How much of a problem is this?

mrtelefoneman1 · 03-08-2018, 11:28 PM

So I started to install pipes on my 01 Nomad with about 30k on the odo the other day and as I was unbolting the head pipes, I noticed this. Notice the oily film over the upper fins. Sorry about one pic being skewed. There is not a slimy mess, just a film like I applied Armour All or something. This is on the right rear cylinder and I also noticed the same on the left front. I know that it is oil but why? Any help is appreciated......MAS, DL...please.

Thanks in advance...Levi

Peg · 03-09-2018, 05:38 AM

That looks like it'll be the (very common) cam plug oil leak, from around the plastic inserts above the spark plugs & up under the rocker covers.

Searching that sentence won't yield many results because of the three-letter words, so try this search instead.

In short... clean & dry around each of those plastic plugs as much as you can, and then work a bit of black ultra permatex silicone in there as far around as you can. I had to do that a couple of times on my Nomad.

DragonLady58 · 03-09-2018, 09:54 AM

As Peg said, the famous top cover/cam plug seal...
What you can do for awhile is get a can of carb cleaner, spray oily mess off. Brake cleaner works also, cut might be really harsh on non-metal items, like paint if accident occures.
Get some black VHT silicone seal on your finger and go Picasso on the seals parting line. You can also use the really long qtips for this, works really well in the hard to reach areas.
Sometimes, they'll just leak around the plugs, fix is the same.
I absolutely hate oil leaks, once I go into a engine, I own its ass....

That head seal area is prone to leaks. The head beneath the chrome cover is the cause. clean the carb cleaner, then wipe with brake cleaner, do both the head and the cover. When assemly of engine takes place, I use a small artists paint brush to apply silicone seal to head and cover when putting new gasket on, along with plug, so they'll never leak....

mrtelefoneman1 · 03-09-2018, 10:29 AM

Thanks to both of you. The link didn't work Peg but I did some research and you both are spot on. I'll attack that on the next warm day. Does it ever end? Glad it was nothing serious though. Thanks again.

03-09-2018, 05:38 AM	#2
Peg Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: West Coast, North Island, New Zealand Posts: 1,375	That looks like it'll be the (very common) cam plug oil leak, from around the plastic inserts above the spark plugs & up under the rocker covers. Searching that sentence won't yield many results because of the three-letter words, so try this search instead. In short... clean & dry around each of those plastic plugs as much as you can, and then work a bit of black ultra permatex silicone in there as far around as you can. I had to do that a couple of times on my Nomad. __________________ Nothing screams poor workmanship like wrinkles in the duct tape '02 1500 blonde Nomad (Sold) '97 800 burgundy Classic (Sold)
	0

03-09-2018, 09:54 AM	#3
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	As Peg said, the famous top cover/cam plug seal... What you can do for awhile is get a can of carb cleaner, spray oily mess off. Brake cleaner works also, cut might be really harsh on non-metal items, like paint if accident occures. Get some black VHT silicone seal on your finger and go Picasso on the seals parting line. You can also use the really long qtips for this, works really well in the hard to reach areas. Sometimes, they'll just leak around the plugs, fix is the same. I absolutely hate oil leaks, once I go into a engine, I own its ass.... That head seal area is prone to leaks. The head beneath the chrome cover is the cause. clean the carb cleaner, then wipe with brake cleaner, do both the head and the cover. When assemly of engine takes place, I use a small artists paint brush to apply silicone seal to head and cover when putting new gasket on, along with plug, so they'll never leak.... __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride! Last edited by DragonLady58; 03-09-2018 at 10:03 AM.
	0

03-09-2018, 10:29 AM	#4
mrtelefoneman1 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Zanesville, OH Posts: 315	Thanks to both of you. The link didn't work Peg but I did some research and you both are spot on. I'll attack that on the next warm day. Does it ever end? Glad it was nothing serious though. Thanks again.
	0