Looking for root cause of oil leak

[Rineheitzgabot]

Oil residue in circled area. Thoughts on root cause? Your opinions are appreciated.

 

[awg]

Well, on my bagger, I had oil being thrown on the rear exhaust and cover. It was coming from my air cleaner. Put a kotex in the bottom inside of the air cleaner, and it stopped. I guess the kotex absorbed the extra oil.I got that idea from a member on the forum.

 

[Rottweiler]

I would also check the seal on you dip stick. Did you over fill your oil?

 

[HMAN]

04 Pitbull ya say.....check your rockerbox gaskets. Looks like the rear is seeping a bit and@ speed it will spray on ur side covers. It may be the lid gasket or the actual rockerbox gasket? A leaky pushrod cover can do the same... looks like some blackened oil on ur rear fins....?

 

[HMAN]

I would also check the seal on you dip stick. Did you over fill your oil?

Dipstick on a Pit is behind the side covers...

 

[Rineheitzgabot]

04 Pitbull ya say.....check your rockerbox gaskets. Looks like the rear is seeping a bit and@ speed it will spray on ur side covers. It may be the lid gasket or the actual rockerbox gasket? A leaky pushrod cover can do the same... looks like some blackened oil on ur rear fins....?

I think you're on the right track. I'm fairly new to these, but just doing some detective work on where the oil is, and where it isn't, leads right to the area you speak of.

Thanks to you all for your input. I'll keep you posted.

 

[HMAN]

Ive had an 04 Pit for a few years and have seen a lot of screwy stuff. (Some I have caused...lol) Its usually the obvious but not always.

 

[Rineheitzgabot]

Is your exhaust routed on the left? Or is it just really really short? Lol. Or, as it possibly just off in the photo?


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[Rineheitzgabot]

Sorry, answered my own question. It's clearly not installed in the photo.

 

[HMAN]

The Pit needs a battery, the Chopper needed a different look and Im cheap! Lol.

 

[Rineheitzgabot]

Love it. Nice work!

 

[Rineheitzgabot]

The reason I was looking for the exploded drawings, is for the rocker box gaskets noted above. I took my tank off to get it repainted, and I can see now that there’s probably oil seeping from one of those areas. I’d like to familiarize myself with the parts and the way it all operates before I take it apart.


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[john sachs]

Here's a little tip that works for me, re: OIL LEAKS.
1- Remove timing hole plug.
2- Install an air gun on your air hose line.
3- Don't use more than 20 or so psi air pressure.
4- Wrap the air gun, where it enters the timing hole with a rag, so air doesn't leak out too much.
5- Use short air bursts, so you don't blow any gaskets, or seals out.
6- Your leak should appear, either by sound or wet oil.
7- Works like a champ, saving you time, and accurately finding the leak.
John

 

[Rineheitzgabot]

It's either leaking from where the arrows are showing, or from deeper inside--like where the brass-looking thing is (sorry, I don't know the nomenclature). If it's the gasket, what would be the name of that gasket? If its the other thing, what do we call that area? Is it even possible that the brassy area could leak?

As always, your input is super-appreciated.

 

[Rineheitzgabot]

Here's a little tip that works for me, re: OIL LEAKS.
1- Remove timing hole plug.
2- Install an air gun on your air hose line.
3- Don't use more than 20 or so psi air pressure.
4- Wrap the air gun, where it enters the timing hole with a rag, so air doesn't leak out too much.
5- Use short air bursts, so you don't blow any gaskets, or seals out.
6- Your leak should appear, either by sound or wet oil.
7- Works like a champ, saving you time, and accurately finding the leak.
John

Going to try this. Where is the timing hole plug?

Thanks,
Garrick

 

[knothead]

Timing plug is on the primary side....allen head plug right where im pointing

 

[Rineheitzgabot]

Thank you!


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[knothead]

Thank you!


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Your welcome

 

[Jwooky]

It's either leaking from where the arrows are showing, or from deeper inside--like where the brass-looking thing is (sorry, I don't know the nomenclature). If it's the gasket, what would be the name of that gasket? If its the other thing, what do we call that area? Is it even possible that the brassy area could leak?

As always, your input is super-appreciated.

View attachment 107049

Looks like the rocker box gasket

 

[Rineheitzgabot]

Update:

Definitely the rocker box gasket. Pressurized the motor per J Sachs' procedure and it bubbled right where the red arrow on the right is pointing. Slick process and accurately diagnosed. Thanks guys.

Since I'll be replacing them, is there a concise procedure on this site that I can use to guide me? I found one from '08, but no pics.