded. I would clean it & just keep an eye on it.

leachy likes this post

Wideglider
3 years ago

Quoting Krash Kinkade on 27 Feb 2021 12:30 AMedited: 27 Feb 2021 12:31 AM
Wideglider , when Evo was new the owners used to think only the older model Harleys leaked oil. the fact is if build right non of them leak.

Leachy when you hit heavy traffic , did you split the lanes & keep riding or stay behind cars and truck's, stopped? could have come through the casting as it got very hot & expanded. I would clean it & just keep an eye on it.

Fair enough Krash, but then you'd have to say that a good percentage of Evo's weren't built right from the factory.

Far Canal
3 years ago

Quoting Far Canal on 26 Feb 2021 09:12 AM
It does not look catastrophic.
Just monitor it.
Clean the leak area with a bit of degreaser and see if it continues.
If it makes you feel any better, I had a similar leak on my front cylinder and it stopped by itself several years ago and has not come back.

Quoting leachy on 26 Feb 2021 11:38 AM
Its still under warranty so I'll get it looked at. I'm assuming it's expensive to fix otherwise.

If you can get it fixed under warranty then you would be mad not to.
My twin cam started leaking oil from between the crankcase joint from brand new.
Engine had to come out, crankcase halves separated, new goop put on the mating surfaces, and re-assemble the whole lot. A huge job, but that is what warranty is for and thankfully it was covered.

Krackers60 likes this post

Ratbob
3 years ago

Might just need a retourque.

leachy
3 years ago

So visited Harley today and an oil leak is not a warranty item, interesting to know. Apparently its can happen under extreme temps and running a cam the engine can get pretty hot and they can weep in that area. I cleaned it all off and went for an 80km ride yesterday afternoon and it didn't seem to weep, maybe it needs a longer ride. Seeing its an o-ring it may reseal itself. I guess time will tell.

The other thing they said was if I want to keep the bike long term they generally have performance kits sale in May so there's an option, I just laughed.

Thanks for the input but Ill be keeping an eye on it.

Regards
Leachy

Wideglider
3 years ago

The dealer told you it is leaking at an O-ring and
not at a gasket? Which O-ring is it?

Ratbob
3 years ago

Oil leak not covered?
Unless you’ve modified that part of the engine it’s bullshit.
If it’s been modded, 110 barrels or something, (don’t know the bike) and the dealer in question did the mods for you, it’s double bullshit.
Warranty can be claimed at any Harley dealer, go elsewhere and never return.

Far Canal likes this post

John.R
3 years ago

Quoting Wideglider on 01 Mar 2021 07:08 AM
The dealer told you it is leaking at an O-ring and
not at a gasket? Which O-ring is it?

Presumably the base cylinder o-ring where it's leaking.

leachy
3 years ago

The bike has extended warranty so its in the period. It specifically says that oil leaks are not covered. Its the o-ring under the barrels that must be weeping. Ill be taking it to Jindabyne in about 2 weeks and through the high country so Ill se how it goes. Hopefully it being an o-ring it may reseal. The only modifications to the engine are Cam and stage 2 tune SE tuner.

Ill let you know how it progresses.

Leachy

Krash Kinkade
3 years ago

leachy , I never noticed oil leaks, when I had a twin cam. so hope turns out ok.

sounds like a con job to me ( no oil leak cover in warranty).

Hoodeng
3 years ago

The dealer is right, cylinder base o rings [2 per cyl] can weep under abnormal temp situations. What can happen is that when the cylinder is installed with o ring fitting installation oil, this oil can be trapped on the outside of the o ring, this is what is weeping to the outer edge as there is no other sealing media apart from metal to metal. It will show as more of a smear than a leak but will show up even more if dust gets on it, back left corner of rear and front left corner of front cylinders is the most likely to show.
I have seen enough of these over the years, on disassembly, the o rings [drain or spigot] are found to be wet, but with no damage to the ring nor are there damaged counter bores or base surfaces.
I drown those rings in oil on installation. Wipe it clean and monitor.

leachy and steelo like this post

Ratbob
3 years ago

Quoting leachy on 01 Mar 2021 09:52 PM
The bike has extended warranty so its in the period. It specifically says that oil leaks are not covered. Its the o-ring under the barrels that must be weeping. Ill be taking it to Jindabyne in about 2 weeks and through the high country so Ill se how it goes. Hopefully it being an o-ring it may reseal. The only modifications to the engine are Cam and stage 2 tune SE tuner.

Ill let you know how it progresses.

Leachy

Ah, ok it’s an extended warranty, not worth much those things.
I’m a right dummass thinking it would be manufacturer for a Twin Cam.
I looked into one, doco said the transmission case was covered and thinking that was oddly worded I called the insurer who confirmed that was it, just the trans case, not the gaskets, gears, selectors etc. Didn’t bother reading further.
Hope yours gives better coverage.

steelo
3 years ago

I've got a good feeling about it. Give it a clean. See how it goes. Don't ride on hot days.

leachy
3 years ago

Ill see how it goes on the long run this time next week to Jindabyne and then a week in the VIC high country. It will be pretty easy riding and lower temps so Ill see it was just a one off, extreme high temp thing.

But looked at again last night just to see if anything further had wept out from Sundays ride and there was nothing further.

Ill keep you posted.

leachy
3 years ago

So update after close to 3000km's. It appears to be somewhat less than what it was leaking, although its still seems a little moist, possibly still a little bit of residual weep, but nothing like it was originally.

About |
Privacy Policy |
Terms of Use
© 2024, v3.1.0