question about oil leak

**Idaho** · 10-21-2011, 11:49 PM

I noticed under the left side of the bike after I got home from work. Quick look found oil running down the kickstand so I put the beast on the jack (using an Original Idaho Jack Adapter of course) and started to remove stuff from the LS of the engine. Floorboard, shifter levers, chome engine side cover. Inside of that cover was loaded with oil but I could not see where it was coming from. So I grabbed papertowels and shop rags and dried everything off. It did not look to me like it was coming from the engine case so I started to suspect clutch fluid.

After leaving the bike in the air for about 30 minutes I went back and checked to see if more had seeped out, it did. I appears that the leak is behind the Clutch Slave Cylinder cover.

The shop manual shows a piston seal in the slave cylinder assembly in the periodic maintenance section. It also shows a spacer ( I would call it a thick gasket ) between the cylinder and the engine housing that it recommends replacing.

My question is if I replace these is there a good chance that my leak will stop? As a follow up does anyone have advice on disassembly and assembly?

Thanks,

**Jared** · 10-21-2011, 11:51 PM

I'm betting it's the push rod seal.

cactusjack · 10-21-2011, 11:53 PM

That's my guess, too. The seal has worked its way out of the hole it sits in and has slid down the push rod shaft. Easy fix.

If it's oil that's leaking, it isn't the slave cylinder.

**Idaho** · 10-22-2011, 12:14 AM

Looks like you guys are correct. I found the Garage section and a search turned up the answer. I posted this in the wrong spot. Sorry, new site, old brain.
The search engine sure works well.

**Top Cat** · 10-22-2011, 12:19 AM

Nice avatar CJ

Monkeyman · 10-22-2011, 03:33 AM

CJ rides a Harley. Of course he knows about oil leaks. :) Just pullin' ya chain, mate!

**Idaho** · 10-22-2011, 11:27 PM

Leak is fixed. I love this site.

cactusjack · 10-23-2011, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

CJ rides a Harley. Of course he knows about oil leaks. :) Just pullin' ya chain, mate!

No, I knew about the oil leak because my NOMAD had the same leak.

Loafer · 10-23-2011, 10:13 AM

CJ & Monkeyman, should we start to keep track of the barbs back and forth? Maybe we could make it a winter project, in the spring the loser pays the riding fuel bill of the winner for the month of June.

What do you think?

cactusjack · 10-23-2011, 01:28 PM

I read more about oil leaks here than I do on the Harley forum. I don't mind good natured ribbing, but get your facts straight.

And Loafer, I ride all winter.

wiz · 10-23-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

No, I knew about the oil leak because my NOMAD had the same leak.

Been there, done that! :-) This leak seems to be one of those things that hits most people who put miles on their Nomads. The upside is that it is a simple cheap DIY fix. The other thing seems to be fuel pump failure.

10-21-2011, 11:49 PM	#1
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	question about oil leak I noticed under the left side of the bike after I got home from work. Quick look found oil running down the kickstand so I put the beast on the jack (using an Original Idaho Jack Adapter of course) and started to remove stuff from the LS of the engine. Floorboard, shifter levers, chome engine side cover. Inside of that cover was loaded with oil but I could not see where it was coming from. So I grabbed papertowels and shop rags and dried everything off. It did not look to me like it was coming from the engine case so I started to suspect clutch fluid. After leaving the bike in the air for about 30 minutes I went back and checked to see if more had seeped out, it did. I appears that the leak is behind the Clutch Slave Cylinder cover. The shop manual shows a piston seal in the slave cylinder assembly in the periodic maintenance section. It also shows a spacer ( I would call it a thick gasket ) between the cylinder and the engine housing that it recommends replacing. My question is if I replace these is there a good chance that my leak will stop? As a follow up does anyone have advice on disassembly and assembly? Thanks, __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-21-2011, 11:51 PM	#2
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	I'm betting it's the push rod seal. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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10-21-2011, 11:53 PM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	That's my guess, too. The seal has worked its way out of the hole it sits in and has slid down the push rod shaft. Easy fix. If it's oil that's leaking, it isn't the slave cylinder. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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10-22-2011, 12:14 AM	#4
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	Looks like you guys are correct. I found the Garage section and a search turned up the answer. I posted this in the wrong spot. Sorry, new site, old brain. The search engine sure works well. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter
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10-22-2011, 12:19 AM	#5
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Nice avatar CJ __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-22-2011, 03:33 AM	#6
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	CJ rides a Harley. Of course he knows about oil leaks. :) Just pullin' ya chain, mate! __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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10-22-2011, 11:27 PM	#7
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	Leak is fixed. I love this site. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter
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10-23-2011, 10:13 AM	#9
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	CJ & Monkeyman, should we start to keep track of the barbs back and forth? Maybe we could make it a winter project, in the spring the loser pays the riding fuel bill of the winner for the month of June. What do you think? __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email]
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10-23-2011, 01:28 PM	#10
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	I read more about oil leaks here than I do on the Harley forum. I don't mind good natured ribbing, but get your facts straight. And Loafer, I ride all winter. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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