| Author | Message | ||
     Dma251 |
I have a 2002 X1 white lightning with 7500 miles, and about 150 miles ago I checked the oil, and possibly didn't put the oil cap on tight enough, and a little ways down the road I had oil spewing out all over the back half of the bike. Today I went to change the oil, and after changing the filter (a Napa gold 1516) and adding 2.5 qts of Amsoil 20-50 I started it up and let it idle for a minute or so. Suddenly the oil cap rocketed into the air blowing about a qt of oil into the air and all over me, the bike, the car next to it, etc. Should you be able to run the engine with the oil cap off and have the oil level stay constant, because if I start my bike up with the cap off, the tank immediately begins to fill with oil. What is wrong? | ||
| Jon |
You need to let the engine run and that means ride the bike for a few minutes. Then check the oil level. When I first changed the oil, I did the same thing. If you don't run the bike first, the cold oil level will make you think you need more and then once the bike warms up with too much oil, the cap blows and you've got oil spilling all over. Not a fun clean-up. | ||
| Jon |
I have a 2001 X1 Lightning, BTW. | ||
| Phatkidwit1eye |
Exactly as Jon said. | ||
| Dma251 |
So it doesn't have anything to do with the oil filter, or some pressure valve or anything? Great! I didn't start the bike today when I changed the oil, just pulled out the drain plug and let her drain... So when the engine is shut down a certain amount of oil slowly drains back into the engine, lowering the level in the oil tank - but when you drain the tank directly after running the engine warm, you are getting all the oil? Tell ya the truth, this it the first time I've ever changed it - I've only put about 1500 miles on it. Just so I understand - should you be able to run the engine without oil bubbling out of the oil tank with the cap off? | ||
| Phatkidwit1eye |
I have never gone as far as let my bike warm up with out the cap on.So I don't know. I just check my oil after I ride when the oil is nice and hot. I did the same thing you did and overfilled. How much oil did you put in? To the full mark? Normally I go just a bit above the low mark and take a quick spin and recheck. That normally puts me almost where I need to be. Then I just ride as normal checking and adding after each ride. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
You didn't just modify the breather or the air intake recently did you? | ||
| Dma251 |
No, the bike is completely stock. And I drained the oil tank, changed the filter, and added 2.5 qts. per the manual, BUT I failed to warm it up like the manual states to do, also. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I've fallen prey to the same predicament. Not only that, I couldn't find my cap for a while. | ||
| Bomber |
overfilled oil bag is all it is -- a cold motor means that a fair amunt of what used to be in the oil bag drained back into the engine, where it will sit ahppily waiting to be put back into circulation upon startup -- if the engine's cold, when you drain the tank, you will NOT be getting 2.5 quarts outs, or anything near it, so, when you add oil to a cold engine, zippo bang, and hey presto, too much earl! your Buell will, if presented with more oil than it wants in the system, simply spew the excess out -- it's a feature, AND a benefit ;-} | ||
| Buelliedan |
I think everyone here who changes there own oil has probably had it happen to them so don't feel bad. My oil cap hit the ceiling in the garage and oil went at least 10 feet in all directions. Fun clean up to say the least!!  | ||
| Dma251 |
Thanks alot everyone for putting my mind at ease. Today I will go out and buy some more oil and do it right. | ||
| Denfromphilly |
Been there and done that, at least the oil shines up the powdercoat frame real nice.....Den 99X1 | ||
| Wardan123 |
I too have that oil stained t-shirt! Mine popped at the end of my road as I was pulling into traffic! All of that oil dripped onto my rear tire and I was sideways quick! I pulled over and replaced the cap and made a b-line for the closest carwash. | ||
| Angushendrick |
I refer to this as the Automatic Oil-Level Adjustment System. | ||
| Dma251 |
The thing about is, I blew the cap while riding a while back because I forgot to push it all the way down when checking it, so I sprayed all kinds of oil on the back wheel, brakes, tire, etc. This ruined the rear brake pads, and I JUST changed them out the other day with new EBC pads, but had not had a chance to run them yet, so when the geyser came, the first thing I threw a rag over was the new rear pads! I hate to waste $20 worth of oil, but definitely didn't want to buy another $35 set of pads again... | ||
| Mmmi_grad |
So much fun , fill the night before a ride , take off from driveway and almost dump your bike a couple times........looks back and see oil everywhere. heheheh hilarious!!!!!!!!! Ruins Sat morning rides. always fill now with bike running at least a few min. | ||
| Jackbequick |
The service manual says to use a total of 2 quarts of oil. It says to put 4 ounces in the filter before you mount it (I'm assuming it primes the oil pump/avoids not having any oil suction and also speeds up getting the oil pressure up) and then add the balance of the two quarts (1 quart and 28 ounces) to the tank. Then do the warm up. I did it that way and it was just barely touching the dip stick (on the side stand) after warmup. After a short test ride it was still there so I added about 6-8 ounces more to get a good visible reading on the dipstick. I have found it to be almost 1/2" below the stick after it set for a couple of days. But it came right back up after a warm up. I blithely asked here if adding another 1/2 quart to get more oil in the supply lie and got all the warnings and horror stories you did. I'm spending a lot more time in the KV now. There is a !lot! of good info in there. Jack | ||
| Tunes |
Boy, does this sound familiar! AFTER you have the proper oil amount, the oil level should be about 1/2 way between the marks on your dip stick/cap... cold. When I change my oil, I do like the rest. Drain hot. Oil in filter and on gasket. 2 qts in the oil tank. Take a ride. Top off oil CAREFULLY. It's easy to think the oil tank is not completely full... and your right, it better not be or your next bath is oil based. I took foam gasketing and placed in on the underside of my seat just above the oil filler cap to prevent the cap from coming off. It will "pop" if I have the oil too full, but it won't come out. So now I wind up with a "vibble" instead of the Exxon Valdes. Enjoy your Buell! | ||
| Dma251 |
According to my 2002 Factory service manual it says add 4 oz to filter, and the rest of 2.5 qts to tank. Maybe the manual was updated. Whats the KV? | ||
| Tramp |
The pressure bypass in that NAPA filter is fine for HD engines..... | ||
| Rek |
I do all my own oil changes but have yet to find a good method of keeping the oil from the filter off my pipes and oil-cooler. Tried carboard sheild, plastic bags (bad idea!) and sheet metal. Any suggestions? Rob | ||
| Djkaplan |
I poke a hole in my filter and let it drain while I do something else. It still makes a mess, but it's a lot less. | ||
| Denfromphilly |
The oil mess changing the filter is so stupid, I have seem choppers with the filter vertical, I want one of those! Tired of oil in my regulator and on the headers. I use a sheet of cardboard and some old towels to soak up the mess....ick!! I did change to full synthetic last oil change and after 1000 miles it still looks pretty clear, not all black like it used to get. That's Cool! | ||
| Silas_clone |
I read the manual at night [sorta like a bedtime story] and unless i was really sleepy, i think it said 4oz's in the filter, TWO qts in the tank, then run it and check the oil level. I like to disconnect the return line on my ironhead, start the engine and have it spit all the residual crankcase oil out before it returns to the tank[usually about 4 ozs] I think this has helped...is there a way to do this with these newfangled oil systems? [much improved, but still newfangled] | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I asked the dealer how they take out the filter without making a mess of the whole front end. That said that they just let it dribble all over the place and then hose it off with brake parts cleaner. That stuff is great! Just keep it away from your painted rims. I was using it to clean out my rims and found the rag coming up BLUE. It didn't make any noticable damage but I stopped using it on painted surfaces after that. | ||
| Denfromphilly |
You could pull the plug wires and just let the starter motor turn over the motor I suppose. I always wondered if I could snake a little hose in the oil filer or down the oil tank lines to get the residual oil out. Would a petcock added to the return line at the oil pump work? | ||
| Bomber |
silas -- you bet there is -- do the same thing, sorta -- disconnect the return line to the oil bag, start her up, and let the old oil run into the catch pan, while, of course, adding fresh oil to the bag -- after it starts to run clear, shut her down, button her up, check the level (did I mention to do with with a warm, not cold engine?), and pop the plug back into the top of the bag "5-quart oil change" I do it every 2/3 changes oo gets a buchs spooge outa the motor YMMV, as always | ||
| Denfromphilly |
Good Idea!! | ||
| Sleez |
i made an oil filter catch thingy from a gallon milk jug, cut it in such a way that it catches all of the dripping oil, leave the cap on the jug, and drain into pan, works like a charm. | ||
| Dano |
I sure am glad that I saw this post because the same thing happened to me yesterday. I was taking a nice slow ride around the neighborhood on my '99 X1 and when I pulled into the garage there was oil dripping everywhere over the back half of the bike. The oil cap popped off during my ride. I'm hoping that it wasn't pushed in all the way, because it took 2 hours to clean the bike and I don't need that much fun again any time soon. |
