We found oil boys!!!!

willh108 · 07-21-2012, 07:39 AM

Alright gents, seems like a continually repeating process on this d**m bike of mine but i think i have sprung yet another oil leak. This time though i think it might be from the bottom of the engine case. Its not a terribly small leak either, not a monster leak but big enough that i want to get it taken care of. So i have a few questions, what would they need to do if they were to fix it? I know since not all shops charge the same per shop hour how many shop hours could i expect them to take to fix it? How would they go about fixing it?

Final question, if it is coming from the engine case (which i'm pretty positive it is, would it be from motor oil or from trans oil?

Thanks in advance!

Nick, KC&CO

Dodsfall · 07-21-2012, 08:10 AM

It's all going to depend on where the leak is. It's most likely a gasket or seal, so most of the labor will be dis-assembly and re-assembly to replace the seal.

Usually, oil will end up on the bottom of the engine, since gravity pulls it down even from a leak higher up. A good cleaning with degreaser can help pinpoint the exact seal that needs to be replaced, which will give you a better idea of what has to be done to fix it.

Eye_m_no_angel · 07-21-2012, 08:57 AM

What kind of bike is it?

Resealing engine cases is about a 25 hour job, so as Dod's said I'd make very sure it isn't dripping down from somewhere else first.

willh108 · 07-21-2012, 07:09 PM

Sorry guys, it's a '98 sportster 1200. I honestly have no idea where else it could be coming from other than the seal to the right of the primary cover seal. (so a case seal i think?) I'm thinking this because that is where the oil starts and it is dripping onto the bottom of the primary cover with no other parts being covered in oil. Nothing on top nothing on the ride side of the bike (right side being if you were sitting on it.) I will take a good degreaser to it for a final inspection but i'm 99% positive that thats where it is coming from. I know its a "toy" but if i'm not working i'm riding it to where ever i'm going. bit of a bummer if thats actually what it is...

Eye_m_no_angel · 07-22-2012, 08:56 AM

Degrease it to make sure but it sounds like either a case seal or a drain plug seal. Obviously a drain plug seal would be what you hope it is.

willh108 · 07-22-2012, 06:28 PM

Correct me if i'm wrong but aren't the drain plugs on these bikes more of a hose that you undo to drain the oil? Or are you talking about the primary cover? Guess i've got to look at the manual again. I've only owned the bike for about 1500 miles and previous owner had the oil changed before i bought it. Either way for this summer i decided to just punt it and ride it anyways. Its not as bad of an oil leak as i had previously thought so i'll just stick a drain pan underneath it in the garage. I mean whats a harley if it doesn't leak oil right?

Eye_m_no_angel · 07-23-2012, 07:52 AM

There is a primary/transmission drain plug in the left motor case, allthough some models have an additional one in the right case half below the transmission. I would degrease the engine to make sure it wasn't something like that since that would be a relatively easy fix.

"I mean whats a harley if it doesn't leak oil right?" 40 years ago I'd agree with you but Harleys now shouldn't leak any more oil then any other bike. If it is your case leaking and you don't have the coin to fix it then yeah, I'd live with it too, but with HD that's the exception rather then the norm.

willh108 · 07-23-2012, 06:26 PM

"I mean whats a harley if it doesn't leak oil right?" Believe me that is my thought completely, and if i had the coin it would already be in the shop. But unfortunately i don't

. But i actually started a really good job about a month ago so hopefully by the end of the riding season i can have some dough saved up to have it done. Been trying to sell my dirt bike too but haven't had too many takers but when that happens ill be that much closer to having the cash.

Eye_m_no_angel · 07-23-2012, 11:18 PM

You're located where?

willh108 · 07-25-2012, 05:37 PM

northwest indiana

Eye_m_no_angel · 07-26-2012, 07:25 AM

Hmmm...well, can't help you there. If you were closer I would work something out with you as far as resealing the cases. Was worth asking though.

willh108 · 07-26-2012, 09:51 PM

Hey man, i appreciate the thought!

07-21-2012, 07:39 AM	#1
willh108 Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 159	We found oil boys!!!! Alright gents, seems like a continually repeating process on this d**m bike of mine but i think i have sprung yet another oil leak. This time though i think it might be from the bottom of the engine case. Its not a terribly small leak either, not a monster leak but big enough that i want to get it taken care of. So i have a few questions, what would they need to do if they were to fix it? I know since not all shops charge the same per shop hour how many shop hours could i expect them to take to fix it? How would they go about fixing it? Final question, if it is coming from the engine case (which i'm pretty positive it is, would it be from motor oil or from trans oil? Thanks in advance! Nick, KC&CO

07-21-2012, 08:10 AM	#2
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,879	It's all going to depend on where the leak is. It's most likely a gasket or seal, so most of the labor will be dis-assembly and re-assembly to replace the seal. Usually, oil will end up on the bottom of the engine, since gravity pulls it down even from a leak higher up. A good cleaning with degreaser can help pinpoint the exact seal that needs to be replaced, which will give you a better idea of what has to be done to fix it. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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07-21-2012, 08:57 AM	#3
Eye_m_no_angel Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 4,242	What kind of bike is it? Resealing engine cases is about a 25 hour job, so as Dod's said I'd make very sure it isn't dripping down from somewhere else first.

07-21-2012, 07:09 PM	#4
willh108 Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 159	Sorry guys, it's a '98 sportster 1200. I honestly have no idea where else it could be coming from other than the seal to the right of the primary cover seal. (so a case seal i think?) I'm thinking this because that is where the oil starts and it is dripping onto the bottom of the primary cover with no other parts being covered in oil. Nothing on top nothing on the ride side of the bike (right side being if you were sitting on it.) I will take a good degreaser to it for a final inspection but i'm 99% positive that thats where it is coming from. I know its a "toy" but if i'm not working i'm riding it to where ever i'm going. bit of a bummer if thats actually what it is...

07-22-2012, 08:56 AM	#5
Eye_m_no_angel Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 4,242	Degrease it to make sure but it sounds like either a case seal or a drain plug seal. Obviously a drain plug seal would be what you hope it is.

07-22-2012, 06:28 PM	#6
willh108 Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 159	Correct me if i'm wrong but aren't the drain plugs on these bikes more of a hose that you undo to drain the oil? Or are you talking about the primary cover? Guess i've got to look at the manual again. I've only owned the bike for about 1500 miles and previous owner had the oil changed before i bought it. Either way for this summer i decided to just punt it and ride it anyways. Its not as bad of an oil leak as i had previously thought so i'll just stick a drain pan underneath it in the garage. I mean whats a harley if it doesn't leak oil right?

07-23-2012, 07:52 AM	#7
Eye_m_no_angel Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 4,242	There is a primary/transmission drain plug in the left motor case, allthough some models have an additional one in the right case half below the transmission. I would degrease the engine to make sure it wasn't something like that since that would be a relatively easy fix. "I mean whats a harley if it doesn't leak oil right?" 40 years ago I'd agree with you but Harleys now shouldn't leak any more oil then any other bike. If it is your case leaking and you don't have the coin to fix it then yeah, I'd live with it too, but with HD that's the exception rather then the norm.

07-23-2012, 06:26 PM	#8
willh108 Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 159	"I mean whats a harley if it doesn't leak oil right?" Believe me that is my thought completely, and if i had the coin it would already be in the shop. But unfortunately i don't . But i actually started a really good job about a month ago so hopefully by the end of the riding season i can have some dough saved up to have it done. Been trying to sell my dirt bike too but haven't had too many takers but when that happens ill be that much closer to having the cash.

07-23-2012, 11:18 PM	#9
Eye_m_no_angel Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 4,242	You're located where?

07-25-2012, 05:37 PM	#10
willh108 Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 159	northwest indiana

07-26-2012, 07:25 AM	#11
Eye_m_no_angel Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 4,242	Hmmm...well, can't help you there. If you were closer I would work something out with you as far as resealing the cases. Was worth asking though.

07-26-2012, 09:51 PM	#12
willh108 Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 159	Hey man, i appreciate the thought!