Opinions: Oil Leak on Front Jug/Head--should I just replace the base Gasket too?

chacha

chacha

Chaff Your EHC!!
Calendar Participant
Here's some pics. Got a nasty oil leak going--clearly coming from the rockerbox on the front jug (pic of that didn't come out). First noticed that I was getting some oil on the front exhaust wrap. It's now to the point that riding it hard (80 MPH for an hour) and I get a sheen of oil all over things (see pictures).
I'm thinking the front base gasket may be blown as well - thoughts?

I've pulled rocker boxes but never pulled a jug before.
Thanks.

Oil collecting at front left motor mount.


oil on carb and nose cone after riding hard.



Pictures of the front base gasket


 
Mr. Wright

Mr. Wright

Knows some things
Supporting Member
Clean it all off, and start looking little by little on short rides. The wind will blow a small leak all over the place. My rocker box had a small leak, and soaked everything from the back of the forks to the rear fender. Had to clean it 3 times before I found it. Luckily it was a loose bolt, I snugged it down and it hasn't leaked sense.
 
KaptinAmerika

KaptinAmerika

Guru
I agree with Shannon but I would put it on a lift with a fan to keep the motor cool and run it at rpm while watching. A leak like that will show up quickly.
 
05chop

05chop

Well-Known Member
Yeah clean it all off I prefer hot water and soap low pressure. Then red rag draft tube off and on with your finger be carefull not to hold to long. This will pressure up the crankcase should be easer to find oil leak while engine is at an idle.
 
BadDawg Bill

BadDawg Bill

Well-Known Member
Mr. Wright said:
Clean it all off, and start looking little by little on short rides. The wind will blow a small leak all over the place. My rocker box had a small leak, and soaked everything from the back of the forks to the rear fender. Had to clean it 3 times before I found it. Luckily it was a loose bolt, I snugged it down and it hasn't leaked sense.
Click to expand...
2X. You may just need to tighten the rocker box or put in a new gasket. You REALLY don't want to get into a head or base gasket if you don't have to.
 
S

Sven

Well-Known Member
I want brand 'S100' sprayed all over the bike if not twice. I do not want a hot engine or warm. That's why spray twice and rinse well.

As suggested, now ride the bike around the block and stop. That's every block you go in circles. Or, let it idle. roll up a fan but no longer than 8 minutes or less> sitting at idle. 5 minutes or less has to show some significant leak as shown in the pics.
 
SKOGDOG

SKOGDOG

One of the old ones.
I had a similar experience as Shannon..two of the allen head bolts securing my rear rocker box were not properly torqued, or maybe not lock-tited when a wrench had worked on my bike..
I was very happy to find that, and you can bet I cleaned it all, ied blue lock-tire, and torqued properly....the leak was fixed.
 
JeffM

JeffM

Active Member
Unusual to get that amount of oil without a definate spot it is coming from.
I had an oil filter o-ring leak once, it created a mess like that.

I alway go with the KISS principal and don't over think it too much.

After all it is just a big compressor.
 
Little-Boo

Little-Boo

Well-Known Member
Troop Supporter
I had a similar experience after a cam change on my wife's sporty. I could not fine the oil leak to same my ass. I got the bike all cleaned up (Brake Cleaner) let it sit overnight and nothing. I fired it up and all was good, so then I brought the RPMs up to about 2500 and here comes the oil. The Exhaust upper O-ring of the front cylinder push rod was half on and half was pushed up into the hole. Glad the O-ring didn't break, I just reset it I was good to go. Has not leaked in over a year so I guess that was it. Being that you just replaced the base gaskets, something like could happen.

Carlos :whoop:
 
chacha

chacha

Chaff Your EHC!!
Calendar Participant
Thanks for the ideas guys. I'll try any ideas to avoid pulling a jug :up:

I've had good luck cleaning this motor with a mixture of CLR. I'll give these ideas a shot and see if it is definitely only coming from the front rocker.

Probably have to wait until after Easyrider Chillicothe though since I don't think I can do it for sure before Thursday night. :cheers:
 
john sachs

john sachs

Well-Known Member
Easy way. :eek:
Remove the timing hole plug.
Wrap a rag around an air gun so it doesn't let air escape, and put it in the timing hole.
Pressurize the case, and look for the leak.
John
 
gabe

gabe

Active Member
john sachs said:
Easy way. :eek:
Remove the timing hole plug.
Wrap a rag around an air gun so it doesn't let air escape, and put it in the timing hole.
Pressurize the case, and look for the leak.
John
Click to expand...
All I know is that John Sachs is a pretty smart guy. :cheers:
 
05chop

05chop

Well-Known Member
Top side of the piston has compression so does the bottom side of the piston but has more volume so less pressure. Be carful use regulated air pressure. No way IMHO disagree with john it's just another way I test engines to check for oil leaks.
 
S

Sven

Well-Known Member
Say, wad ya doing? I'ma take a this raga and push a the air in. Are you saying you are going to push oil up to the top end? I gotta this a so mucha oil in the sump, I'ma get it flowing knowing I'ma gonna trowa 1 ha hundred pea yes I said turn a the switch on.

So how are you going to keep the seal from flying out backasswords? Breather back into bag can take so much and pops the oil stick up at the bulbs in the garage? Juice da stay back I ha gotta dis. Say, are you one of them there shopperheads looking for more work than just take the bike out for a short rude awaking is, singed,

AMB (ain't my bike) :roll:
 
05chop

05chop

Well-Known Member
Thank you Sven doing good here you? My way using red rag and draft tube applies to Cat diesel or any engine IMO didn't mean to mislead any mechanic here. All who reply have good answers including yours Sven. Yes you can blow seals out if your not careful just as others here have posted there ways.If I remember oil has a positive pressure to the heads in the sump I would assume this area is misting oil seeking a path of least resistance like a gasket or an oil seal.Like how about remove the vent at the head and apply off and on pressure with your thumb not good yes no?having an oil at the base gasket could lead to other problem like excessive crankcase pressure yes no?i would be glad to use my way on your bike if you I only need to figure is the timing of the thumb.
 
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