Stopping oil leaks with an additive?

[WingNutJC]

Hi Folks.

My 1100 is weeping oil from the front camshaft seals.
I need a temporary fix as I'm not in a position to replace the seals at the moment.

Has anyone used a stop-leak oil additive with any success for this sort of leak?

Greatly appreciate hearing of anyone's experiences.

Cheers.

John C.

[newday777]

Are you using synthetic oil?

[WingAdmin]

I wouldn't. The oil ports in the bike are pretty small. Clog up one of those, and the engine is done. I also question what effect it would have on the wet clutch.

[wing rider 2012]

There is a seal conditioner called AT-205 Re-seal, I've used it on my old pickup that had a rear main seal leaking, it stopped the leak, it been a little over a year and 4 oil changes later, and still no leak. They claim it has no petroleum distillates, that is softens the rubber. All I know is they said it restores the flexability of the rubber seals. I don't know how it would work on a wet clutch system, but if it has no petroleum distillates in it then it should have no friction modifiers either.

Here a link addressing the stuff. https://automobileremedy.com/review/atp ... le-review/

[newday777]

Please be careful on giving advice like this wing rider 2012 as this you have given is fine to use on vehicles that do not have the clutch that is bathed in the engine oil as with your truck.
Our Goldwings have a wet clutch that is bathed in the engine oil and as Scott said, don't use additives as you may well end up with destroyed clutch discs.

There is a seal conditioner called AT-205 Re-seal, I've used it on my old pickup that had a rear main seal leaking, it stopped the leak, it been a little over a year and 4 oil changes later, and still no leak. They claim it has no petroleum distillates, that is softens the rubber. All I know is they said it restores the flexability of the rubber seals. I don't know how it would work on a wet clutch system, but if it has no petroleum distillates in it then it should have no friction modifiers either.

Here a link addressing the stuff. https://automobileremedy.com/review/atp ... le-review/

[tamathumper]

I've never successfully used a "Stop Leak" product, in coolant or in oil, in any vehicle.

Back to what kind of oil you're using,... if you've recently switched to synthetic, I've seen vehicles that ran dino for years start weeping from various seals when charged with synthetic for the first time. A switch back to dino, and "oil's well that ends well".

[WingNutJC]

Thankyou to everyone for your input.

I imported the bike to here Down Under from Michigan, about 4 yrs ago.
Months of exasperating work refurbishing a multitude of small things, and then the were The Carbs !!!!

Engine finally running, so it got the oil flush treatment (a couple of times) and then filled with Castrol Titanium Edge 15W-50 (just happened to have on hand), to go for a first ride.
Went so well I ended up using for about 2000mi. No Leaks.

Decided I should use the viscosity specified by Honda ie 5W-40.
Used Mobil Super 1000 X2 15W-40. Mineral.

That's when the leaking started as well as a rattley idle (changed oil filters - no difference), and immediate plug fouling when pushed above 5000 rpm (oil getting into cylinders).

Quite frankly - engine has not been the same since.

Now: using a shear-free synthetic 5W-40 oil by Penrite. Expensive.
'Shear-free' means the viscosity is not degraded when the oil is crunched between the teeth in the transmission.
Viscosity remains unchanged for the life of the oil. I like.

While the performance seems to have returned, I still have the oil leaks. Grrrr.

The common factor re leaks here seems to the shift from xW-50 to an xW-40 oil. (no difference between mineral and synth).

As time and $$$ are not on my site at the moment, I see two options until I replace the cam seals:

- an oil leak additive or a temporary fill of an xW-50 oil. Hmmm. Thinking out loud ...

Think I'll go for the xW-50 fill.

Will keep you posted.

Thanks again.

[WingAdmin]

Without knowing WHERE the leaks are occurring, it's tough to say what the cause is. Instead of just randomly trying the wrong weight oil, I would clean the engine off (brake cleaner will clean the oil and gunge off), then run it and see exactly where it's leaking. If it's not obvious, dust talcum powder (or corn starch) on it and watch to see where the oil first appears.

This will tell you what your next step should be. If it's a seal, then throwing heavier weight oil (which will increase oil pressures) will probably make it leak worse, not better. The proper thing to do then is to replace the seal, not try to band-aid it with some kind of stop-leak product that could do who knows what to your clutches etc.

[WingNutJC]

I know where the oil leaks are. Stated in my first post. |:-\

[minimac]

The issue with synthetic oil causing leaks has been a non-issue for years. If it's not leaking too badly, just keep cleaning it off and keep an eye on the oil level, until you can change the seals. My money would be that they're worn and no amount of leak sealer of any kind would fix it.
Just slap a couple of Harley decals on the bike and everyone won't pay any attention to the leakage!

[WingNutJC]

Just slap a couple of Harley decals on the bike and everyone won't pay any attention to the leakage!