Harley Davidson WLC scavenger oil line leak

[epazikas]

Hello coleagues, I have recently serviced my motorcycle scavenger oil pump and I replaced its nipple, however after I assembled all together, I noticed a small leak (see pictures). The oil line is tightened well, but still a bit oil oil is dropping down. Any suggestions? Should I use perhaps some sealant? Thank you for helping me out.

[dukekleman]

Epazikas,
Do your best to verify that there are not any cracks in the pump casting, oil nipple, oil line nut and the taper area of the line itself.
If those items appear to be OK along with all other Gasketing, you can assume the fitting threads are wicking oil and the cause of your leak.
I can see signs of this in the one photo showing it assembled, I'm just not sure if it was all washed away clean after assembly. It's possible I'm seeing assembly oil residue in the image.
Regardless if things check out, use Loctite Thread sealant 565 in its correct intended way of application on that type of connection and your leak will go away.

Hope this helps,
Duke

[T. Cotten]

How was the replacement nipple installed, Ed?

If it was threaded into the casting, there would be the most likely leak.

I silver-soldered a couple easily, with no need for tapping threads at all.

....Cotten

[Peter Cooke]

Regardless if things check out, use Loctite Thread sealant 565 in its correct intended way of application on that type of connection and your leak will go away.

Just curious, would EZ Turn work well in this application or not as good as the Loctite?

[dukekleman]

Peter,
I can not say because I don't have the years of experience with the EZ Turn product like I do with Loctite 565.

However, It very well might, perhaps someone else has the experience with EZ Turn results they can share...

[epazikas]

How was the replacement nipple installed, Ed?

If it was threaded into the casting, there would be the most likely leak.

I silver-soldered a couple easily, with no need for tapping threads at all.

....Cotten

hi Cotten, thank you for your reply! The new nipple was threaded into the oil pump, then checked for leaks and a red Loctite was used at the end. The work was not been done by me but by a specialist so I assume was done right, but we never know.
I am attaching a few pictures from before the work was done, I think the oil pump didn’t show any signs of damage, but feel free to comment.
What I did now was to apply a tin layer of Hylomar blue around the threads. I hope this is going to resolve the problem. I was told that Hylomar is recommended for these kind of applications because different than silicone, it doesn’t harden and it is not permanent, but I am not an expert.

[epazikas]

Epazikas,
Do your best to verify that there are not any cracks in the pump casting, oil nipple, oil line nut and the taper area of the line itself.
If those items appear to be OK along with all other Gasketing, you can assume the fitting threads are wicking oil and the cause of your leak.
I can see signs of this in the one photo showing it assembled, I'm just not sure if it was all washed away clean after assembly. It's possible I'm seeing assembly oil residue in the image.
Regardless if things check out, use Loctite Thread sealant 565 in its correct intended way of application on that type of connection and your leak will go away.

Hope this helps,
Duke

Thank you very much for your reply and help.
There are no cracks on the oil pump, so from that perspective I think we are good, but honestly speaking I would prefer to even consider to have a scavenger extra oil pump as spare, one never knows when it is needed and I only have the feed oil pump as extra.
i applied a hit of Hylomar yesterday before I read your comment, I hope it will work and that I did a good choice. In the worst case scenario I will undo the exhaust pipes and remove the oil pump again for a proper check, but I am optimist and hope this to not be necessary.

[T. Cotten]

Since the flare nut threads are a much larger diameter than the threads into the casting, Ed,..

Any loosening of the flare nut will tend to back out the insert.

Thus I used silver-solder to not only seal, but secure the repair.

...Cotten
PS: No threads seal themselves, except tapered pipe threads, which are notorious for associated stress-cracks.

PPS: Hylomar never impressed me.

[loch]

EZ Turn worked on my VL oil lines/threaded nipple connections. No more oil dripping on the generator from the pump feed line that crosses in front of the engine.

- Loch

[Peter Cooke]

EZ Turn worked on my VL oil lines/threaded nipple connections. No more oil dripping on the generator from the pump feed line that crosses in front of the engine.

- Loch

Excellent, thank you. That's another option then.

[Buster]

I use EZ Turn on oil line fittings & plumbers nuts and compression fittings on intake manifold on my VL. Seems to stay in place and works well.

[T. Cotten]

Excellent, thank you. That's another option then.

Everybody loves another goober, Peter!

How many existed when the machines became legendary icons?

How did they ever get along without them?

....Cotten

[loch]

EZ Turn worked on my VL oil lines/threaded nipple connections. No more oil dripping on the generator from the pump feed line that crosses in front of the engine.

- Loch
Excellent, thank you. That's another option then.

I would like to add and point out that the connections are in good condition. I don't know what the results would be if there's any damage. I know that EZ Turn did not seal the leaky fuel valves. After grinding them I thought they were fine but my grind job was insufficient. They eventually leaked again even with the EZ Turn.

[loch]

Everybody loves another goober, Peter!

How many existed when the machines became legendary icons?

How did they ever get along without them?

....Cotten

Cotten, I think there was a lot of maintenance going on. I'm reading C. K. Shepherd's "Across America By Motor Cycle." He rebuilt his new Henderson at least 4 times in the distance between NYC and San Fransisco. The roads of 1919 America were not ideal so that might have a lot to do with mechanical issues he dealt with.

[T. Cotten]

No doubt, Loch!

My point is that they didn't depend upon the magical elixirs we cherish today.

They knew how to fix it right.

....Cotten