oil leak

boogieman · 05-24-2015, 09:23 PM

Just bought a new to me 2003 vulcan nomad 1500 with 13300 miles. Noticed oil on the front cylinder, on the left side while sitting on bike. Oil is around cylinder base gasket. The bike was over filled with oil, and originally thought it was coming from the breather. I tighened the clamp, drained the extra oil, cleaned off the oil on the cylinder. Rode again today, and oil seems to leak worse now, left side of front cylinder while sitting on bike right where cylinder base gasket is. Couldn't find any info on anyone having a head gasket issue, only could find info on rear cylinder oil leaks from cam plugs or valve cover gaskets. Hoping it is simpler than I think it is. Any input would be appreciated!!

**MAS Tequila** · 05-25-2015, 06:39 AM

Clean it really good and see how long it continues to appear.

It could just be residual from the overfilling.

Did you check the hose from low on the front, where the breather attaches?

MT

**ringadingh** · 05-25-2015, 06:39 AM

It could also be coming out of the plastic cam plug at the top of the cylinder. If its the base gasket, try snugging the bolts down a bit.

boogieman · 05-25-2015, 07:54 AM

I checked the breather tube as I originally thought that's where it came from. There isn't any oil higher than that, that I can see so I didn't think it was the cam plug. Seems to leak more that I cleaned it up. Its only on the left side of cylinder. Guess I will have to clean it up again, ride it and see

macmac · 05-25-2015, 10:13 AM

Try rubbing the roughly area with a bar of Ivory Soap, getting it into gasket edges and any other openings where you see oil.

dgconstable · 05-26-2015, 09:58 AM

My 03 has leaked in that same place since I bought it.

I just wash it off and away you go. Oh, and keep an eye on your oil level.

On occasion when it gets real dirty it will blow back and run across the air clearer which looks kinda gross.

boogieman · 05-27-2015, 08:21 PM

It is coming from a cylinder head bolt between the 2 cylinders. Saw it bubbling out. Had to remove the air cleaner to see it. Need to remove tank and a few other things to get to it. Should I remove it, clean it up, put high temp rtv on the threads, and bottom of bolt head, and snug it down?

**cnc** · 05-27-2015, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogieman

It is coming from a cylinder head bolt between the 2 cylinders. Saw it bubbling out. Had to remove the air cleaner to see it. Need to remove tank and a few other things to get to it. Should I remove it, clean it up, put high temp rtv on the threads, and bottom of bolt head, and snug it down?

Try tourqing it down to the specs first, it may not be seated fully.

05-24-2015, 09:23 PM	#1
boogieman Jr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 6	oil leak Just bought a new to me 2003 vulcan nomad 1500 with 13300 miles. Noticed oil on the front cylinder, on the left side while sitting on bike. Oil is around cylinder base gasket. The bike was over filled with oil, and originally thought it was coming from the breather. I tighened the clamp, drained the extra oil, cleaned off the oil on the cylinder. Rode again today, and oil seems to leak worse now, left side of front cylinder while sitting on bike right where cylinder base gasket is. Couldn't find any info on anyone having a head gasket issue, only could find info on rear cylinder oil leaks from cam plugs or valve cover gaskets. Hoping it is simpler than I think it is. Any input would be appreciated!! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-25-2015, 06:39 AM	#2
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	Clean it really good and see how long it continues to appear. It could just be residual from the overfilling. Did you check the hose from low on the front, where the breather attaches? MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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05-25-2015, 06:39 AM	#3
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	It could also be coming out of the plastic cam plug at the top of the cylinder. If its the base gasket, try snugging the bolts down a bit. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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05-25-2015, 10:13 AM	#5
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Try rubbing the roughly area with a bar of Ivory Soap, getting it into gasket edges and any other openings where you see oil. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-25-2015, 07:54 AM	#4
boogieman Jr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 6	I checked the breather tube as I originally thought that's where it came from. There isn't any oil higher than that, that I can see so I didn't think it was the cam plug. Seems to leak more that I cleaned it up. Its only on the left side of cylinder. Guess I will have to clean it up again, ride it and see
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05-26-2015, 09:58 AM	#6
dgconstable Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: PEI, CANADA Posts: 351	My 03 has leaked in that same place since I bought it. I just wash it off and away you go. Oh, and keep an eye on your oil level. On occasion when it gets real dirty it will blow back and run across the air clearer which looks kinda gross.
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05-27-2015, 08:21 PM	#7
boogieman Jr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 6	It is coming from a cylinder head bolt between the 2 cylinders. Saw it bubbling out. Had to remove the air cleaner to see it. Need to remove tank and a few other things to get to it. Should I remove it, clean it up, put high temp rtv on the threads, and bottom of bolt head, and snug it down?
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