Oil leak from drain plug ....

[Ram-Z]

05chop - I know you said not to order any parts yet, but just in case .... I ordered this kit and asked that it be shipped overnight:
BDM RSD FULL Primary (Inner/Outer) R&R Kit w/ Fiber Gasket from www.deadonecustoms.com/BDM Accessories/BDM Lubrication and Fluid Accessories

I hope the stuff in this kit will fit my bike; and if it turns out that I didn't need the kit, then it will probably be good to have on the shelf for a later date.

 

[Ram-Z]

I've had this oil leak for awhile, but some times it barely leaks a few drops. But then there are times like last week when I road the bike 30 minutes to a friends house on a 87 degree day and when I went to leave 2 hours later .... I had a paper plate sized oil spot under the bike.

 

[francoblay1]

Have you changed the Starter lately, before it started to leak? I had a leak when I changed the starter... I had to get a new O-ring... the updated ones Curtis sells.

Check if the leak comes from where the Starter attaches to the primary.

 

[Ram-Z]

Have you changed the Starter lately, before it started to leak? I had a leak when I changed the starter... I had to get a new O-ring... the updated ones Curtis sells.

Check if the leak comes from where the Starter attaches to the primary.

I did have the starter changed about 12,000 miles ago. (It was the result of being a rookie Big Dog owner and not knowing that I should not use the throttle when starting the bike. It backfired and I broke the shaft off of the starter.)

Maybe it did start leaking back then. Time goes by quick. Do you have any contact info for Curtis? Even if it's not the problem .... I'll order a O-ring from them ASAP.

 

[francoblay1]

wsworx@gmail.com 619-823-8557

www.wildsteedworx.com

 

[05chop]

I use a air nozzle (compress air) to blow fresh oil away and some times simple green to wash it. Then small mirror I don't like to assume and change parts(gaskets)keep looking. Last resort use dye to each box one at a time with black light this will always work if you are patient

 

[JeffM]

Wow .... Thank you to everyone for your input! You guys are awesome! :2thumbs:

My drain plug appears to be the pipe thread plug. There is no O-ring and no bolt head. (I've tried to attach a sample picture of what my drain plug looks like.)

After reading the replies .... it sounds like I will try the yellow teflon tape, and if that doesn't work, then I'll try the plumbers yellow jointing paste.

It's called Lockeal.
In all my years of doing construction and maint, this stuff is the best of the best.:2thumbs: Locktite is for handy men.
WARNING: only use a drop and don't overtighten.

 

[Brew]

I'm with Franco on this one. Starter O-ring, don't ask me how I know...:roll:

 

[Ram-Z]

After reading some of the other forum topics .... I starting to think that vent on the backside of my primary case might be clogged up .... and that is causing a build up of pressure in the primary when it gets hot .... which the forces oil to leak out.

 

[francoblay1]

Well.... easy enough to clean it and then peace of mind..... but.... the problem still resides in Where is the Leak coming from????

 

[Ram-Z]

Well.... easy enough to clean it and then peace of mind..... but.... the problem still resides in Where is the Leak coming from????

Yes ... I know. But I think I'm going to start with trying to clean the vent. To be honest I don't seem to be able to visually find where the leak is coming from. My best guess is that it's on the back side of the primary case. Maybe the starter nose O-ring, or the primary to transmission O-ring. And I think the only way I will know is if I take it apart and replace the O-rings.

 

[francoblay1]

Yes ... I know. But I think I'm going to start with trying to clean the vent. To be honest I don't seem to be able to visually find where the leak is coming from. My best guess is that it's on the back side of the primary case. Maybe the starter nose O-ring, or the primary to transmission O-ring. And I think the only way I will know is if I take it apart and replace the O-rings.

I disagree..... you just need to clean EVERYTHING up nicely... then run it for awhile and have a look where the oil comes from!!!

Clean that Primary Vent too... I clean it up once a year as part of "preventive maintenance".....

 

[Ram-Z]

I have an update on the leak. After doing some further investigating ... I started the bike and let it heat up, but It didn't appear to drip. So I took the bike out and road it for 15 minutes and then parked it in the garage. It now looks like the leak is dripping down the side of my oil tank. If I was able to look straight up from where the drips are coming from, I think it would be in the area of the backside of the primary case. (like maybe in the area of the #31 O-ring in the attached diagram) :down:

I don't have enough knowledge to know where else .... or what else could be leaking up there. So I'm guessing I need to buy some gaskets and O-rings.

- New Update on hidden oil leak from somewhere behind the primary case. -
I removed the primary case vent .... cleaned it really good ..... and the put it back on the bike. I rode the bike a couple hundred miles over the weekend and so far it hasn't leaked a drop of oil. Now that I know that the bike has a primary vent .... I'll be cleaning it on a regular basis. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. :up:

 

[francoblay1]

- New Update on hidden oil leak from somewhere behind the primary case. -
I removed the primary case vent .... cleaned it really good ..... and the put it back on the bike. I rode the bike a couple hundred miles over the weekend and so far it hasn't leaked a drop of oil. Now that I know that the bike has a primary vent .... I'll be cleaning it on a regular basis. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. :up:

:2thumbs: