Leaking Transmission??

[Tdubb]

:loony:Just got my 2008 Mastiff about a month ago. I'm finally getting used to it and took out this evening. Rode her hard and fast. Pulled into a favorite hangout and see she's leaking oil all over the place. Took her home and looks like the drain plug was loose and leaking. See picture - that's the drain plug correct? I tightened it up and now I'm praying that's the source. I checked the level and it's on the low end of the proper level. I want to top it off - what tranny fluid is bubblegum pink?

 

[woodbutcher]

yes, that is the drain and the pink is "Redline Heavy Shockproof 75-140". be careful about over filling. i think i would go ahead and drain it and make sure i put in the proper 20 oz.

 

[boomer4444]

Thread Sealants : Permatex® High Temperature Thread Sealant looks like its about to fall out,, tighten it down ,if it still leaks check this stuff out

 

[bigdogtech01]

How loose was plug? Looks like it's leaking from more than just that :bang: could be bad main seal behind pulley..if it continues to leak.

 

[Tdubb]

How loose was plug? Looks like it's leaking from more than just that :bang: could be bad main seal behind pulley..if it continues to leak.

Crap. I went out and crawled under the bike. You may be right about the main seal. How big a job is that?##%#^%:angry:

 

[JeffM]

Andrew is the MAN, he will fix ya problem.

 

[aspen874]

Don't be to upset, it's not that big of a deal, Andrew can help you out.

 

[aspen874]

My bike leaked from the drain also, it wouldn't seal properly, had to drain the tranny, clean the threads and tape to get to stop. Hope that's all it is on yours.

 

[bigdogtech01]

It's not a bad job if you have all the tools..the pulley nut is LEFT hand thread, so clockwise to loosen, and it's 1 7/8", might be able to find that socket at Autozone or someplace like that.
-Remove exhaust
-remove clutch pushrod cover off pulley cover.
-remove clutch pushrod (DO NOT move your clutch lever while this is apart)
-remove pulley cover.
-remove pulley nut (probably have to use an air impact, unless it's loose)
-remove drive pulley.
-remove pulley spacer from within leaking main seal.
-use seal puller to remove main seal (note small O-ring/quad seal under pulley spacer)

--All seals can be purchased from an H-D dealer using mid '90's to early 2000 5 spd H-D's, such as FLT's, FLST, FXST

--While you have it apart, check for any end play, in and out, up and down...if play exists, then you might need transmission bearings.
--Also check condition of pulley itself while apart...inner splines for wear.

 

[Letbigdogintocanada]

Andrew deff knows his shit!!!!, it's guys like him that make this forum what it is!!!

 

[Tdubb]

I topped off the oil today and took her for a 40 mile ride - mostly interstate 70-80mph. Still leaking even after I tightened up the drain plug. I was very hesitant to tighten too much in fear of stripping out the allen head - there is a lot of pipe tape on the plug. Anyway if you look at the picture the oil's furthest forward point is the drain plug and its a constant path of oil from that point back. I can't see the oil flowing forward to the plug. I sure hope it's the plug. I'll drain it and use some of the sealant boomer suggested (unless Andrew advises against it).

Question for Andrew - how tight do I snug down the plug? I've over tightened small fasteners in the past and I don't want to use an easy out on my new bike. I'll update this weekend when I get my next chance to ride her.

 

[Tdubb]

I topped off the oil today and took her for a 40 mile ride - mostly interstate 70-80mph. Still leaking even after I tightened up the drain plug. I was very hesitant to tighten too much in fear of stripping out the allen head - there is a lot of pipe tape on the plug. Anyway if you look at the picture the oil's furthest forward point is the drain plug and its a constant path of oil from that point back. I can't see the oil flowing forward to the plug. I sure hope it's the plug. I'll drain it and use some of the sealant boomer suggested (unless Andrew advises against it).

Question for Andrew - how tight do I snug down the plug? I've over tightened small fasteners in the past and I don't want to use an easy out on my new bike.:down: I'll update this weekend when I get my next chance to ride her.

 

[PHATASS]

Go down to your local auto parts store and pick up a tube of high temp thread sealant found in the following link. Apply to threads of drain plug and torque to 9 ft lbs as recommended by the Big Dog Service manual.

Thread Sealants : Permatex® High Temperature Thread Sealant

 

[woodbutcher]

doesn't look like the plug is cross-threaded

IGNORE THIS PART OF THE POST!!!!!! FIBER'S POST LATTER IN THE THREAD REMINDED ME THE PLUG COULD BE NPT AND YOU CAN'T CHASE THE THREADS. Thanks for being there, Tim.

(((but you might want to run a tap to make sure the threads are clean before you try to re-install the plug.)))

 

[aspen874]

I had the same issue, agree with Brian and Tom.

 

[BWG56]

Andrew deff knows his shit!!!!, it's guys like him that make this forum what it is!!!

Yea he does, I did a walk in with Andrew last saturday, tranny rebuild while you wait, what a concept. Couple hrs later I was on my way home. Doesn't get any better than that, I couldn't talk him into coming home with me to put it back in the bike though:lol:

 

[BigDogBro1]

Can't recall if there was an o-ring on that plug of not. If NO o-ring then it could be an 1/8" NPT thread (tapered pipe thread).

If it is NPT thread then don't run a tap too far in or you will enlarge the hole enough to where the plug won't tighten at the proper depth.

 

[Fibersnake]

Would get a good inch pound torque wrench when you torque due to the low foot pounds and many torque wrenches not as accurate as you would think. At 9' it would be 108", if the wrench is cheap and very inaccurate, that 9' on a foot pounder could be 15 and end up stripping it easier. The inch pounder will be more accurate and not as likley to be off as much as pushing the foot pounder down so low.

I was taught rule of 15 in the military in regard to torque wrench, under 15' use inch wrenches over 15 go to foot pound wrenches, especially if they are using socket head, phillips or straight slotted heads.

 

[bigdogtech01]

Can't recall if there was an o-ring on that plug of not. If NO o-ring then it could be an 1/8" NPT thread (tapered pipe thread).

If it is NPT thread then don't run a tap too far in or you will enlarge the hole enough to where the plug won't tighten at the proper depth.

Yes they are 1/8 NPT..use the liquid Teflon sealant like the others have said...

Would get a good inch pound torque wrench when you torque due to the low foot pounds and many torque wrenches not as accurate as you would think. At 9' it would be 108", if the wrench is cheap and very inaccurate, that 9' on a foot pounder could be 15 and end up stripping it easier. The inch pounder will be more accurate and not as likley to be off as much as pushing the foot pounder down so low.

I was taught rule of 15 in the military in regard to torque wrench, under 15' use inch wrenches over 15 go to foot pound wrenches, especially if they are using socket head, phillips or straight slotted heads.

This is very true :2thumbs:

 

[Tdubb]

Well it's definitely the seal leaking. Now I need to decide if I'm going to do it or take it to my mechanic.