| Author | Message | ||
     Barrick09 |
So iv been having a lot of work done to my 99 x1 lighting. new pistons, bored cylinders, valve job, machine heads, and all new gaskets. when the bike was being ran through its cycles 2 min cool down, 4 min cool down, 2 min. there is some leaking around the rear cylinder. when i was looking at buying a buell a lot of the ones i looked at also leaked on the rear cylinder and the guys always said it was common, but i thought maybe they was just covering their ass when trying to sell me a bike. my question, is this common? it didn't leak before. any suggestions on thew cause or the fix? or does the bike just need to be ran some more and it will stop leaking after some more heat/cool cycles. Any help is nice, Thanks. Anthony. | ||
| Jim2 |
I believe it is common for them to weep. It's been suggested that adding the proper sized PCV valve into the timing plug hole using the proper sized threaded adapter and venting to a catch can or filter will reduce pressure below the cylinders and stop the weeping. I've not tried it. Supposed to be an old dirt-tracker trick. Also supposed to be common with early NASCAR (I think). I have the detailed info that was sent to me by Buellistic but I wouldn't know if it applies to a worked X1 motor. Perhaps you might want to discuss with him. | ||
| Oldog |
Not common check crank case venting, and review reassembly work if the base gaskets were replaced and the cleanup was done properly there should not be a leak. | ||
| Barrick09 |
I did email buellistic and he said that this is common. Also sent me step by step and pictures to the pvc valve fix. Plan on calling to discuss the build in detail to make sure there isnt any issues. | ||
| Willflyfor |
are we talking about the base gaskets? | ||
| Firemanjim |
I agree--not a common thing.Bad assembly more than likely. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Um...am I the only one here who is going to ask - WHAT is leaking? Rockerbox? Base gasket? Head gasket? Oil? Compression? | ||
| Someday |
I had what at first looked like a rear head gasket leak, turned out the intake manifold gaskets gave up and the oooz was blowing back right at the junction of the head and cylinder. This happened at 50,000+ miles though. | ||
| Kalali |
So what is the answer? WHERE is it leaking? Regardless, any leak may be common but certainly not normal. | ||
| Barrick09 |
Sorry for the slow reply guys, it is leaking in the corner where the cylinders meet the base (base gasket) The cylinders and heads where just redone. The bike has been taken apart and put back together 4 times in the last month or so. This last build i took more time making sure everything was to spec etc. It doesn't leak right away only after the bike warms up say 5-10 idle. it starts to i guess you could say bubble/weep oil. ill try to have pics by the end of the day. Thanks (Message edited by barrick09 on December 10, 2011) | ||
| Preybird1 |
That is not common. Mine never leaked in stock form and it is very modified now and it doesn't leak. There is something wrong. What kind of gasket did you guys use on the build?? | ||
| Willflyfor |
i did a search a while back as my front base gasket is leaking as well, came up with quite a few hits so i would say it is "fairly common". in a lot of cases the rider would deal with it for a while until he was ready to tear the entire topend back down and replace the gasket and check squish and all that jazz  | ||
| 93jrh |
i have owned my S1W since 99 and never had any issues w base gasket. reworked top end and used HD gaskets and no issues. | ||
| Barrick09 |
All factory harley davidson gaskets were used. Buellistic said the same thing that most guys just deal with it until it needs torn down again, he said you just have to keep cleaning the engine. note oil is not pouring out of this thing, but i havent rode it yet, just head cool cycles and and 20 feet up my driveway. | ||
| Willflyfor |
I'm just gonna ride mine, my base gasket leak is much more subtle than the "famed" rockerbox leak, mine still had the old fiber crap until 2 days ago. | ||
| Buellistic |
BUELLers: Have PVC Valve in TIMING PLUG HOLE and have up dated to BLAST/XB PCV Valves in ROCKER ARM COVERS ... Have 110 K miles on my 1997 S3T with OEM Base Gaskets with no base gasket weeping as of last ride ... Will be glad to send WHAT/HOW "INFO" to anyone, just PM me for a copy ... | ||
| Sportyeric |
Its has been common with my bikes. I've considered the theory that getting on the gas before the engine has warmed up (and the cylinder has expanded to provide full clamp on the gasket) allows the gasket seal to fail. Once oil has contaminated the interface, it will not stop. I just ignore it. | ||
| Buellistic |
IMHO, improper assembly cause's a lot of gaskets/parts to fail prematurely ... Another contributing factor is improper break in and not getting engine up to operating temperature BEFORE RUNNING THE ENGINE HARD ... The FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL and PARTS BOOK are good tools, "BUT" they do not teach experience, how to think, or OLD SCHOOL assembly HOW TO WAYS ... TORQUE'in(how to), TORQUE'ing COMPOUND(how and when to use), and just checking your timing are a lost art. !!! | ||
| Willflyfor |
Here is something to chew on lol, I only noticed my base gasket leak when I switched to Mobil 1 V-Twin synthetic, however, since I stwitched BACK to dynosoar oil my base gaskets don't leak hardley as bad. I just tested this out today and rode hard, one wheel stuff and 100mph for several 2 mile stretches and no seeping from the bases. It might come back but for now the dyno oil seems to help. | ||
| Ratbuell |
If it's a fresh build, check the torque on your cylinder/head studs. I've had a couple show "loose" after the first few heat cycles. | ||
| Buellistic |
Hope you put anti-size compound on threads or you will not wind up with the proper torque !!! | ||
| Barrick09 |
I think i've found the answer i was looking for. My plan is to ride this thing leak or not. Ill put some miles and short rides on it thru winter and and evaluate the leak come spring and take action from there. |
