[kyle31490]

In March of '14 I had a leak. Dealer in Florida did a main crank seal, starter seal, and several other seals for $600.

Leak started again once back home within 1000 miles. Local dealer did the shifter shaft seal, starter seal again, and a few others for $500. The starter seal rolled going on so it leaked again right away so they did it again same day for free. This was in April of '14.

Leak started again this April. Last week I took it to the same dealer. They found allll kinds of stuff. They didn't have all the parts so they gave me a car to drive 5 hour round trip to go buy parts from 2 other dealers. I was stuck there anyway over an hour from home so I didn't mind the driving too much. Took 9 hours there altogether.

They changed the starter seal, clutch seal, primary chain, clutch hub, inner primary cover, stator, and misc other things in there. They worked with me on price sunce they missed things last time, and my bill was about $800 this time.

That was 3 days ago.

ITS LEAKING AGAIN!!!

They are closed today so I can't call till morning. It doesn't help that they are over an hour ride from me and I know they are very busy. I put less than 100 miles on it.

I'm pretty upset. I can't afford for them to go on a fishing expedition. Heck I couldn't afford any of the last stuff to be honest. Of course they wanted to sell me a new one so they gave me a low ball of $9000 for mine towards a '15 fltrxs.

Does anyone have any clue why this drip still leaks under the derby cover area? Or what I should do? Something just isn't right here.....

 

[kyle31490]

For what its worth, the bike is a 2010 rgc with a stock 96" in it, and has about 39,900 miles on it.

 

[kyle31490]

Here's a pic with the outer primary off I got at the dealer the other day. The leak appears to be primary fluid again that drips off the lower most bolt off the primary.

 

[kyle31490]

Mine doesn't smoke. I will surely check this but doubt its the issue because the leak does stop for a little while when they replace everything ha.

 

[kyle31490]

That's why they changed the inner primary, they thought the starter was seating properly.

If you are looking at the left side of bike, it drips off the last lower primary bolt just behind the derby cover but in front of rear peg.

 

[kyle31490]

They just did that inner primary shaft seal he other day. I'll e sure they check it again

 

[kyle31490]

Sounds like we've had very similar issues!

I'll ask about the oil pan.

My only other thought is that the bike has an aftermarket starter, but that shouldn't matter I wouldn't think, it seals nicely,

 

[kyle31490]

Sounds promising.

I don't mean to be "tough" with them, but I'm about done shelling out money. They've been inside this engine too many times to keep missing something. I'm pretty much expecting this for free at this point. Its hard enough to burn a day getting it up there and back.

 

[kyle31490]

The tech didn't even test ride it the other day ha. I had to do it and bring it back, but then they didn't even look at it, just said if there's no drip its all good.

Freaky: I'll pm you, I don't wanna post the dealer publicly until I see how they are going to handle this.

 

[kyle31490]

So the dealer was closed Sunday and Monday.

They opened today at 8.

I called them at 8 but service guy wasn't there.

Just called back and got off phone with him. The earliest he can look at it is next Wednesday! 8 days from now....

I'm starting to feel like I'm not a very high priority here. I offered to take it today and leave it, he said it wouldn't matter.

Is there someone at a corporate level I could/should talk to?

 

[kyle31490]

I possibly could try that route. I really want this to go smooth though. I'm not looking to hurt them, I just want their help! I've spent darn good money to have this fixed, and its not fixed.

 

[kyle31490]

I must admit it is sad that I truly believe half of you reading this could fix this issue for the cost of parts and a case of beer, yet I cant pay the HD dealer $70 an hour to fix it properly, 3 times!

 

[kyle31490]

I will check paperwork.

I am 99.8 % sure it is primary fluid.

I have not checked the primary bolts or anything, but I plan to today. It just really looks like the same exact issue ive seen 3 times now. I even had them put new bolts in the primary. This bike is literally going to be like new when I'm done.... I hope.

They did talk me into riding the '15 for ten miles the other day. Sure it was great and all (except that stupid windshield) but I have my bike about where I want it finally, and even if I wanted to go back to a stock bike I surely couldn't afford a new one. I was really hoping to see 70k+ on my '10 before I thought about selling it. And even then maybe I'd just put an engine kit in it. I literally could have bought a complete reman engine off ebay for what I've put into this leak.

 

[kyle31490]

I'll give it a whirl.

I still have dye from the last time I did this. I was primary for sure that time.

 

[kyle31490]

I don't even charge the beer.

Could you pour a little extra salt in the wound while you twist the knife? Haha.

It sincerely would have been cheaper to trailer it to Utah... Jeez.

 

[kyle31490]

I keep checking that, hoping, but its never the case unfortunately.

 

[kyle31490]

UPDATE!!!!!!!


Last week (may 5th) after the service dept told me they couldn't look at it for 8 days (may 12th) I emailed the VP of the dealer. This was his response, on the same day:


-----

Kyle,

I'm sorry for the inconvenience of the return of your oil leak. I have no room the remainder of this week to slide your repair back in and do not want the service team to make a hasty repair with the same results. My suggestion is to take your short trip and upon your return drop it here at the dealership where we can make a proper diagnosis, and elevate this oil leak once and for all. Matt described the amount of the oil leaking and I'm sure with a 300 mile trip you will be fine. A little mess that we can de-grease after the repair. I know you may feel that we are putting you off, and the only other alternative would be to cancel your short trip and bring it in this week and leave it.

Sorry,
"VP"


----


So I took the bike there yesterday and left it so they could get it right in this morning. The service guy called me about 10:45 this morning, and told me they now are "gutting the transmission". They said they did a dye test and it appears to be a trans leak. They think the output shaft is pulling on and stressing a seal. They said it may just be 2 needle valves and bearings, but it also may have scorned the gear cluster.

I'm very nervous at this point.

I don't have money to support things like this, but I'm stuck now. The bike is in a million pieces 75 miles from home.

So I assume most of what they did inside the primary, including replacing the inner primary was not actually needed. I've paid for this leak 3 times so far and now they are digging deeper. Ofcourse I want it fixed for good, but I'm starting to feel like they are fishing. Why didn't they do a Dye test the FIRST time? or Second time?

This sounds scary expensive. I fear my bike may be sitting there for quite some time before I can come up with the funds to pick it up.

I don't even really understand what he's talking about. I hate having all my trust in someone I'm not sure I can trust.

 

[kyle31490]

MORE BAD NEWS!!!!

They just called again. They now say that the main shafts and the bearings in the trans are bad. They cant order parts till tomorrow. They said it will take a WEEK to get the parts. And they estimate the cost to be another $900 out of my pocket!

I straight up don't have it.

And to make it worse, I've been looking forward to the Ohio meet and greet ride from this forum for Months! That ride would have me leaving in 9 days. The bike might even be done by then. And even if it is (which will be right to the wire), I sincerely do not have close to $900 more dollars to throw at this.

In the end, this leak will have cost about $3000 total. I could have bought a used engine/trans for less. I'm really up a creek with no paddle...

 

[kyle31490]

Calgatyglide: I'm taking that advice. I am starting to feel like I need to approach this like a lawyer.

 

[kyle31490]

I also now feel justified in outing this dealer.

This is Harley Davidson of Jamestown, in Jamestown, NY.

I am NOT saying they are bad just yet. How they handle this situation will determine my end opinion. I need my bike back in 8 days. And I need compensated properly.

A business needs to be their best when they are at their worst. I understand crap happens. How this is handled will determine the integrity of Jamestown HD.