| Author |
Message |
    
Tryingnot_tobe_a_squid
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 02:58 pm: | 
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Ok so I went for a ride its getting cold so I wanted to get the bike out for another spin. The ride was fine but when I get back oil is pouring out of the oil reservoir cap. After cleaning up that mess I notice there is a slow leak from the base gasket on the second cylinder, possibly the transmission case as well. After doing some research it sounds like a breather issue. The breather hose is a little cinked and frayed. Would that really be building up that much pressure?
Also as someone new to motorcycles, would changing those gaskets be a good learning experience, or would it be something better left to a professional?
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Harleyelf
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 03:56 pm: |
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Changing the cylinder base gasket is no job for a newbie; are you positive that it is leaking? You have to get the rings and pistons just right or big trouble results. That hose nipple could be rotated a bit to the right when you replace the hose, that may postpone the next cracked hose. Did you top the oil off before your ride? Often a pint or so of oil is in the engine around the crankshaft and flywheels (where there should be clear air) after sitting for a few weeks; you may have overfilled it. Where does that vent tube go besides to the other cylinder? There should be a "T" fitting and a hose to either the air cleaner or a breather screen. |
Tryingnot_tobe_a_squid
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 05:40 pm: |
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That hose goes into the air cleaner, and I'm positive the base gasket is leaking (every day or two I have to wipe up some oil). Before this started happening the oil was changed a few weeks earlier with out issue, when the bike went in for a tune up. I have yet to pull the hose off to see if it clogged. When the pike was in the shop the mechanic played around with the carb (it flooded and there were other things that were FUBAR) which would explain why the hose is messed up now. |
Harleyelf
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 05:49 pm: |
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Good deal. If you have a service manual and reasonable skill with a wrench, you can change the gasket yourself. The rear is much easier to remove than the front. You will need a torque wrench to properly install the head bolts after replacing the base gasket. Only parts you should need are the base, head, and rocker cover gaskets. DON'T LET THE RINGS GET DINGED! The primary gasket is an easy change; don't forget the shifter shaft seal. Was it over filled? Could the oil vent line to the oil tank possibly be compromised? |
Tryingnot_tobe_a_squid
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 07:22 pm: |
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I'll check the vent line out, because honestly, that little kink doesn't seem like it would build up that much pressure to bust gaskets and pop the lid. Would I have to worry about the engine's timing if I change the gaskets myself? |
Harleyelf
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 07:34 pm: |
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No, the timing is set on the right hand side of the engine. That vent line in the picture does not look clogged, I was asking about the one from the oil tank to the vent spigot on the motor. Pressure that forces oil out of the oil bag only happens when there is more oil in the motor than there is room for. You didn't add any? Your air cleaner didn't get any oil in it? |
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98 Lightning high oil pressure, leaking gaskets is this a breather issue?