elusive oil leak

tonynumber1 · Oct 6th, 2009, 03:38 PM

I cleaned my engine and got rid off the excess oil. I started the bike and rode for about ten minutes. When I got back I looked for oil and found it around what appears to be a cap or plug next to the spark plug. My first question is, What is this cap? There are two of them. one on each side of the spark plug. My second question is how much of a job is it to fix such a leak?

glider · Oct 6th, 2009, 03:41 PM

What you are referring to is the bolts that hold the head and cylinder on the engine case. If you have an oil leak there, chances are you have a bad head gasket and the head has to come off to replace it.

tonynumber1 · Oct 6th, 2009, 03:57 PM

I was afraid of a bad head gasket. I have a manual but, don't know if I should mess with it. Does anyone know of a realistic cost for repair of a head gasket? I know that The local Harley dealer charges $88.00 an hour for labor. If you have experienced this and could guesstimate a repair cost for me I could start sweet talking the wife.

smkinnan · Oct 6th, 2009, 04:39 PM

A friend of mine has a 92 Soprtster. He just had the same problem. I don't know if yours has an oil tank but his tank was cracked where the oil line came into it. Later he found a bad line that caused a similar problem. Oil was running down the hose onto the ground.

fin_676 · Oct 6th, 2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smkinnan

A friend of mine has a 92 Soprtster. He just had the same problem. I don't know if yours has an oil tank but his tank was cracked where the oil line came into it. Later he found a bad line that caused a similar problem. Oil was running down the hose onto the ground.

in 1994 The sportster oil tank and battery tray were updated to prevent this sort of problem battery tray went from a 2 point fitting to oil tank to a 3 point fitting and the rubber mount under the battery tray was made larger so post 94 sportsters dont suffer from the oil tank being pulled apart by the weight of the battery

Brian

fin_676 · Oct 6th, 2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonynumber1

I cleaned my engine and got rid off the excess oil. I started the bike and rode for about ten minutes. When I got back I looked for oil and found it around what appears to be a cap or plug next to the spark plug. My first question is, What is this cap? There are two of them. one on each side of the spark plug. My second question is how much of a job is it to fix such a leak?

If you have a service manuall and a little bit of experience using hand tools its not a particularly hard job to do
However you do need to remove the tank exhaust system carb and inlet manifold and head steadys to be able to get the heads off if you do decide to tackle it yourself take note of the new head gaskets as you have to remove the o ring from the oil ways prior to using the latest pattern of gasket

Brian

glider · Oct 6th, 2009, 06:36 PM

Your dealer should be able to flat rate the cost of the job if you call them.

Oct 6th, 2009, 03:38 PM	#11
tonynumber1 Start The Engine Ride: 1996 sportster Join Date: Aug 15th, 2009 Posts: 27 My Mood:	Re: elusive oil leak I cleaned my engine and got rid off the excess oil. I started the bike and rode for about ten minutes. When I got back I looked for oil and found it around what appears to be a cap or plug next to the spark plug. My first question is, What is this cap? There are two of them. one on each side of the spark plug. My second question is how much of a job is it to fix such a leak?

Oct 6th, 2009, 03:41 PM	#12
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,004 My Mood:	Re: elusive oil leak What you are referring to is the bolts that hold the head and cylinder on the engine case. If you have an oil leak there, chances are you have a bad head gasket and the head has to come off to replace it. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Oct 6th, 2009, 03:57 PM	#13
tonynumber1 Start The Engine Ride: 1996 sportster Join Date: Aug 15th, 2009 Posts: 27 My Mood:	Re: elusive oil leak I was afraid of a bad head gasket. I have a manual but, don't know if I should mess with it. Does anyone know of a realistic cost for repair of a head gasket? I know that The local Harley dealer charges $88.00 an hour for labor. If you have experienced this and could guesstimate a repair cost for me I could start sweet talking the wife.

Oct 6th, 2009, 04:39 PM	#14
smkinnan Contributor$ Ride: 2008 RK Cop (Rockin') Join Date: Aug 19th, 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 165 My Mood:	Re: elusive oil leak A friend of mine has a 92 Soprtster. He just had the same problem. I don't know if yours has an oil tank but his tank was cracked where the oil line came into it. Later he found a bad line that caused a similar problem. Oil was running down the hose onto the ground. __________________ 2008 Road King Police, 103", Stage 1, Samson Slip-ons

Oct 6th, 2009, 06:36 PM	#17
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,004 My Mood:	Re: elusive oil leak Your dealer should be able to flat rate the cost of the job if you call them. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

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elusive oil leak

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