[BerryNero]

Hello from a total newb!

I salute all the members of this magnificent forum, which made me very broke :broke: and very happy :dance: by making me buy a used V-Rod.

Being a scooter user for 5 years, I took the plunge and bought a 2012 (10th anniversary) silver(Brilliant Silver Pearl!) color VRSCDX. I am a responsible driver so I'm planning to take lessons for a while to be able to control this humongous monster properly.

So, after spending some time on the training field, I've noticed a leak in the cylinder heads (please see the pictures attached) and as a typical panicked 2nd hand V-Rod owner, I looked at this forum to search for clues. Many threads point out to the fact that crankcase breather tubes under the air box are to be blamed.

But since I'm a total newbie, I have no idea what a crankcase is, let alone a breather tube. I'll go the dealer to have this checked, but any help before will be muchhhh appreciated.

As far as I understand, if it's not leaking, it is not a Harley but still wanted to ask:


- What might be the cause? Is it definitely the breather tubes?
- What is the name of that part that lets oil out called? (bottom jug?, rear cylinder?? cylinder head??? case????)
- Would the repair be expensive?
- Urgency of the situation (i.e. stop what you are doing and run to the repairman vs have it fixed before next summer)


thanks in advance!

peace out,
BN

 

[stever975]

...
...I've noticed a leak in the cylinder heads...
...Many threads point out to the fact that crankcase breather tubes under the air box are to be blamed.

But since I'm a total newbie, I have no idea what a crankcase is, let alone a breather tube. I'll go the dealer to have this checked, but any help before will be muchhhh appreciated.

As far as I understand, if it's not leaking, it is not a Harley but still wanted to ask:


- What might be the cause? Is it definitely the breather tubes?
- What is the name of that part that lets oil out called? (bottom jug?, rear cylinder?? cylinder head??? case????)
- Would the repair be expensive?
- Urgency of the situation (i.e. stop what you are doing and run to the repairman vs have it fixed before next summer)
...
...

The joint you say is 2 mm wide is between the cylinder head and the engine case (cylinder). That's where the cylinder gasket sits. A leak there would mean a blown gasket, loss of compression and contaminated coolant. Oil leaks don't usually show there. The oil is more likely migrating there from above and the breather tubes are the most likely source although the cam covers (the next joint up) can also leak oil.

The cost and urgency depend on what the actual source is. If it's the breather tube(s), cost is "low" and urgency depends on how you feel about the oil mess.

 

[BerryNero]

The joint you say is 2 mm wide is between the cylinder head and the engine case (cylinder). That's where the cylinder gasket sits. A leak there would mean a blown gasket, loss of compression and contaminated coolant. Oil leaks don't usually show there.

Legend! Thanks a lot, much appreciated.

Does that mean since there actually is an oil leak there, I might have a blown gasket? The bike runs pretty fine though, with proper power and everything, so I think I don't feel any loss of compression.

cheers,
BN

 

[tbird113]

When my breather tubes leaked, oil was all over the engine. It looked like the whole engine was leaking.
Replace the breather tubes, check the o ring on the shell casing thingy & clean the engine then go for a ride. Check the oil level too

 

[Tie_One_On]

can you find any oil above that mark say 2 inches above?? Feel all around the head and look at hand for oil locations

 

[H-D Heathen]

When my breather tubes leaked, oil was all over the engine. It looked like the whole engine was leaking.
Replace the breather tubes, check the o ring on the shell casing thingy & clean the engine then go for a ride. Check the oil level too

:them:

My money's on it being the breather tube or o-ring .

And stay away from the dealership, most of them know less than you do about the Revolution motor. Do you really want them to learn on your bike?

 

[hedgehanter]

Hi,

Oil leaking from the top end of the cylinder of my 2005 VRSCB (see pic below), not bad really but noticeable. Is there an easy way to fix (gasket replace with engine still in the bike) it or cannot be repaired without taking the engine off?

Picture

 

[BaseballFan]

Does anyone know where to get the breather tube parts? For heck sake i have waited since November for a breather tube that is on back order til MAY. thats 6 months for a part. Come on, I know its a 20 year old VRSCA bike but really? any after market parts available.

 

[rbabos]

Does anyone know where to get the breather tube parts? For heck sake i have waited since November for a breather tube that is on back order til MAY. thats 6 months for a part. Come on, I know its a 20 year old VRSCA bike but really? any after market parts available.

Any part not even v rod is hard to get these days. Breather tubes, generally a week from my dealer. As for replacing to non OEM, a bit of hose, some fitting mods, anything is possible. Make up a modified head bullet if needed with a bar, straight or 90* elbow. Whatever works. If you go with the OEMs coat the outside with dielectric grease. It will stop external cracking from ozone. I've got 8 year old tubes with no cracks.
Ron

 

[2003 VRod Rider]

That front breather tube is just a short piece of what...3/4 ID oil hose? Could be sourced locally. I made my own rear hose in an extra long length so that when I remove the lower airbox I can just pull it aside and let it dangle while I get at the guts underneath. Saves me the effort of having to realign it blindly upon reassembly. I had to glue it to the airbox plate with Seal-All because the previous owner had over tightened the clamps at some point and the round outlet, which is too soft a material IMO, turned into a triangle, which allowed a leak.