I have a 2008 FLHR with 13k on the odometer. She is bone stock except a high flow air filter and the computer was flashed for it. I started getting a small drip earlier this year and it looked like the timer cover was damp around the gasket so I had the shop install a new one. as the year went on the garage floor shows it is leaking even more now. A quick look shows the timer cover gasket is damp around the gasket bottom and now the transmission and oil tank gasket is leaking both fluids. If I clean everything off and just use it around town it wont leak, but if I hit the highway it starts leaking again. I am thinking it is a breather related problem. Lets hear some ideas please. Thanks!

 

umbrella valves are cheap and easy to change, mileage isn't the issue here but the age. my sport started doing the same thing and changing the valves worked. they will still probably feel soft to you but remember, it works with diff'l pressure not fingers.

 

When you say timing cover I assume you mean cam cover?

While it might be the breathers, I would doubt that the second cam cover gasket would leak unless it was installed wrong.. The cam cover gasket is really pretty stout. Based on your description of the issue. I would suspect that you have leak at either the oil pressure switch or the oil filter. While ridding the oil leak blows back and covers the cam cover.. As it gets worse, it will cover the tranny and oil pan..

Still it's worth while to check all fasteners in the area. Another common place on the primary side is the alternator wire holes. Oil can also leak inside the wires and out the connectors at the regulator. It's worth cleaning in the area real well with spray gunk and water then clean up with break clean, and check after a short ride.

 

I found something interesting on this problem. While checking out other threads I came across one that said the 2 bolts on the bottom of the clutch cable housing also act as the mounting point for the exhaust and they can come loose. I checked and the are loose!!! It looks like the oil is riding down the clutch cable to where it touched the cam cover so when its parked that is where the oil is pooling then drips. When riding it is being forced back along the cam cover. I will update when I tighten everything up. Thanks!

 

Good,,

Another common issue is that the O ring surface for the clutch cable is not machined after chroming. Surface can be pretty bad and oil can leak right at the cable.

 

A little operation we started doing years ago was to drill the 1/16" breather drain-back holes, to 1/8".
Allows oil to evacuate quicker from the breather area.
Another thing that we have subscribed to, since even the Evo days, is to re-plumb the breathers, if problematic, away from the carb, or t/body.
Scott

 

I got the bike home after having the clutch cover gasket replaced and after a little ride its leaking even worse!!!! now I am completly puzzled. I go under the bike and several of the transmission pan bolts are VERY loose and the trans fluid is coming out. Back to the shop to have that gasket replaced. Will let you know.........