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rear head gasket

4.5K views 38 replies 12 participants last post by  kpvero06  
#1 ·
dam rear head gasket frekn leaking oil. is there a fix besides removing head etc. dam gaskets are approx 40 or so for 1 not to include labor.
 
#3 ·
it is a def leak between the fins of rear cylinder wear the head connects.on the left side as you set on bike. oil level is where it is supposed to be.
 
#4 ·
I would pull the valve cover and re-torque the head first. I’m not sure if you can remove the cover without separating the backbone, however. But it’s not hard to do, it just takes time and patience. There is a torquing procedure in the manual.
 
#6 ·
psychodiablo
after starting your bike hold your hand on rear cylinder. You feel the heat now move the hand up to head. When you feel that getting warm you can ride. Do not rev motor while your waiting it will do no good
 
#10 ·
nope it was all good. a dark brown to almost black line was on the lower area where the head connects to lower part.
 
#9 ·
i can see a def leak on the left side where the leak is between the head and lower part of engine. just on the left rear.the valvecover was fine and the crankcase line was good to.
 
#12 ·
yes it is.
 
#14 ·
2012’s had a bunch of heads that were porous. They weaped oil. If this bikes owner didn’t go get them replaced you won’t be able to stop it without replacement. My advice, just clean it. If the head gasket was leaking compression your leg would be on fire when that cylinder fired. Sorry.
 
#16 ·
the prev owner let it set for quite a while before i got it. it did only have 1600 miles on it when i brought it home. now it has a lil over 27000.
 
#17 ·
I'm think'n if Compression is good an Bike is running good, well kinda end of story...to a point. Dirty/Oily deposits...just wipe it off now an then. However, IF it be bugg'n the crap outta ya install better Heads....As far as pics, take 'em with a Camera, load 'em to yer Photos and add 'em to yer next reply using the Paper Clip symbol.
 
#18 ·
it was bad enough to the point of oil all over under tank and top of both valve covers. i have washed it.if it happens again i will try to take pics and fig how to post them. what about switching from full synth to either reg dino or a synth blend. i have been running nothing but mobile 1 full synth 20/50.
 
#20 ·
i could fuk up a steel bowling ball in a sand box. im not that mech inclined to do that much.
 
#22 ·
crank case breather was first thing i checked. in the past it had came off the nipple under the tank.
 
#26 ·
as i told others that was the first thing i checked and thats not it.
 
#30 ·
Sure it's not from the breather, mine mists out the breather and if oils on the full level will drop down and run back a long that fin and then drop down and land on crankcase and look like a primary seal leak 😂
Oil travels and is affected by gravity.
Just ask a Panhead owner .
The full line in a Vic I ambiguous too a whole thread could and is done on that fact.
Better to the low side than full as Vics don't really use oil.
 
#31 ·
No I put some strips of cardboard in the fin at the head gasket and that was where it was coming from. I have now pulled the engine and replaced both front and rear cylinder head and base gaskets and put engine back in frame. It is a Major Job! I will finish install this weekend and go for start up with all my fingers crossed and praying that the oil leak was just the head gasket !
 
#32 ·
Resurfaced head and cylinder to flat mated within .001. New gasket and Still drips 1-2oz oil when I stop and turn it off. Got to be bad seal on narrow outer part of gasket, head and cylinder where the oval oil hole runs down from the valve area in the head. No question it is leaking from the gasket area . Any comments besides take it apart and try try again ?
 
#33 ·
Where does your crankcase breather dump to?
For sake of analysis extend the hose away from the engine.
Thoroughly degrease the engine.
Wash it off then dry it thoroughly, finish with air blower.
Get some talcum powder in a stocking and dust the engine completely .
That done, start the engine and begin checking....the oil leak will show itself as the talcum picks up the oil.
It's an old trick.
 
#34 ·
Thank you motorbiker X for your reply. It's really the front cylinder and it is definitely leaking from right under the exhaust at the gasket. I like your talcum powder trick like a fat girl on the wet spot. LOL. I'm at the point now since I've had this motor apart two times now trying to fix this and have done everything even take it to my local Harley guy and sand down The Jug and head check for tolerances and make sure the dowel pins are proper and a new gasket I'm either going to stuff some black RTV or JB Weld putty in there since no gases are escaping just oil after I shut it off has to be the top lip on the outside of the gasket at the oil runs down on from the head and then comes out
 
#37 ·
I hear you Norm, so how do you resurface the head and cylinider if not using machinist block and 220 to 340 grit ? We had a great fit both times and tested with feeler gauge all around mating surfaces before install without gasket in place. Gasket placed properly and perfect torque .That thick double gasket should easily have worked. Studs streched ?? Gasket is not doing job under exhaust in that thin line by the oil hole. Thin rolled strip of JB steel puddy still not off the board to fill that gasket line.
 
#39 ·
True enough, It is a cheap bike $1500USD with 16k miles I picked up at Auction and had this leaking issue. I've tried twice to fix it the right way with no success, so pissed. I will experiment for $7 and if unsuccessful I will take it all apart for the third time and back to the machine shop new gasket and maybe studs. Try Try again.
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