Discovered an oil leak!

psychocycle · 10-19-2010, 01:38 PM

I just discovered a small oil leak between the heads. I have cleaned it up to see if I can determine the source. But I have read in previous posts that if the cam chain tensioner runs out of travel that the chain can slap and over time put holes in the spark plug tube. If that was to happen where would the oil leak from? And how do you check these tubes for damage. Last night I checked the travel on the cam chain tensioner and found that I'm out of travel which blows me away at only 34,000 kilometers. ??? I have ordered the extenders, o-rings and gaskets from the dealer and they should be in by this weekend, so I will hopefully have this part of the job done on Saturday. Thanks for your help.

cactusjack · 10-19-2010, 02:03 PM

If the cam chain ate through the spark plug tube, then oil would fill up the spark plug tube and spill over onto the outside of the head, I would guess.

ndbigfish · 10-19-2010, 02:15 PM

Look at the base gaskets. Just got done fixing those. Prior owner did not believe in warming the motor up before heading out.

psychocycle · 10-19-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndbigfish

Look at the base gaskets. Just got done fixing those. Prior owner did not believe in warming the motor up before heading out.

It very well could be this. Is there a documented process for performing this job?

Thanks

macmac · 10-19-2010, 05:25 PM

Find the source of the leak first.

ndbigfish · 10-19-2010, 08:23 PM

Look for simple things like the connection of the breather line in front of the front cylinder. Oil can really spread out when blown by the wind. I found my leak on the 03' by cleaning the motor really well and then taking the bike for a long ride. I cleaned the engine with engine de-greaser/cleaner and flushed the suspect areas with electrical contact cleaner. I came home and with the aid of a bright light, I watched the gaskets. I thought the base gasket was the culprit and I could see small bubbles form and pop along the gasket seam; like air escaping through a thin film of oil.

Common engine leak areas are: rocker cover gaskets, head gaskets, cylinder base gaskets, banjo fitting oil lines, cam chain plugs and cam chain tensioners. Unfortunately if the base gaskets leak it likely means the engine is coming out for a top end re-build.

This job was out of my current ability, so I bought all of the gaskets, o-rings, piston rings, HLA filters and HLA springs and had a professional do the work. I was able to gather that it required 10 to 15 hours of labor. I saved $70 by buying the replacement parts myself.

A word of advice to keep from getting leaks. Warm the engine at an idle for 3 to 4 minutes before moving off. Ride easy for several miles to allow the oil to completely lubricate the top of the engine. Don't start the engine and immediately race the throttle.

**ringadingh** · 10-19-2010, 08:44 PM

It could be the cam plugs as well but they usually seep rather than drip.

**Cajunrider** · 10-19-2010, 09:51 PM

The seep I had at the #1 cam chain tensioner painted the entire left side of the engine and the left saddlebag. Amazing what 70 mph winds can do with just a seep of oil.

AlabamaNomadRider · 10-20-2010, 10:00 PM

Might not be the cam chain tensioner causing your problem. The area where your spark plug is would have oil in it if the chain had worn a place in the tube. You should have heard a noice also so it is probably something else.

10-19-2010, 02:03 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Discovered an oil leak! If the cam chain ate through the spark plug tube, then oil would fill up the spark plug tube and spill over onto the outside of the head, I would guess. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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10-19-2010, 02:15 PM	#3
ndbigfish Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 1,162	Discovered an oil leak! Look at the base gaskets. Just got done fixing those. Prior owner did not believe in warming the motor up before heading out. __________________ 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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10-19-2010, 05:25 PM	#5
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Discovered an oil leak! Find the source of the leak first. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-19-2010, 08:23 PM	#6
ndbigfish Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 1,162	Discovered an oil leak! Look for simple things like the connection of the breather line in front of the front cylinder. Oil can really spread out when blown by the wind. I found my leak on the 03' by cleaning the motor really well and then taking the bike for a long ride. I cleaned the engine with engine de-greaser/cleaner and flushed the suspect areas with electrical contact cleaner. I came home and with the aid of a bright light, I watched the gaskets. I thought the base gasket was the culprit and I could see small bubbles form and pop along the gasket seam; like air escaping through a thin film of oil. Common engine leak areas are: rocker cover gaskets, head gaskets, cylinder base gaskets, banjo fitting oil lines, cam chain plugs and cam chain tensioners. Unfortunately if the base gaskets leak it likely means the engine is coming out for a top end re-build. This job was out of my current ability, so I bought all of the gaskets, o-rings, piston rings, HLA filters and HLA springs and had a professional do the work. I was able to gather that it required 10 to 15 hours of labor. I saved $70 by buying the replacement parts myself. A word of advice to keep from getting leaks. Warm the engine at an idle for 3 to 4 minutes before moving off. Ride easy for several miles to allow the oil to completely lubricate the top of the engine. Don't start the engine and immediately race the throttle. __________________ 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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10-19-2010, 08:44 PM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Discovered an oil leak! It could be the cam plugs as well but they usually seep rather than drip. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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10-19-2010, 01:38 PM	#1
psychocycle Advanced Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 822	Discovered an oil leak! I just discovered a small oil leak between the heads. I have cleaned it up to see if I can determine the source. But I have read in previous posts that if the cam chain tensioner runs out of travel that the chain can slap and over time put holes in the spark plug tube. If that was to happen where would the oil leak from? And how do you check these tubes for damage. Last night I checked the travel on the cam chain tensioner and found that I'm out of travel which blows me away at only 34,000 kilometers. ??? I have ordered the extenders, o-rings and gaskets from the dealer and they should be in by this weekend, so I will hopefully have this part of the job done on Saturday. Thanks for your help. __________________ Psychocycle VBA # 1125 2002 1500 fi Nomad Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-19-2010, 09:51 PM	#8
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Discovered an oil leak! The seep I had at the #1 cam chain tensioner painted the entire left side of the engine and the left saddlebag. Amazing what 70 mph winds can do with just a seep of oil. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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10-20-2010, 10:00 PM	#9
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Discovered an oil leak! Might not be the cam chain tensioner causing your problem. The area where your spark plug is would have oil in it if the chain had worn a place in the tube. You should have heard a noice also so it is probably something else. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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