Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Oil Leak from the Oil Filter - Help

I have a 2004 Speedmaster that has been well taken care of but as of recently I have noticed there has been some oil leakage coming from the oil filter. What could be causing this? Is there too much oil in the oil tank? is the oil filter not properly attached?

Has any one experienced this before? I have included a picture of how much oil is leaking out. This is my bike parked at work in a clean spot. The amount of oil accrued is about 7 hours worth. There is another spot from the other day as well. This has maybe been happing for a month? I really have no idea. I've just begun to notice it.

Could it be coming from the neutral safety switch? Did anything hit the filter?

That looks like a K&N filter. I had one once where the 'nut' delaminated from the rest of the filter and oil easily spewed out everywhere. That could be your problem.

Dude I don't even know what the neutral safety switch is. I some thing about somethings but sometimes I feel like and idiot. Can you explain what that is?

Also regarding whether or not something hit the filter I cannot say. All of my riding for the past couple months has been pretty standard. I will get under the bike and take a closer look.

It is and electric part that threads into the bottom of the trans case near the filter. (if I remember correctly)

Sam, just get under it with a bright flashlight and look for a spot where it's coming from. Take a first look for the obvious and if it ain't clear to ya, wipe it down with a rag and let it sit all day or overnight and then look. Sometimes the oil will blowback in the wind and hide it's source.
Like Ian said, sounds like the NS or a small crack in the filter. If it's the latter, it has significant pressure while running and it should tell on itself. Oil leaks are easy to find.

But den it may jus be sweat drippin' out from undah all dat hosspowah.

This link will help Explain things.

This one is betterer detail.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I went by the shop in daylight and was able to get under my bike. I first thought the leak was coming from the Oil filter but began to notice that oil was on the frame and a little bit back and too the left. Hanging down is what is called a breather tube. I suspect think the oil made it's way down the filter as it is the lowest point but the mechanic I had look at it confirmed it.

I do believe that I may have put in a little too much oil on my last oil change and that the bike is relieving itself. The mechanic said I should clean my air filter and the problem should resolve itself. I don't know about all of you but this doesn't sound entirely accurate. I will post another photo today of my bike. It's sitting in a closed garage for 8 hours while I work. If there is more oil there today then I will know something else is up.

Does something like this happen if you over fill the oil tank on an oil change? My bike only has 11,800 miles on it so i am also wondering if it would be prudent to just replace the neutral safety switch as well?

"The mechanic said I should clean my air filter and the problem should resolve itself."

If the mechanic was a Hardely man and your bike was a sportster, then yes, your air cleaner would be soaked with oil. Except the sportster blow by problem is immortal.

Both of my prefires (2002s) spot the driveway with little oil puddles the size of dimes. More prevalent, the higher the oil level. Englishyankee's blow by is so profuse that he catches the oil in a little jar for re-introduction to the crankcase.

So after pulling out my driveway in Santa Monica I heard an unfamiliar "wooshing" sound in my engine. I pulled over hit the engine cut off switch and looked around. My boot was shiny. I was like what the f**k? I turned on the engine again and saw oil spray out of the bottom of my bike to the right, it looked like a one of those awesome super soakers, I quickly hit the engine cut off switch. I looked behind me to see a trail of oil from where I started to where I currently was. All of about 600 feet. I pushed my bike back to my garage and began an inspection.

The leak was indeed due to the oil filter nut becoming delaminated. I have attached a picture. F**king crazy. Almost all the oil in my bike had been pushed out the filter. I took some of the weekend to make some much needed and desired modifications to my bike on top of replacing the oil filter and oil in my bike. Glad to say she runs smooth and looks better than ever.

[image]http://www.photonocturne.com/p959892700/h63e8a3e0#h63e8a3e0[/image]

All I can say is WOW! Little over tightened!!

Quote:

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The leak was indeed due to the oil filter nut becoming delaminated.

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This is why I will NEVER buy a K&N filter ever again. And when I contacted K&N about it, all I got was the run around.

Btw... make sure that back tire is cleaned right up and free of oil. I used a pressure washer to get mine clean after the filter blew.

The nut is ONLY for REMOVAL.

Are ya'll sayin' they just "fall off"? Or are some of ya'll using it to tighten the new filter?

Installation is "finger tight, then 1/2-3/4 turn".

NEVER used any tool to tighten a oil filter.

I'm sure ya'll ain't, but just askin' for clarification.

erle, I was pondering the same question. Hand tightened is sufficient

Pure 1 Purolator about $7 bucks is the ticket.

I just scored 4 "Pure One Purolators" at WallyWorld for $3.77 each plus the Govs. cut.

DAMN! I'm gonna have to check that out tomorrow.
Thanks. (hope it's here too.)

I only hand tighten my filters. I contacted K&N via their facebook site and made sure to put them on blast with photos and a comment on their wall. I'll let you know how it pans out. If they don't replace my filter I will find another company when it comes time to buy another filter.

Any one have any experience with the oil filters with stainless steel mesh that you clean and reuse?

Some times you feel like a nut,
Some times you don't...
K&N's got nuts,
PureOne's don't...

Don't you have ANYTHING BETTER to do with your time?

Whose hand?

I stop at one full turn after the gasket contacts the base.