HarleyTechTalk

I upgraded to the s&s cam plate, oil pump, lifter performance package on my 03 ultra. Im noticing an oil leak coming from the top left corner of the cam chest cover! Do you think its the cam chest cover or the cam plate itself that is leaking? It leaks the most upon acceleration. What are your thoughts?

Isn't the cam plate enclosed completely inside the cam cover? Not sure how the cam plate could cause an external leak.
Are you sure it is not a drip coming off of the air cleaner?
A picture might help.

I concur with Hoss, the cam support plate cannot leak and if the cam cover leaks it could be a gasket leak.
Inspect your air cleaner first.

Armin.

 

Maybe a pushrod tube that goes into the rocker box dripping down? Done that a couple of times...

    Did you torque the cam cover bolts in the proper sequence to the proper torque?

You're not still running the crankcase breathers into the intake are you? Possibly dripping off the air filter/cleaner? Cam cover leaks are rare but...

My brother's 20 year old Evo blew out a cam cover gasket on a ride, a major leak, first and only time I've ever seen it. We literally duct taped it and went straight to the dealer for repair. Tape held well enough to go 10-15 miles.

Quote from: Hossamania on June 30, 2022, 01:33:51 PMMy brother's 20 year old Evo blew out a cam cover gasket on a ride, a major leak, first and only time I've ever seen it. We literally duct taped it and went straight to the dealer for repair. Tape held well enough to go 10-15 miles.

Possibly damaged? I've used the same gasket repeatedly and never the slightest drip providing it wasn't damaged removing the cover.

The cover had never been removed. It just blew a chunk out. I'd not seen it before or since.

Wow. That IS odd. Goes to show anything is possible.

I took off the cam cover and found the gasket had turned in and broke from a bolt mis alignment! Problem solved! When I saw the oil pouring down the side of the cover it was confusing and made me think the lifters could have been a possibility. Thanks for all your thoughts.

What I made and use frequently, to prevent gasket alignment problems is: 3 or 4, 3" lengths of 1/4" 20 all thread rod. Screw them into a few of the areas. Slide the gasket on, and then the cover in question. Works great on cam covers, primary covers, etc. wherever there are odd shape gaskets, or a distance between bolt holes.
John

Quote from: jsachs1 on July 04, 2022, 12:40:12 PMWhat I made and use frequently, to prevent gasket alignment problems is: 3 or 4, 3" lengths of 1/4" 20 all thread rod. Screw them into a few of the areas. Slide the gasket on, and then the cover in question. Works great on cam covers, primary covers, etc. wherever there are odd shape gaskets, or a distance between bolt holes.
John

Same here but I just cut the heads off some longer bolts. Part of my tools now.

good ideas! Will remember that the next time I go in.

QuoteWhat I made and use frequently, to prevent gasket alignment problems is: 3 or 4, 3" lengths of 1/4" 20 all thread rod. Screw them into a few of the areas. Slide the gasket on, and then the cover in question. Works great on cam covers, primary covers, etc. wherever there are odd shape gaskets, or a distance between bolt holes.
John

I read this here years ago too and made some, works great keeping the gasket lined up.