Source of leak/seep?!

**ChiefK** · 04-25-2015, 12:08 PM

When I took the bike out for it's spring cleaning, I noticed a buildup of "gunk" on the lower front part of the left side of the engine. It appears to have built up from the back forward. After degreasing, and going for a ride, there is a small seep.....not enough to even come close to a leak....that appears to be coming from between the cylinders at the base of the engine, deep in the "V". I've circled the small, inaccesible, silver "thingy" that it appears to be seeping from. Any idea what this is/does, and how concerned I should be? I've had no noticeable fluid loss after 5k miles.

Thank you!

macmac · 04-25-2015, 01:11 PM

On my 1600 that is a acorn nut, and it holds the jug to the engine case. I am about out the door but get a torque spec for that. next start the engine and go for a ride to full warm. before that area can cool loosen the nut a little bit. Wait for the engine to cool off and then tighten that nut to full spec. I find it hard to see how anything can leak from there but if you say so. What does the crud appear to be oil or coolant ? Oil may be dark and slimy, coolant dry should be white and powdery. Look up harder in case this came from UP somewhere.

**ChiefK** · 04-25-2015, 02:19 PM

It was definitely oil crud. My motorcycle mechanic was a bit perplexed. It appeared to be a long-term build up, that built up from the bottom-mid engine forward. His assumption is when the bike was warm and leaning on that side on the kick stand, it would slowly accumulate. Over a season of driving and not being too observant as to what was going on down there, it accumulated to the front of the engine.

macmac · 04-26-2015, 12:26 AM

You sure it wasn't road tar ? Oil doesn't really dry up unless it gets dust and sand in it.. I assume this has been cleaned too. I guess i would just keep a better eye on it for now, and maybe you should clean the bike a bit more often. Cleaning my bike allows me to find loose stuff, and correct them before i have a problem. The types of problems i get from my bike are my own fault, like leaving passing lamps on and going for a 3 hour beer break.

**ChiefK** · 04-26-2015, 06:46 AM

Thanks, Mac. You're correct about keeping it clean. That's the lesson I'm taking from this. I polish up the pretty stuff, and have ignored the important stuff. I won't let that happen again. Ride safe!

Jllm02199 · 04-28-2015, 03:58 PM

I had that problem on my 1500 motor. I took the nut off and put black silicone under it and re tightened.
fixed it.

boogieman · 05-31-2015, 10:21 PM

I have that problem now with my 2003 nomad 1500. The leak is coming from that acorn nut, and now it is leaking oil pretty good. Pretty tough to get to. Going to have to pay someone to remove the tank, throttle bodies, fuel injectors, and some other stuff to get to that nut.....pain in the a$$

04-25-2015, 01:11 PM	#2
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	On my 1600 that is a acorn nut, and it holds the jug to the engine case. I am about out the door but get a torque spec for that. next start the engine and go for a ride to full warm. before that area can cool loosen the nut a little bit. Wait for the engine to cool off and then tighten that nut to full spec. I find it hard to see how anything can leak from there but if you say so. What does the crud appear to be oil or coolant ? Oil may be dark and slimy, coolant dry should be white and powdery. Look up harder in case this came from UP somewhere. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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04-25-2015, 02:19 PM	#3
ChiefK Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 225	It was definitely oil crud. My motorcycle mechanic was a bit perplexed. It appeared to be a long-term build up, that built up from the bottom-mid engine forward. His assumption is when the bike was warm and leaning on that side on the kick stand, it would slowly accumulate. Over a season of driving and not being too observant as to what was going on down there, it accumulated to the front of the engine. __________________ Chief VBA # 02181 VROC# 35322 '01 Vulcan Nomad 1500 Fi '05 Yamaha V Star Classic 1100
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04-26-2015, 12:26 AM	#4
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	You sure it wasn't road tar ? Oil doesn't really dry up unless it gets dust and sand in it.. I assume this has been cleaned too. I guess i would just keep a better eye on it for now, and maybe you should clean the bike a bit more often. Cleaning my bike allows me to find loose stuff, and correct them before i have a problem. The types of problems i get from my bike are my own fault, like leaving passing lamps on and going for a 3 hour beer break. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

04-26-2015, 06:46 AM	#5
ChiefK Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 225	Thanks, Mac. You're correct about keeping it clean. That's the lesson I'm taking from this. I polish up the pretty stuff, and have ignored the important stuff. I won't let that happen again. Ride safe! __________________ Chief VBA # 02181 VROC# 35322 '01 Vulcan Nomad 1500 Fi '05 Yamaha V Star Classic 1100 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-28-2015, 03:58 PM	#6
Jllm02199 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Morrow, Ga. Posts: 830	I had that problem on my 1500 motor. I took the nut off and put black silicone under it and re tightened. fixed it. __________________ 02 1500 Nomad (07 1600 Motor) 160,000 Red & Black 12" mini apes Galfer lines (6' over) EJK Dobeck Reckless Fairing. Led H4 headlight All LED lights Rockford Fosgate radio
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05-31-2015, 10:21 PM	#7
boogieman Jr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 6	I have that problem now with my 2003 nomad 1500. The leak is coming from that acorn nut, and now it is leaking oil pretty good. Pretty tough to get to. Going to have to pay someone to remove the tank, throttle bodies, fuel injectors, and some other stuff to get to that nut.....pain in the a$$
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