Leak from behind spark plug : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

bcomes · 09-17-2009, 09:42 PM

03 Ultra with 25K miles. I noticed something leaking out from behind my rear spark plug (from the "tunnel" that goes through the cylinder head). It's a slow leak...more like an ooze. It looked the color of clean oil but is sticky (very sticky - like tree sap) to the touch. I looked in my service manual and see that there is a "breather assembly inside the rocker housing. Would this allow oil to leak out at this location? If so, is this an indication of some excessive pressure in the rocker housing; i.e. a burned valve? Furthermore, I'm assuming it's oil (I don't know what else it could be). I'm surprised synthetic oil (or any oil for that matter) would get sticky like that.

Any help is appreciated.

Brad

Mtclassic · 09-17-2009, 10:55 PM

I don't think any oil would get sticky like you are describing. you can always use the smell and taste test LOL.

1949shoebox · 09-18-2009, 12:03 AM

there are breather baffles in the rockers. under the breather baffle there are two little holes- when you up compression it helps to drill those holes a bit wider for the reason you describe. oil gets trapped in there and blows out through your intake or gaskets. oil can get sticky up there under certain conditions oil does not flow through the rockers like a river oil travels up your tubes and in sprayed in there to lubricate springs

Jshuster · 09-21-2009, 02:53 PM

Lower rocker box gasket is leaking and the oil sits on top of the head and collects dirt and gets warm and cold causing goo.

bcomes · 09-21-2009, 09:00 PM

Jshuster, that looks to be about where it is coming from....and "goo" is a good description of it. I've got about six months left on my extended warranty so this one is for the shop. I just hope more works coming out of the shop than going in. My experiences haven't been good so I try to stay out of there as much as possibe. Can they take the top off without lowering the engine?

Mtclassic · 09-21-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcomes

Jshuster, that looks to be about where it is coming from....and "goo" is a good description of it. I've got about six months left on my extended warranty so this one is for the shop. I just hope more works coming out of the shop than going in. My experiences haven't been good so I try to stay out of there as much as possibe. Can they take the top off without lowering the engine?

yes they only need to remove the rocker covers but before I took it in I would spray it with brake cleaner and clean it up good and then go for a long ride and try and see where it is coming from.

TERMINKNOTTER · 09-25-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jshuster

Lower rocker box gasket is leaking and the oil sits on top of the head and collects dirt and gets warm and cold causing goo.

Sounds about right. I had the same issue. When I rebuilt the cam chest I pulled the covers and replaced all the gaskets and breathers. No more leak.