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[justgary]

Took my bike for a ride this morning.  When I got her home and started to wipe her down to put her to bed I noticed oil all over the fins of the rear cylinder.  Upon further review I noticed the air filter was soaked with oil to the point that it is starting to deteriorate.  Pin size holes are now in the air filter.  I took the air filter off and the oil appears to be comming from the vaccume hose off the rear cylinder. The bike was running fine when I put it in the garage other than one backfire this morning (I didnt think much of it at the time).  The first thing I checked was my oil level which is dead on the money.  Due to holes in the air filter I am going to trailor the bike tomarrow to the local Harley Dealer (bike is still under warranty).  Does anyone know what would be causing this? [smiley=nixweiss.gif]  I understand that some oil will be comming from the vaccume hoses (that is why they are there) but it shouldnt soak the air filter to the point of deterioration or splatter the fins with oil. [smiley=nixweiss.gif]  Any information would be greatly appreciated (will help me sleep instead of pacing the floor worring)  
                                         Thank you very much
                                                 Gary

[DCFIREMANN]

Gary do you the stock air cleaner element? If you do replace it with the SE air filter and now it is time to pick your pipes. Even though your oil level is DEAD ON it may be over filled for your bike. Most like to be 1/2 quart low.

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[justgary]

Hey DAWG
       I do have the SE Air cleaner and it is still deteriorating.  I find it hard to believe that this is an overfill problem because it has been almost 2000 miles since my lase oil change.  Anyway I sure hope it is something simple.  Is there anything elese that would cause this that I should be worried about.  Thank you
                                       Gary

[Midnight Rider]

Is it the paper version of the SE air filter, or the older, and much better, K&N type?  The paper version is a POS.

[JCZ]

Is it the paper version of the SE air filter, or the older, and much better, K&N type?  The paper version is a POS.

You want the older style Terry.  Like you said, the paper one is a POS.

[justgary]

It is the newer paper style.  The blue one.  I cant think of any time getting it hotter than any of my other bikes.  bike only has 2900 miles

[Unbalanced]

Gary,

Order a new filter from Zippers or from K&N before you go spending a lot of money and see if the problem goes away.   Another simple test you can have done by a shop is a leak down test.   This will allow you to know what is getting past the rings.   Another thing you can do is do an oil change as Dawg suggested and only put in 3 1/2 qts of oil and see if the problem still exists.   I would not give a nickel for the harley air filters the new ones are horrid and break down way to fast no matter what the dealer tells you about the new black ones they still umm politically correct here SUCK.

Let us know how you it works out.

-harry

[bbsiding]

You may want to check the breather banjo bolts and ensure they are tight. I have had every  103 I've been around have them come loose, or fall out with older style (03) SE filter kit, thus spattering the back jug with oil

[justgary]

Picked up my bike today.  Turned out it was a bad o-ring behind the filter plate.  They replaced the o-ring and replaced the air filter.  I will be looking into another air filter though (the stock one broke down way too quickly).  I cleaned it up and took it out for a quick ride (about 70 miles or so).  Got it home and inspected it and there doesnt appear to be any leaks.  I am going to put some more miles on her this weekend.  Hopefully my problem is fixed.
                                              Thanks Yall
                                                   Gary

[Twolanerider]

Picked up my bike today.  Turned out it was a bad o-ring behind the filter plate.  They replaced the o-ring and replaced the air filter.  I will be looking into another air filter though (the stock one broke down way too quickly).  I cleaned it up and took it out for a quick ride (about 70 miles or so).  Got it home and inspected it and there doesnt appear to be any leaks.  I am going to put some more miles on her this weekend.  Hopefully my problem is fixed.
                                              Thanks Yall
                                                   Gary

When I put the air cleaner kit on the red bike one of those o-rings was cut too.  Had been crimped day one as it was easy to see had been crimped during a careless install.  Fortunately never led to a leak here.  

[justgary]

Put more miles still no leaks.  Must be fixed.  Any Ideas on how to remove the oil from the fins on the rear jug.  Most of the noticable oil has come off easily but there is still some oil in the fins that just will not come off.  Not very noticeable but I notice it .  

[Fired00d]

Have you tried any brake cleaner on it?

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

[Crawdaddy]

I have had pretty good luck with "Bike Bryte", and if your extra careful, heat the bike up and apply "Easy Off" oven cleaner with Q-tips.  (Don't spray it on, and keep it away from paint.)  I spray it in my wife pyrex mixing bowl and apply it by dipping a Q-tip in it.  Works good on stubborn black dots on the hot pipes too.

[Fired00d]

There is a thread with information on cleaning silver engines - getting dirt off silver engine

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

[Crawdaddy]

I think it is a flaw in the air filter.  My Heritage does that and it sprays on the oil tank.  You can hold it up to a light bulb and see all kinds of pin holes.  K & N filters are better.