Dyna Wide Glide Leak Harley Oil & Lubrication Discuss Dyna Wide Glide Leak in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; I have a '98 Wide Glide that recently started to leak oil. During a ride, I get oil on the left side of the bike as well as on my ...

I have a '98 Wide Glide that recently started to leak oil. During a ride, I get oil on the left side of the bike as well as on my leg. The leak seems to be coming from the front left side of the engine where the head meets the cases. There's no oil stains/leaks above that. I get it on the top of the primary and down the whole left side. Not major but enough to be annoying. I cleaned everything off, let is sit for 3 days (without starting, riding, etc) and there is a small bead of oil right where the head meets the case, on the front cylinder, at the left front corner. Does this sound like a head gasket issue or some type of breather issue? Need help, I spend more time cleaning the bike than riding it!

[frisco-rigid]

Hey there Pete

I think you mean ---where the barrel/cylinder meets the case,--- the head sit atop the cylinder..

It's prob only a cylinder base gasket that gave up..
Will you be doing the work yourself.?
It's not that difficult even if it's your first time.. If you're fairly handy with tools it's pretty straight forward.. Of course you'd be very careful and slow and follow the directions for bolt torque values and lifter adjustment, etc. etc..
Hey, think about it.. If not, see if your shop will let you observe and learn..

Remenber,, you are your sickles best friend and mechanic..

Heck, it could be a breather issue but not likely.. The base gasket still must be replaced now..

Wrightturn,, shovel, dsl8, etc.,, anything to add..?

[HarleyCruiser]

Originally Posted by frisco-rigid

Hey there Pete

I think you mean ---where the barrel/cylinder meets the case,--- the head sit atop the cylinder..

It's prob only a cylinder base gasket that gave up..
Will you be doing the work yourself.?
It's not that difficult even if it's your first time.. If you're fairly handy with tools it's pretty straight forward.. Of course you'd be very careful and slow and follow the directions for bolt torque values and lifter adjustment, etc. etc..
Heck, it could be a breather issue but not likely.. The base gasket still must be replaced now..
Wrightturn,, shovel, dsl8, etc.,, anything to add..?

Frisco, you nailed it pretty good, will add, not letting the motor warm up before reving it up is a main culprit, to this problem. So is old age.
The twin cam comes with o-rings and really help eliminate this problem, and the old heads can be machined to except one.

Thanks for the info. The manual actually shows it as the head gasket (Where the head meets the cases). It only has 6000 miles so I kind of surprised it has to be replaced this early. I'll give it a shot this weekend. Thanks again.

[shovelmike]

The head gasket seals between the head and the top of the cylinder, the base gasket seals between the bottom of the cylinder and the case. Take a good look at the manual and you will see what I'm talking about.
If you are mechanically inclined you should have no trouble if you take it slow and pay attention to details. We're here to help if you need us.