Hitchcocks Forum

So I'm slowly picking my way round my new (to me) 2009 Electra EFI and trying to work out where the oil is coming from.
It seems to be on top of the crankcase, under the starter motor, first thought was that it was coming from the cylinder base gasket but there doesn't seem to be any oil that high up. There is what appears to be a sensor (or switch?) screwed in right by the starter which also has oil around it. Actually, it may be overstating the case to call it a leak, more of an oil mist really. Any ideas where it's likely to be coming from, any known problems? Cheers,,

Having had 2 EFI's the first one being an early model with the same problem you have described. The oil mist gradually became an oil run down the front of the crank case. The culprit was the housing covering the chain drive to the starter motor, a common problem which was sorted under warrantee in my case.

Removing the cover and cleaning it up thoroughly with brake cleaning fluid or some sort of solvent and re sealing with clear silicone bathroom sealant should do the trick if it is the housing.

A method I use to find a difficult to trace oil leak is to thoroughly clean an area where oil is present and apply a light dusting of French chalk or talcum powder which will then act as an indicator as the leak reappears.

Thanks for the reply Phil,
I suspected that would be the most likely culprit, I shall dig out the instant gasket at the weekend and have a play.