Severe oil leakage

bikelover · 02-17-2010, 09:18 PM

Last weekend, in my way to Gainesville, FL, cruising at 85/90 mph, noticed oil coming up from the engine, hitting the bottom of the gas tank and my right arm, (right side of the bike only).
Haven't been able to pinpoint where the oil is coming out, question is, apart from the spark plugs pipes, any other place to check out? Anybody experienced this problem? TIA.

ndbigfish · 02-17-2010, 09:30 PM

Common oil leak spots are the rocket cover gaskets, cam plugs and spark plug tunnels. What year and mileage do you have? Was it motor oil?

bikelover · 02-17-2010, 09:37 PM

Hi there bigfish! My ride is a 99 carbed exactly like yours, with almost 36k, and yes positively motor oil leakage.

ndbigfish · 02-17-2010, 10:02 PM

I lost one of the rocker cover gaskets. I removed the motor to replace the rocker cover gaskets. I couldn't get the rocker covers off without extracting the motor. It took some basic hand tools, a torque wrench, a motorcycle jack and an automotive transmission jack. A factory service manual is a good reference tool also. It wasn't hard, but the bike was down for a couple weeks while I was waiting for parts after removal and evaluation. I replaced the banjo o-rings, HLA filters and everything else that looked worn or could possibly fail later. Some of the hoses and coolant overflow res. hose had wear too. I chose to leave the cam plugs alone. That was 8,000 miles ago and still good.

edit for spellin'

bikelover · 02-17-2010, 10:35 PM

Well, tomorrow morning I'll try again to locate the leak, this time I'll remove the gas tank and run the engine with an auxiliary tank,if there is no option and the motor has to be taken out the frame, I'll probably be doing the same you did and all gaskets, plugs and everything replaceable will be replaced; anyway the idea of take down the engine doesn't make me any happy at all!

**ringadingh** · 02-17-2010, 10:42 PM

Id try to find the source of the leak before you take out the motor, you may be able to fix the leak without removal.
If its really spraying oil Id suspect that the cam chain wore through the spark plug tube. You should be able to determine that in a minute or two.

bikelover · 02-17-2010, 11:32 PM

What should I use to remove the spark plugs tunnels?

**ringadingh** · 02-18-2010, 12:32 AM

There is a shallow hex cut in the top of the tubes, find a stamped steel socket from a tool kit, or find a large nut or bolt head that fits the hex and unscrew it.
You should be able to see if its leaking oil without removing it, by the mess it makes.

chuckster131 · 02-18-2010, 06:01 AM

I would say if it spraying ?? Than that would say its under pressure, so my guess would be the feeder line that connects to the jug and feeds oil to the top of the engine.

Hope you find the problem and it isn't a major deal. I have had my engine out the side to replace the cam plugs, not easy but can be done for sure.

ndbigfish · 02-18-2010, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

Id try to find the source of the leak before you take out the motor, you may be able to fix the leak without removal.
If its really spraying oil Id suspect that the cam chain wore through the spark plug tube. You should be able to determine that in a minute or two.

Very valuable advice to find the source of the leak prior to any disassembly. Then determine a plan of action to repair the cause. Kawasaki also sells a tool to remove the plug tubes. If I remember correctly it is less than $20. I spent more time and money trying to fabricate something to do the job. ::)

bikelover · 02-18-2010, 11:22 AM

Leakage spotted! Oil coming out from the rocker's cover gasket, right on the corner above the front exhaust pipe. Is it feasible to change the gasket w/o having to take the engine down? ??? Any trick? :(

**ringadingh** · 02-18-2010, 01:51 PM

If its the rocker gasket youll have to at least loosen everything and drop the motor a bit to gain access. Perhaps a good time to change the cam plugs as well.

ndbigfish · 02-18-2010, 02:15 PM

The gaskets are real thin in this area around the cam chain pockets in the heads. I oiled the new gaskets with ATF before installation to facilitate longer life. I personally could not find a way to get the covers off without removing the motor. I had no luck in just dropping the motor down either. I've lower the bike, so it has to go up to get a jack under it. I just blocked it under the rear running board brackets on top of two jack stands; as I had the rear end/swing arm out for service also. I'll be curious to hear if you can drop the motor down and gain access. I couldn't because it had to come forward away from the propeller shaft. The frame gusset covers most of the rear cover too.

**glwilson** · 02-18-2010, 02:37 PM

Oops!!!

...I thought I was on my Harley forum for a second there!!!

blowndodge · 02-18-2010, 03:11 PM

don't worry Greg. Your's will leak soon enough!!

02-17-2010, 09:18 PM	#1
bikelover Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami FL Posts: 26	Severe oil leakage Last weekend, in my way to Gainesville, FL, cruising at 85/90 mph, noticed oil coming up from the engine, hitting the bottom of the gas tank and my right arm, (right side of the bike only). Haven't been able to pinpoint where the oil is coming out, question is, apart from the spark plugs pipes, any other place to check out? Anybody experienced this problem? TIA. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-17-2010, 09:30 PM	#2
ndbigfish Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 1,162	Severe oil leakage Common oil leak spots are the rocket cover gaskets, cam plugs and spark plug tunnels. What year and mileage do you have? Was it motor oil? __________________ Brik VBA #1047 07 Electra Glide Ultra (43,300 & counting) 03 Nomad - 37,972 (traded 5/6/13) 99 Nomad - Only a memory since 4/27/13
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02-17-2010, 09:37 PM	#3
bikelover Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami FL Posts: 26	Severe oil leakage Hi there bigfish! My ride is a 99 carbed exactly like yours, with almost 36k, and yes positively motor oil leakage.
	0

02-17-2010, 10:02 PM	#4
ndbigfish Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 1,162	Severe oil leakage I lost one of the rocker cover gaskets. I removed the motor to replace the rocker cover gaskets. I couldn't get the rocker covers off without extracting the motor. It took some basic hand tools, a torque wrench, a motorcycle jack and an automotive transmission jack. A factory service manual is a good reference tool also. It wasn't hard, but the bike was down for a couple weeks while I was waiting for parts after removal and evaluation. I replaced the banjo o-rings, HLA filters and everything else that looked worn or could possibly fail later. Some of the hoses and coolant overflow res. hose had wear too. I chose to leave the cam plugs alone. That was 8,000 miles ago and still good. edit for spellin' __________________ Brik VBA #1047 07 Electra Glide Ultra (43,300 & counting) 03 Nomad - 37,972 (traded 5/6/13) 99 Nomad - Only a memory since 4/27/13
	0

02-17-2010, 10:35 PM	#5
bikelover Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami FL Posts: 26	Severe oil leakage Well, tomorrow morning I'll try again to locate the leak, this time I'll remove the gas tank and run the engine with an auxiliary tank,if there is no option and the motor has to be taken out the frame, I'll probably be doing the same you did and all gaskets, plugs and everything replaceable will be replaced; anyway the idea of take down the engine doesn't make me any happy at all! Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-17-2010, 10:42 PM	#6
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Severe oil leakage Id try to find the source of the leak before you take out the motor, you may be able to fix the leak without removal. If its really spraying oil Id suspect that the cam chain wore through the spark plug tube. You should be able to determine that in a minute or two. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

02-17-2010, 11:32 PM	#7
bikelover Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami FL Posts: 26	Severe oil leakage What should I use to remove the spark plugs tunnels?
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02-18-2010, 12:32 AM	#8
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Severe oil leakage There is a shallow hex cut in the top of the tubes, find a stamped steel socket from a tool kit, or find a large nut or bolt head that fits the hex and unscrew it. You should be able to see if its leaking oil without removing it, by the mess it makes. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

02-18-2010, 06:01 AM	#9
chuckster131 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Jackson, Michigan Posts: 1,367	Severe oil leakage I would say if it spraying ?? Than that would say its under pressure, so my guess would be the feeder line that connects to the jug and feeds oil to the top of the engine. Hope you find the problem and it isn't a major deal. I have had my engine out the side to replace the cam plugs, not easy but can be done for sure. __________________ Joe (Chuckster) Norris Jackson, Michigan 2007 Goldwing 2010 Voyager (Blue/Silver)sold 2001 Nomad (gone, but not forgotten) www.chucksterscustoms.com
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02-18-2010, 11:22 AM	#11
bikelover Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami FL Posts: 26	Severe oil leakage Leakage spotted! Oil coming out from the rocker's cover gasket, right on the corner above the front exhaust pipe. Is it feasible to change the gasket w/o having to take the engine down? ??? Any trick? :(
	0

02-18-2010, 01:51 PM	#12
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Severe oil leakage If its the rocker gasket youll have to at least loosen everything and drop the motor a bit to gain access. Perhaps a good time to change the cam plugs as well. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

02-18-2010, 02:15 PM	#13
ndbigfish Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 1,162	Severe oil leakage The gaskets are real thin in this area around the cam chain pockets in the heads. I oiled the new gaskets with ATF before installation to facilitate longer life. I personally could not find a way to get the covers off without removing the motor. I had no luck in just dropping the motor down either. I've lower the bike, so it has to go up to get a jack under it. I just blocked it under the rear running board brackets on top of two jack stands; as I had the rear end/swing arm out for service also. I'll be curious to hear if you can drop the motor down and gain access. I couldn't because it had to come forward away from the propeller shaft. The frame gusset covers most of the rear cover too. __________________ Brik VBA #1047 07 Electra Glide Ultra (43,300 & counting) 03 Nomad - 37,972 (traded 5/6/13) 99 Nomad - Only a memory since 4/27/13
	0

02-18-2010, 02:37 PM	#14
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Severe oil leakage Oops!!! ...I thought I was on my Harley forum for a second there!!! __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
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02-18-2010, 03:11 PM	#15
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Severe oil leakage don't worry Greg. Your's will leak soon enough!! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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