| Author | Message | ||
     Father |
About 6 months ago I made an oil catch can for my S3T. I mounted a breather on top of the can so the engine can still breathe. Up until recently it has been relatively warm here in Arizona and I have been running Mobil 1 V-Twin oil and the catch can has always been empty. I changed the oil last week and used Harley Synthetic. I went for a long distance ride (400 miles of speeds of 60 to 80) yesterday into an area where humidity was a little higher (it just rained) and it was colder (30s to 50s). I drained my oil catch can near the end of the ride and liquid came out, about 5 tablespoons worth. It had the appearance of a milkshake but smelled like gas. It had a little water in it too. I think that the water was likely condensation (condensation that steamed then turned back into water in the coolness of the can). After letting the substance sit in a cup overnight some oil and water separated but still left a milkshake looking substance in the cup that appears to be hardening and smells somewhat like gas or old oil. Any thoughts? | ||
| Dave |
Sounds normal to me ... I get the same out of my S3 catch can. A petroleum product/by-product and water shake. DAve | ||
| Chasespeed |
My X1 does this when its humid as well.... I just keep an eye on the oil, adn the level, drain the catch can...and call it good... Hasnt caused me any harm this year(about 20k in 6 months) Chase | ||
| Blake |
It's that darn cholesteroil.  Seriously though, sounds like normal crankcase breather exhaust for humid cool weather conditions. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
I've just installed my Drummer catch can and I'm getting a surprising amount to water out of it. A 70 mile ride produced about a shot glass full of clear water. A 20 mile ride today was about a teaspoon full. I'm not seeing much oil, mostly clear water. I've only got 1100 miles on the bike so it's still pretty tight. It is stored inside in my heated shop so it's never in the damp overnight. | ||
| Bugman |
Don't worry. It's normal. Oil comes out the breather and a little water mixed in is no cause for concern. Condensation happens. | ||
| M2nc |
This has been a source of aggravation to me with the M2. I have had fluid out the vent tubes every time I take an extended higher speed (70-90mph) ride. We found that the seal between the crank case and the transmission was bad and it was replaced. That made things better but then I goofed with my vent tubes when I installed the Force Winder intake and actually blocked them, of course making the matter worse. Even with all issues resolved I still see some fluid coming out during long interstate runs so it make me feel better that I am not alone here. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Water is a natural byproduct of combustion. In colder temps, it will condense out as liquid. In otherwords, baby snot on your boot. This is why I don't understand the catch can things. Why save it? is it worth money? | ||
| Tsispyder |
So it doenst go on your boot, chrome, carbon fiber or anything you have int he area. Keeps it from getting slick on your back tire( draining it to the road) adn makes it convenient to empty. I like mine, nad empty it every few days, not much in there, but something. Usually green and dirty lookin. | ||
| Slaughter |
The thought behind the catch can is it keeps it out of the intake, since all the breather hoses normally do is pump that gunk right back into the engine. Besides, a well-mounted catch can just LOOKS cool! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Just mount a bare hose to right in front of the rear tire. It only poops out a drop per 8 miles. It won't lube your tire. | ||
| Slaughter |
A few people do just that - run two lines up under the rear fender and use a crankcase vent filter on the end to prevent sucking dirt back into the lines. I think they use a 3/8 hose - really simple to setup. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
You shouldn't mount it high. It will collect a large volume of crap in the low section and then throw it all out at once. It wil make matters worse. I have mine about 5" from the ground without a filter. There is no point in having a filter. At least on mine, the air only comes out. Do XB engines have umbrella valves? | ||
| Monorad |
my breather tubes run into a small filter just near the oil cooler. on long fast rides i get a nice sheen of gunk on the chin fairing and my left boot. doesn't get on either tire though. all the road grime kicks up and gets on the gunk. nice and sludgy. i guess, i just like my bike dirty - looks better that way. matches the flat black spraypaint that i covered everything with.  | ||
| Tsispyder |
this is mine http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/9135/img08915mb.jpg only becuase i dont know how to post pics on here | ||
| 2000m2 |
My catch can produces the same milkshake/water concoction. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Put some cocoa in there. Shaken not stirred. | ||
| Kuuud |
This reminds me of the 60's era Triumph's...they ran a hose along side the rear fender and ended it by the license plate...BEYOND the rear tire... Jerseyguy...I know it's tempting to keep your bike in your heated garage/workshop, but that can also create problems. If it's cold out and you bring that bike into heated storage, condensation will form everywhere, eventually corroding all kinds of things like aluminum wheels, and various other unplated or unchromed parts! | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Ku - Yeah, but I can sit in my office & look at it across the shop floor.......  | ||
| Rick_a |
I have a 1qt catch can with overflows to the aircleaner. One time I didn't drain it for a few weeks and got about a half cup of water with some usual frothy crap on top. I used to have a small breather coming off it high under the gas tank, but the fumes when hot would go right into my helmet at a standstill. | ||
| Seth |
I used to have the "milkshake" crap mist all over my swingarm until I decided to stop being so lazy and made an 11oz. catchcan. Bye-bye blow-by... | ||
| Slaughter |
My BSA used crankcase vent to oil the chain. | ||
| Ara |
Does anybody know a website where I can have a look at the Drummer catch can? |
