| Author | Message | ||
     Slopoke |
First post on the board. I had lurked around here for a while while looking for a XB12S after riding one at the local dealer. I found and purchased a 04 XB12S a few weeks ago from somewhere else but knew this would be a great place for general info. Now to the point. After a few days of hard riding I noticed an oil leak dripping onto the pipe and making a mess. First thought was I can't believe Harley still hasn't fixed bottom end oil leaks. (I had a '76 sportster that marked its turf) After investigating further it looked like oil was leaking from the area around the oil filter. When I purchased the bike I was told that it had been in storage for a little over a year, so I figured maybe the o-ring on the filter had dried up and oil was bypassing the the top of the filter and leaking on the pipe. Changed the oil, clean up the pipe and took it for a spin to warm up the new oil and check the level. When I get back to the house I see a nice new patch of oil on the pipe. Panic is starting to set in now, did I just get hosed over on a used bike. I traced the leak to the oil cooler return line fitting that connects to the block and check the service manual for removal and re-installation instructions. I found a few pictures of the fitting but no specific instructions. Seems pretty straightforward to remove the fitting add some thread sealant and reinstall. Oil filter is in the way so remove carefully to hold the oil, and remove the return line. I start to remove the fitting and its completely loose. (no wonder it leaks) One half turn and it hits the oil pressure indicator, arrgh. Look in the service manual and now I see need a special tool to remove the indicator. I just about tossed that manual across the room, but instead of a tantrum I thought I would check the board and see if anyone on Badweb had this problem before. A quick search turns up a number of posts, and I find one stating use a 1 1/16 deep well socket to remove the oil pressure indicator. Go to the garage and sure enough it works. Get the fitting off lube with thread sealant and try to reinstall. I must say there is very little room to work with the headers on and the oil cooler lines are in the way. The threads are really fine, and my fat hands are not making this easy. I finally get those tiny threads to catch and the fitting goes on but when tightened is about 90 degrees too far from where it should be. The inlet now faces out to the header side of the bike and there is no way it is going to turn another 270 degrees to make it to the correct position. I loosened it to the point where the return line will connect and I am pretty sure it will leak again. Put thread sealant on the oil pressure indicator and reinstall. Attached oil cooler return line and hope for the best. I let the thread sealant cure overnight and fire up the bike. Oil pressure light goes off and no leaks, so far so good. Reattached chin spoiler and go for a ride. I could smell some oil burning off the pipe and was hoping just some residual leftover. No such luck, when we stopped to fill up I can see that oil is leaking on the pipe again and looks like it is coming from the 90 degree fitting where it attached to the block. Back home now and about ready to tear down again. I am at a loss of how to seal the fittings connection to the block. Anybody got any ideas? Sorry for the long post, just trying to vent some frustration. | ||
| Slopoke |
OK I took everything back apart again to add more thread sealant. The 90 degree fitting is still not completely bottomed out when at the angle needed to connect to the return line, and it wouldn't catch a thread at any other starting point. Crossed my fingers and left bike parked for 72 hours for thread sealant to fully cure. (I think this was the key to making this work) Started it up and no leaks. Went out and rode the bike hard for a couple hours. Saw oil on the muffler when I stopped for gas and couldn't believe it. Got home to check out and it looks like it was just some residual oil that was on the pipe after I had hosed the entire muffler down with brake cleaner. Fitting had a little of oil on it, but it doesn't look like any real loss of oil. I will keep an eye on it and if it starts bug me or actually leak and I see a few days of rain in the forecast I will take it all apart again and reseal everything. The only way I can see to permanently stop all oil loss will be to bend the hard line portion of the oil cooler return line enough that I can turn that fitting another 60 to 90 degrees so that it is completely bottomed out and really tight. If I remember I will take some pictures during disassembly and reassembly so everyone knows what I am talking about. | ||
| Bonegraft |
Go to your local hydraulic repair/supply store and they should have 90` oil fittings that have a jam nut on them so you can tighten/lock the elbow at any position you want. Take your old fitting with you so they can match it with one the same thread. Fit the new fitting at the angle you want and snug up the jam/lock nut. Problem should be solved. If you have no luck with this post a pic so we can see if we can spot another solution. I'll bet your fitting with sealent will leak again after afew heat cycles. Hope this helps, Matt. | ||
| Slopoke |
Bonegraft, Thats a great idea, thank you. Fitting does mist some oil that leaks onto the pipe and I am sure it will only get worse. Not enough to worry about yet, but any leak bothers me. Once I see a few days of rain in the forecast I will pull it apart again and give it a shot. | ||
| Hooverrider |
i also have the same problem and i thought that there might be an o-ring thats faulty but i dont have a manual and have not taken it apart yet. i will disassemble it this weekend getting my bike ready for a trip to maine. |
