| Author |
Message |
    
Daninr8
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2015 - 08:39 am: | 
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What can cause the engine on a Buell Blast to create enough backpressure to blow the dipstick (filler cap)?
I went to start my 2009 Buell Blast this morning after riding it for the first time yesterday, and it started up just fine, but within a minute of it starting, it blows it's cap and shoots it's oil everywhere.
It ran yesterday, and I did notice a small leak coming out of the dipstick area, but it seemed that when I started the engine that the dipstick untwisted itself a little when I first started it up.
I have noticed that there is a bolt missing from the left hand side of the bike, that seems to be for a motor mount. It is also missing one of it's drain plugs on the left hand side. Top drain hose. It doesn't seem that any oil is going into that tube, because I haven't noticed any oil coming out of that hose.
PLEASE HELP ME. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2015 - 09:19 am: |
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The top drain plug is for the crank breather. I'm not familiar with how it works, but might it need to be plugged? I'm assuming the oil is getting pumped out the dipstick because of excessive crankcase pressure, and with the drainplug missing the crankcase vent is not working right, but I'm just talking out of my ass. |
Gearheaderiko
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2015 - 10:36 am: |
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Correct, that would be out if your ass
It's very likely your oil is overfilled.
It takes 1.5 QTs to do an oil change.
Between the lines on the dipstick is about 8 oz NOT 1 quart.
The oil must be checked hot (not after idling for 5 or 10 minutes) after a decent ride. 15 minutes to an hour depending on temperature. A cold Blast, especially when sitting for more than a day, will show ZERO oil. Nothing on the dipstick and nothing even visible in the frame. However, after it is fully warmed up, it will show full (full: top line on the dipstick). It's best to check it when you just shut it off for the day, before you put it away (asap-check it immediately!!) |
Gearheaderiko
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2015 - 10:43 am: |
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Don't worry about the missing plug, it's of no real consequence.
The missing engine mount bolt could turn into a VERY big deal. The rest of the bolts may break or loosen and that can lead to catastrophic (very bad) failure. |
Daninr8
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2015 - 11:48 am: |
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I checked it the yesterday after a 19 mile ride, and it showed the oil level at the top fill mark. I checked it standing the bike straight and level, and within 2 minutes of actually turning the bike off. I'm having the HD Dealer get me a new plug for the hose, and a new dipstick with that plastic disk on the bottom. I'm just wondering if the crankcase vent is being blocked and that is why I was having oil leak. If so, where is the crankcase vent and how do I check and make sure that all my lines are clear? |
Gearheaderiko
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2015 - 08:16 pm: |
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The PCV is on top of the valve cover, at least it starts there. It's routed to the carb and vents there. Where the plug is missing is the alternate vent. With the plug there it just fills up with condensation.
So check the hose from the rocker/valve cover back and make sure someone didn't plug it (which you already surmised).
(I am assuming that you checked the oil with the engine off? Sounds dumb, but early manuals actually said to check it that way, maybe they still do?!) |
Daninr8
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2015 - 11:06 pm: |
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Yes I checked it with the engine off. I'll check the vent line on Saturday, but can someone please tell me where I can find a picture of where the PCV is, and do I need to remove the airbox to check the other end of the vent line?
I did find my dipstick when I got back from work. It was about 50 to 100 feet away from the bike, but it was intact so that helps. I'm still not sure if the dipstick has an oring on it or not, and am wondering if anyone can help me answer that. Thanks for all the replies and help so far.
(Message edited by daninr8 on April 30, 2015) |
Gearheaderiko
| | Posted on Friday, May 01, 2015 - 02:14 am: |
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It is on top of the valve cover. If you don't know where the valve cover is, perhaps you should not be working on your bike (no offense). It is on the highest point of the engine. It is hidden by the gas tank, but still can be seen.
Or you can trace the hose missing the plug and it should end up at the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation-valve) eventually. |
Gearheaderiko
| | Posted on Friday, May 01, 2015 - 11:58 am: |
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Fwiw: all the PCV hose does, simply, is route the gases to the carb so they can be burned instead of going directly into the air and oil leaking on the ground.
You can just run a 3/8" hose from the PCV valve on top of the valve/rocker cover to the ground. One simple hose is all you need. It really is that simple a system, so keep that in mind when doing any kind of reroute or diagnostic.
Hopefully this solves your problem. There are other causes of excess pressure, but others are not as simple as the one you've come up with.
It does sound as if your oil level is okay, but do keep that info in the back of your mind. Oil level is the number one reason for your problem. Early Blasts had a problem of the oil pump drive gear failing, which led to overfilling of the oil until running problems would shut the bike down. |
Gearheaderiko
| | Posted on Friday, May 01, 2015 - 12:01 pm: |
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PS what is the black piece sitting to the left of the oil filler/dipstick in the picture. I can't tell what it is, but I just want to be sure it's not a non stock item added on to your frame. |
Daninr8
| | Posted on Friday, May 01, 2015 - 12:50 pm: |
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The silver and black to the left of my oil filler/dipstick is part of my handlebar setup. I had my wheel locked when I took this picture.
I'll make sure that the PCV is clear and then I might just do as Ghr suggests and run a line straight to the ground.
Thanks for all your help with my issue.
I haven't worked on many vehicles before, but I just wanted to make sure before I tried to do anything and make my problem worse. |
Daninr8
| | Posted on Sunday, June 07, 2015 - 12:54 am: |
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Bike is back up and running, since I put the crankcase vent plug in, with no oil leaking out of the filler hole that I can see. Thanks for all the help and advice that was given to me on this issue. |
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Backpressure causing the filler cap to blow