| Author | Message | ||
     Buell82 |
I just changed my engine oil for the spring, and I have done it just the same as I always have. Correct level and all. But this time when I finish a ride I notice that my oil tank has a light film of oil running down the side. Upon further inspection is seems that when I rev my motor my oil plug wants to come out of the tank and a little bit of oil "drools" from around the plug. Any ideas why this is happening? Could it be due to the cold weather I am riding in? Thanks, Mike | ||
| Ratbuell |
Cold weather, or a plugged breather line. Or (I hate to say it) internal engine issues pushing compression into the oil passages. | ||
| Wardan123 |
I'd prefer to think you overfilled it. Take out a few ounces and see if it doesn't stop. | ||
| Jos51700 |
Correct level.....how? What's your method? Excessive compression blow-by usually evidences itself in head-breather issues. I could see it causing oil tank issues, but it would be rare. My guess? He filled it partially wetsumped, and it is overfilled (it doesn't take much). His fill method will answer a lot of questions, and eliminate some variables. | ||
| Cyclonemick |
You put in to much oil! | ||
| Jos51700 |
"You put in to much oil!" Are you sure? Let's not judge too quickly.... | ||
| Jos51700 |
After all, he may have added the proper amount, or even significantly less, and if the bike was wetsumped with multiple quarts in the crankcase, it would still be overfull..... | ||
| Cyclonemick |
Correction: There is to much oil in it! | ||
| Buell82 |
When I changed the oil on my bike I had not hardly ridden it yet this season. I replaced two quarts into the oil tank and prefilled the oil filter...just like I always have. How could I tell if the bike was "wetsumped". Oh and also when I check the oil, the bike is sitting level and I pull the plug my oil level is less then a centimeter from the bottom of the dipstick. Thanks, Mike | ||
| Fasted |
i believe you are overfilled by 1/4- 1/2 qt. mine just blows out a bunch if i use your method. then it stabilizes in the lower range of the dipstick. so i just fill to reach that level when hot, and check at each fuel fill. | ||
| Buell82 |
Thanks for the help...I drained my oil tank about a quarter to a half quart and hopefully that will do the trick. I will let you guys know if this problem doesnt change. Thanks, Mike | ||
| Jos51700 |
Set your oil level with the bike running. This eliminates the possibility of the oil gravity-feeding down into the crankcase (Wetsumping is when the sump in the engine becomes filled with oil. When running, it doesn't store oil like the oil pan in a car, hence a "Dry" sump system). Whether the bike is level or not, hot or not, if the bike isn't running, there is *always* the possibility of the check valve not keeping the oil in the tank (Well, some will always be in the motor, but it's a fixed amount when all is right), and then you have no way of accurately know what actual amount of oil is in the bike. For me, I check the oil when I'm done riding, but before I shut the bike off. The oil is fully expanded from being at operating temperature (Heat=expansion), and I know all the oil is up in the tank. Usually, when I go to ride next time, the tank is practically dry. No puddle, no worries, I know the oil is still in there somewhere. After startup, like a nifty magic trick, the oil level starts to rise as it pumps out of the motor and up into the tank, and I know It's right where I want it, cold or hot. When changing oil, I run it, and drain IMMEDIATELY after shut off (I have actually pulled the plug while the bike is running). I prefill the new filter, add one and a half quarts, (Usually after reinstalling the drain plug....), then start the bike, warm it up, and top off the oil as necessary. If there's a quart in there, it's enough to safely idle the bike up to temp, as the pump won't suck air and therefore maintains oil pressure. Screw the specs, the actual level of oil in the tank can change depending on temperature, draindown, orientation (Level ground? Bike perfectly vertical?), and other variables. It's when it's running that the amount of oil matters most, and so that's when it needs to be checked. This bypasses the wetsumping issue, at least. | ||
| Jos51700 |
Blasts tend to drain down immediately. This phenomenon doesn't apply to XB's as their oil tank is essentially below the crankcase. | ||
| Olbolt |
(Usually after reinstalling the drain plug....), I love this forum - haven't had a good chuckle like this all day! On another matter - isn't it great after a day of pedestrian stuff this time of year to wander out thru the snow to the garage, turn up the heat, turn on the CD's, and do something to a really sweet motorcycle - (both functionally and cosmetically sweet)? A Buell is the pure essence of motorcycling - at least for me. | ||
| Jos51700 |
"Pure essence", long lost on "metric" bikes. Well said! |
