Hitchcocks Forum

Just noticed my recently bought Bullet has started to leak oil from the nut in front of the spark plug as you look at the bike from the left side. Popped the nut off and put a copper washer under it but as the engine runs you can still see oil bubbling up past the stud and nut, any idea's? never had it before with my other Bullets

It is not uncommon for that to happen. If you can live with it, just wipe down occasionally, but if it is too messy for your liking and tightening the head nuts doesn't fix it, strip the top end and rebuild it with new base and head gaskets. Regards, Paul.

EddyQ - is it brand new?? If it is then take it back and ask the Dealer to fix it. He has one go at it, and only one and then you can ask for a full refund under the 2015 Consumer Rights Act.

This is the head gasket leaking. Not really a big deal as replacing the gasket is pretty simple. A tiny oil weep is not something to get excited about immediately but it can only get worse with time and will need fixing. If it is a new bike under warranty like Nigelphoto said then this is a job for the dealership. The head should have been torqued down at first service (?)

If the bike is new then this is faulty assembly at the factory. How many miles on it?




General question regarding gaskets - do we use gasket cement? I was a devotee to Hermetite Red. Do we still use that? What is the consensus?

Jefrs, Wellseal is great stuff if you have a decent mating surface. If the surface is a bit dodgy, Hylomar Blue (with gasket or on it's own)

Hi everyone, its not a new bike but a 2003 model, it is bubbling out quite a bit and making to much of a mess to live with and my other Bullets never done it. I have a full gasket set that i bought ages ago and i looked in the head gasket package and there are a few O rings in there as well so may remove the head next week and sort it. Just looked like it should have a copper washer but if its from the head then gasket time it is.

+1 for Wellseal for the head gasket.

The oil is tracking down one of the four internal cylinder head nuts (under the rocker covers). In all probability the washers under the 4 internal head nuts are distorted, which allows oil to seep out between the head/barrel/gasket. The head-nut washers need replacing with Hardened items...


The head will have to come off (In which situation can be a 'BarSteward' to remove) a clearance drill run up through the stud/nut holes in the head, to clean up any distorted Alloy, AND to assist in removing the old dodgy fornicated head-nut washers.


(You will know if you already have hardened washer fitted, as the Drill-bit wont cut)


When the new Head gaskets is fitted, a THIN smear of Hi-Temp silicone sealant applied around the respective holes in the gasket, to preclude any potential repeat of oil-tracking..


IF it has been an ongoing situation, the piston/head will need to be decoked?


IF the oil has been reaching the combustion chamber, (most likely) it will have been contaminating the incoming Air/Fuel mixture and effect the combustion process to the point where it CAN and WILL promote detonation by the slowing down of the combustion process.




If you plan on riding the bike 'briskly'; fix it NOW.

Great Answer Tim NZ that makes sense, the bike engine was fully rebuilt in 2014 by a very reputable Enfield dealer and has had very little use before i got it about a week ago, my thoughts are the head may not have been tightened down after initial running in but i will take the head off anyway. I am a mechanic so look forward to this sort of stuff. Will probably end up getting a few washers etc from our Host to make the job correct.

Head came off no trouble at all thanks to recent rebuild, lovely new piston looking up at me. Going to wip the valves out and get the head blasted to clean it up as best as possible. Blocked off the oil ways guides etc. Mate from work is well used to blasting bike parts at his dads company. Got our hosts washers and new gasket so will keep you informed.