I,ve noticed I have a small amount of oil leaking from under the top cylinder cap front and back, no drips, just the oil film expanding across the cooling fins from top back right side and down.. I'm going to be replacing the gaskets I'm guessing and wondered what all else I should take care of while I've got the hamster wheel out if anything. Or any tips anyone might have would be greatly appreciated. Im really loving the way Kaw designed the frame. I was looking into what all was going to be involved. But the more work I do on this bike, the more I want to shake the hands of the designers. Granted my previous bikes were all repaired by someone else, so I really dont know for certain. But the lower side frame rails being designed to be removed was a really nice idea. I just love this bike.
I have the same issue---I was told by the guy servicing my bike the head gasket was the culprit :o , but that it could go for a while liek that as long as I didn't use synthetic oil...because synthetic tends to "look" for places to leak out of :o ...it's been fine so far (about 14,000 miles)...guess it would be nice to hear from you when you get yours all fixed up! in case you find something that isn't just the head-gasket...
Thanks!
Sandra
That is very interesting Sandra. It started after I switched to synthetic. I just figured it was from sitting for awhile. I've put 10k on it this summer and just figured it was failing with its new life again. So I wonder if I am a wasting my efforts if I continue to run synthetic. I am curious what some of the other's have to say. Hoping Chief or Troll might have some input. I just assumed synthetic was the better way to go. Many thanks for your input.
Only the right side frame rail is removable. My buddy has a Nomad with the same issue and we thought great,
unbolt the frame rails and drop the engine. Then we realised just one side is removable.
Oh well, better then none.........
Will be working on this during the winter also.
Regards aralph
I am running Kaw synthetic in mine, no leaks (so far); it might be coming from the plugs on the heads as well; (located on the right side of rear head,above spark plug,left side of front head) hard to see as the valve cover hides most of it.) round, about the size of a half dollar piece. Seems like I read about that in the Mods/Tips section a while back.
Regards and such,
49Reo
Thanks Roe. I will look into that.
Chili, I just did the plug repair on my 99 1500 last month, it took less than an hour, and has been holding fine, the hardest part is getting it clean, and getting the gasket material in looking smooth.
Without doing the heads.
I am sure Chief will post the link if we ask him nicely.
HERE IT IS: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/plugrepair.html (http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/plugrepair.html) But you can always find it yourself over on the accessories/mods/tips area of the web site!!<g>
Things needed for cleaning, Brake cleaner, paper towels, and curved hemostats.
spray the cleaner on the paper towel, not directly on the bike.
To apply the gasket sealant smoothly, I used a artist pallet knife (#4 in this photo)
it is the right shape, and offset at a good angle to get the silicone into the unseen places smoothly/evenly.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/piece-oil-painting-pallet-knife/dp/B004TRSUAW (http://www.amazon.co.uk/piece-oil-painting-pallet-knife/dp/B004TRSUAW)
45 Bravo
Thanks 45 Bravo.
I don't know how I missed your reply post. After typing the stuff below I realized that you gave me the fix. Probably a few too many shots of Bushmills that night and I mistakenly marked it read without getting it read. Thanks for your help.
Its only took me several months to realize I should look at the 1500 threads from when the website started. As Chief,Troll and the other guru's here have to re-answer questions. And since we all experience similar issues I looked and found another owner experiencing the same prob. And the fix is much easier than I expected. Compared to pulling the engine and replacing the head gaskets. I will try and remember I know nothing about what I'm doing in this dept. I shouldn't try and diagnose my or any other bikes issues in the engine dept. The answers are on this site. I just need to take the time to search them out. Again I thank you who help all of us keep our bikes on the road. And more money in our wallets.
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/plugrepair.html (http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/plugrepair.html)
The SEARCH on here... way up at the top right... works pretty good. Give that a shot when you want to know something... may be its already been answered.
I'm not sure I buy the "synthetic oil leaks more" idea. Has anybody else heard that?
I did some research on synthetics a couple years ago, and found nothing to make me think it should want to leak more then regular oil. I use synthetic on my bike and all my small engines. I'm not a "synthetic nut" though - most of my other stuff still gets regular oil.
Greenbarn... that was a anti-synthetic charge made back in the early days of synthetic... its simply not true.
Here's some info you might find interesting...
http://www.texlube.com/oilmyths.htm (http://www.texlube.com/oilmyths.htm)
I believe that, lots of disinformation out there in the oil world. After checking my plugs in the top of the cylinders I can see where they were sealed with high temp sealant before from the factory. the bike is in the garage and will likely be there for awhile. Ive got some work ahead of me to get done on the Drifter. With Christmas comming up, tires and parts will likely have to wait for awhile.
I got creative and came up with a very easy fix to this oil leak problem until I decide to pull the motor...First take an old black biker T- shirt and cut up several pcs. 10 x 2 then roll them up tight like a small cigarette ...Once they are rolled up I used alittle glue from a glue gun to keep it from unrolling and coming apart just enough at the end not much... Mine leaks on the front left and the right rear ...Now take it and push it in tight between the cooling fins with a screwdriver make sure you put it on the fin that is under the plug ...Now when the oil leaks down and back towards the exhaust or the front of the other side it will work as a little oil sponge .....Make several of these and have them on hand then when they get full of oil you just pull it out and install a new one...Its just a simple fix to keep the oil from leaking out all over the motor ... I used them all summer and it kept the motor clean...Oh and put the glued seam at the top so it can draw up the oil on the bottom fin it won't absorb with the glue on the bottom ...hide it between the fins and it won't be seen by anyone but you .
Yeah, left front, right rear...cam bore plugs. There is a link on here somewhere somewhere about sealing them up without major surgery..
Hey Troll ...I tried that fix and it still leaks a bit I've got so much silicone up there that I probably won't be able to get the cover off when its time to fix it .
Getting it clean prior to putting high temp sealant on is the trick. I actually took mine to the car wash first. Came right home, let it cool and cleaned with Qtip swabs and alcohol till it was clean. Needed very small amount of sealant actually, just covering the plug seam and let it dry for a couple of days. I used a little plastic painter spatula per 45 Bravos advice. It worked well and seems to be holding fine. I did put the bike up on the jack to get it up high enough to make it easier.
Using brake cleaner and cleaning it REAL WELL, is the key.
Mine is still holding (knock on wood).
And yes, very little silicone is needed..
That is a very inventive, and unique approach to the problem..
45 Bravo
The sealer only works if the parts are CLEAN! 45 Bravo is correct about the brake cleaner...it's a dandy thing to have around, anyway. About $2 at Wal-Mart, it not only cleans away oil and LEAVES NO RESIDUE, but it will clean oil spots and crap off clothing. It's basically the same stuff dry cleaners use. Carb cleaner is NOT the same, and will leave a deposit behind that will impede the sealer. I have no idea how many intake manifolds I resealed because G.M. changed the after machining process cleaner they used back in the early 90's and the silicone seal wouldn't stick to the not quite clean surface. I remember doing 3 in one day, each one paying about 3.8 hours....warranty flat rate. I could hardly stand up after that.
One thing about brake-cleaner; I got a few minute droplets on my stock solo seat, and now have little white spots on my pretty black seat; so be careful; spray it on a rag, AWAY from the bike; trust me, they DO NOT look good with little white spots on them! :o
Regards and such,
49Reo
Leather dye would like handle that problem...
Will it work on the vinyl?
Regards and such,
49Reo
Permanent marker might work.
I'm truly amazed at the wealth of knowledge this site has to offer. Recently I noticed the same symptom that Chilli described, My first thought was that it was a gasket under the head cover and was dreading the thought of having to tear the bike down. I also had recently switched to a synthetic blend and soon after I started to notice the seepage. It also seemed that the bike ran on the sluggish side. The last time she was due I drained it completely (even replaced the oil screen/spring) New Oil filter, Went back to SAE 10w-40 oil.
Bike seems to be back to the responsiveness it had when I bought it, Still have the seepage, I keep an eye on it and clean it periodically. Now that I have my new found knowledge from this glorious site (Kudos to all who make it possible) I know what I'll be doing soon as my riding time goes into hibernation mode. Thanks again! BTW... You'd have to stand in line in a Harley Shop for this kind of info! LQTM
What about some old carbon-tetra-chloride for cleaning the area?
Doesn't carbon tet cause cancer in california rats and birth defects in penguins that drink it?
Pure Feldercarb. We used to take baths in it when we were kids. ;D ;)
Everything causes cancer in California, maybe they should annex that state and move everybody out....
And send a lot of them home...... ;)
Great info on this leak i have the samething going on with mine as well left leg side up front and right leg side in back thanks for info concerning this leak or misting of oil.
my mechanic told me to carry a napkin ! the engine has to be removed to repair valve cover leaks !
Quote from: dvdnsndy@yahoo.com on March 27, 2013, 18:48:19 PM
my mechanic told me to carry a napkin ! the engine has to be removed to repair valve cover leaks !
Harley mechanic? 8)
Quote from: dvdnsndy@yahoo.com on March 27, 2013, 18:48:19 PM
my mechanic told me to carry a napkin ! the engine has to be removed to repair valve cover leaks !
Good news for you then. There is a link in this thread with directions on how's to fix it for 10 bucks. Congrats! Look how much money this site just saved you! Its a great thing. These bikes are pretty damn durable and they most all share common problems. Your in the right place.
LOL @ Chief. Speak of the Devil.
Quote from: 49Reo on November 11, 2012, 19:53:10 PM
Will it work on the vinyl?
Regards and such,
49Reo
Sorry for the late reply..yes leather dye works fine on vinyl..in fact over here we have very few real leather seats because they absorb rainwater and after a day in the rain you end up with a very soggy seat..If you think leather is waterproof just look at your fingers after soaking in a hot bath for a while.
John.
Good to know; didn't want to use dye on it and end up carrying black spots in to the house on the seat of my pants to depsit on the wifes furniture......tends to cause pain......
Thanks for the quick reply..... ;)
Quote from: 49Reo on March 30, 2013, 11:41:18 AM
...carrying black spots in to the house on the seat of my pants to depsit on the wifes furniture......tends to cause pain......
Similarly, did you know walking across the kitchen floor with muddy boots can cause severe pain in the back of the head???
I DID know that!! Asking if supper is ready when the smoke alarm goes off causes the lights to go out too!! :o Did you know THAT? :D
Guess I'll have to keep it away from the local penguins! ::)