Leak

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I am seeing spots on the garage floor and once after visiting my sick friend at his home (with a mask and staying six feet away) on his driveway coming from under the oil cooler. They are hard to explain. I took the water pump cover off and washed that area down.

There was oil and what looked like water on the inside of my new chrome water pump cover. I did the washing thing with hot water and soap because I didn't see any where it was coming from. My guess, when I swapped out the stock oil filter for the adapter doing the Cool -n- Clean, I didn't use anything under the filter to catch the drippings. Then on one of my rides, I did cross a little water (about 3" deep) that had overflowed the banks of a creek and was on the road.

I'm thinking I got some water in there and it "loosened" the oil that had dripped down there. After I washed it with warm water and soap, I rode it for a bit, then put it in the garage with some white cardboard under that area. This morning there was more of what appears to be water on the cardboard and a tiny bit of oil after like 12 hours. Could still be residual, so I moved the cardboard and we'll see what happens tomorrow.

I know there is coolant lines there. Coolant tank is full. I can't remember if there is an overflow or where it is. Also, there is obviously the oil lines I installed. They appear to be dry.

Is there anything else in that area that could be leaking? I'm hate having a leak, and I may not, but if I do, I want to fix it quickly.

[Fearless]

I am seeing spots on the garage floor and once after visiting my sick friend at his home (with a mask and staying six feet away) on his driveway coming from under the oil cooler. They are hard to explain. I took the water pump cover off and washed that area down.

There was oil and what looked like water on the inside of my new chrome water pump cover. I did the washing thing with hot water and soap because I didn't see any where it was coming from. My guess, when I swapped out the stock oil filter for the adapter doing the Cool -n- Clean, I didn't use anything under the filter to catch the drippings. Then on one of my rides, I did cross a little water (about 3" deep) that had overflowed the banks of a creek and was on the road.

I'm thinking I got some water in there and it "loosened" the oil that had dripped down there. After I washed it with warm water and soap, I rode it for a bit, then put it in the garage with some white cardboard under that area. This morning there was more of what appears to be water on the cardboard and a tiny bit of oil after like 12 hours. Could still be residual, so I moved the cardboard and we'll see what happens tomorrow.

I know there is coolant lines there. Coolant tank is full. I can't remember if there is an overflow or where it is. Also, there is obviously the oil lines I installed. They appear to be dry.

Is there anything else in that area that could be leaking? I'm hate having a leak, and I may not, but if I do, I want to fix it quickly.

Two years ago I had my stator and voltage regulator was bad replaced stator because of an oil leaking seal, soaked the bottom of Shiney. It was almost a year before all the residual oil got out of the frame rails keep a fresh supply of card board on hand I did. Run it and watch it. Sort of rust proofing LOL Fred

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Two years ago I had my stator and voltage regulator was bad replaced stator because of an oil leaking seal, soaked the bottom of Shiney. It was almost a year before all the residual oil got out of the frame rails keep a fresh supply of card board on hand I did. Run it and watch it. Sort of rust proofing LOL Fred

I had a similar issue when I first bought the New 2015. The coolant fill connection neck had a leak, HD had a tech bulletin about it, or maybe a recall, can't remember, but it was a warrantee repair. I kept getting coolant on the ground for like two months. Did a pressure test and it was sound. Took it to HD and they did a pressure test, same result. Since the reservoir was not loosing liquid, I was told "Don't Worry, if it looses the coolant the trike will be fine for at least 50 miles". Not what I wanted to hear.

Finally took the right lower apart, there was coolant in all the little "braces" that were there to strengthen the plastic. Washed all that out, left the parts in the sun to dry, put it back together and no new drips ... ever. It seemed that like oil, it was not "drying" out the coolant. Every bump I hit caused some of it to drip off the supports and run to the inside of the lower. Very annoying. So, I familiar with not being able to trace where "stuff" comes from.

Update:

So this morning I went out and looked at the area where water/oil had been gathering. Nada, the sheet metal was dry as a bone. I'm gonna put the water pump cover back on and see if after riding it and putting the sheet metal back down I still have any drips. I'll worry about it if I start seeing it again. Guessing it was just "left over" oil from the cool and clean install (Oil there from changing the filter will not ever be an issue again ) and then water from washing that area with the pressure washer.

I don't like being a worry wart ... but ... Alan really hates leaks.

[rhino 2]

I had a similar issue when I first bought the New 2015. The coolant fill connection neck had a leak, HD had a tech bulletin about it, or maybe a recall, can't remember, but it was a warrantee repair. I kept getting coolant on the ground for like two months. Did a pressure test and it was sound. Took it to HD and they did a pressure test, same result. Since the reservoir was not loosing liquid, I was told "Don't Worry, if it looses the coolant the trike will be fine for at least 50 miles". Not what I wanted to hear.

Finally took the right lower apart, there was coolant in all the little "braces" that were there to strengthen the plastic. Washed all that out, left the parts in the sun to dry, put it back together and no new drips ... ever. It seemed that like oil, it was not "drying" out the coolant. Every bump I hit caused some of it to drip off the supports and run to the inside of the lower. Very annoying. So, I familiar with not being able to trace where "stuff" comes from.

Update:

So this morning I went out and looked at the area where water/oil had been gathering. Nada, the sheet metal was dry as a bone. I'm gonna put the water pump cover back on and see if after riding it and putting the sheet metal back down I still have any drips. I'll worry about it if I start seeing it again. Guessing it was just "left over" oil from the cool and clean install (Oil there from changing the filter will not ever be an issue again ) and then water from washing that area with the pressure washer.

I don't like being a worry wart ... but ... Alan really hates leaks.

From all the Harleys I've owned over the years [4 New Harleys] The more you monkey with them the more they leak.......

[Mykneesbehurtin]

And whats wrong with a leaking monkey.

[rhino 2]

And whats wrong with a leaking monkey.

They will pee on your boots and that don't smell so pretty...............

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Welp, I went out to install some "Dash Bling, and my nice clean sheet metal had a 2" "puddle" that was oil. Because I had cleaned every thing down, did see a very small spot on the round black thin to the left of the water pump cover. Gravity being gravity, I looked up. The cool part of the cool and clean. Hmm ... got a nut driver and checked the hose clamps. The one on the outside was loose. I tightened it, and It got snug, then

"popped" and became loose.

I put a larger width pool clamp on it. Really good quality SS clamp, I got a tool box on my work trailer full of them. Might replace them all if this solves the issue.

Cleaned it all up with a rag and alcohol (might be Chinese Virus on it ... Just kidding ), the alcohol degreases really well when you dilute the 91% stuff 50/50 with water.

Went of a 45 mile ride, pulled into the garage and the little black round thing (I think it's part of the water pump) was very dry, no oil. I'll keep an eye on it, but, I think it's fine now .... maybe .

[radismukes]

Come on Fuzzy you just miss the good old AMF days of rolling leaks

[rhino 2]

Welp, I went out to install some "Dash Bling, and my nice clean sheet metal had a 2" "puddle" that was oil. Because I had cleaned every thing down, did see a very small spot on the round black thin to the left of the water pump cover. Gravity being gravity, I looked up. The cool part of the cool and clean. Hmm ... got a nut driver and checked the hose clamps. The one on the outside was loose. I tightened it, and It got snug, then

"popped" and became loose.

I put a larger width pool clamp on it. Really good quality SS clamp, I got a tool box on my work trailer full of them. Might replace them all if this solves the issue.

Cleaned it all up with a rag and alcohol (might be Chinese Virus on it ... Just kidding ), the alcohol degreases really well when you dilute the 91% stuff 50/50 with water.

Went of a 45 mile ride, pulled into the garage and the little black round thing (I think it's part of the water pump) was very dry, no oil. I'll keep an eye on it, but, I think it's fine now .... maybe .

Now that it's dry' Try disregard the temptation to Monkey with it.......

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Or it will pee on your boots.

[rhino 2]

Or it will pee on your boots.

Yep, Monkey pee has ruined many a pair of boots, Wife wont let me in the house with Monkey Peed boots gotta leave them in the garage or else ...........

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Now that it's dry' Try disregard the temptation to Monkey with it.......

My money isn't allowed to wrench ... ... he just rides my back

Come on Fuzzy you just miss the good old AMF days of rolling leaks

To be honest, I had a few AMF Harleys, the only issue I ever had was a sporty that was like 50/50 to start. Drove me crazy. Finally found a relay that was loose and would sometimes short out on the frame. You could kick that bad boy all day. Finally it would move and it would start. Never ha a leak. Might be what destroyed my knee.

[Jack Klarich]

My money isn't allowed to wrench ... ... he just rides my back



To be honest, I had a few AMF Harleys, the only issue I ever had was a sporty that was like 50/50 to start. Drove me crazy. Finally found a relay that was loose and would sometimes short out on the frame. You could kick that bad boy all day. Finally it would move and it would start. Never ha a leak. Might be what destroyed my knee.

That is the famous Sportster Knee

I had an ill tempered Panhead that about gave me the same injury till I figured out the retard the spark advance

[Mykneesbehurtin]

My buddy had a 60 Sporty with a magneto on it and it would flat wear him out some days,iv'e seen him kick on it untill he would throw up lol.

[Fearless]

A buddy's XLCH launched me over that "bad boy's" bars one day first and last time never started that b*t*h ... Fred

[FuzzyWuzHe]

A buddy's XLCH launched me over that "bad boy's" bars one day first and last time never started that b*t*h ... Fred

Been there ... done that ... bought the T Shirt, not sure what happened to it

This brings back ... memories ... not sure they were fond ... LOL

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Well with the fingers being in the "Tender Mode", haven't done anything to the Tri, even riding it. This morning I went to the garage to get an old phone holder I've been playing with. When I looked at the sheet metal, there was a little oil that wasn't there a couple days ago. I wiped it down and put it back under there.

The spot was not were it was before, it was farther back from the cooler. I'm guessing when it was leaking, the oil migrated and gravity is finally getting it out of wherever it got to. We'll see what happens (Thanks Mr. President, never said that before, now it kind of sticks with you).

[lightnin]

I'am a firm believer in lock wire pliers, a carry over from the Nam, and if I can't get a hose clamp to stop a leak i wrap the hose with lock wire and pull the winder, no leaks. Just a something to keep in the back of your mind

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I'am a firm believer in lock wire pliers, a carry over from the Nam, and if I can't get a hose clamp to stop a leak i wrap the hose with lock wire and pull the winder, no leaks. Just a something to keep in the back of your mind

Good idea ... I used them all the time in the Navy ... me thinks a trip to Harbor Freight may be in order ...

After cleaning up the oil this morning, just checked it, no oil on the ground ... may it is just stuff that had migrated. The area I put the new clamp is clean and dry ... I live in hope, tired of checking it.

[Jack Klarich]

Good idea ... I used them all the time in the Navy ... me thinks a trip to Harbor Freight may be in order ...

After cleaning up the oil this morning, just checked it, no oil on the ground ... may it is just stuff that had migrated. The area I put the new clamp is clean and dry ... I live in hope, tired of checking it.

The only thing worse than chasing a leak is chasing a Lectric problem

Good Luck Alan, you have the patience to over come this