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techtalk:evo:oil06 [2020/10/11 04:12] hippysmack [Breather Valves and Vent(s)] |
techtalk:evo:oil06 [2024/01/05 19:16] hippysmack |
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| That is not the case with Sporsters. They should NOT leak oil. \\ | That is not the case with Sporsters. They should NOT leak oil. \\ | ||
| - | **What constitutes an oil leak**? ((Dr Dick of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1918224)) \\ | + | **What constitutes an oil leak**? ((Dr Dick of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/178459-considering-cork-rocker-gaskets?t=1918224)) \\ |
| * Leak: Liquid oil on the outside of your rocker box, head etc. | * Leak: Liquid oil on the outside of your rocker box, head etc. | ||
| * Weep: An oily residue that traps road dust leading to a damp, dirty build up. | * Weep: An oily residue that traps road dust leading to a damp, dirty build up. | ||
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| See [[techtalk:evo:oil06#crankcase_pressure_problems|Crankcase Pressure Problems]] below. | See [[techtalk:evo:oil06#crankcase_pressure_problems|Crankcase Pressure Problems]] below. | ||
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| ====== Do Not Use Silicone In Your Engine ====== | ====== Do Not Use Silicone In Your Engine ====== | ||
| - | |||
| **First and foremost, do not use silicone sealer on any engine, oil pump or related parts or gaskets to stop a leak**. \\ | **First and foremost, do not use silicone sealer on any engine, oil pump or related parts or gaskets to stop a leak**. \\ | ||
| The heat coupled with crankcase pressure pulses can break pieces of it loose and send them through the engine. \\ | The heat coupled with crankcase pressure pulses can break pieces of it loose and send them through the engine. \\ | ||
| Line 48: | Line 46: | ||
| In an instance where used silicone was used to seal the gaskets, pieces of silicone (or sheets) could be sucked in, stretched and broke off into the engine. \\ | In an instance where used silicone was used to seal the gaskets, pieces of silicone (or sheets) could be sucked in, stretched and broke off into the engine. \\ | ||
| This silicone 'gummy bear' sheet was found in the oil pump. \\ | This silicone 'gummy bear' sheet was found in the oil pump. \\ | ||
| - | {{:techtalk:evo:oil:oil_pump_damage_3_by_-_-_-_annotated.jpg?direct&300|}} ((photo by (-_-) of the XLFORUM, annotated by Hippysmack http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2074835&page=3)) \\ | + | {{:techtalk:evo:oil:oil_pump_damage_3_by_-_-_-_annotated.jpg?direct&300|}} ((photo by (-_-) of the XLFORUM, annotated by Hippysmack https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/efi-sportster-motorcycle-talk-2007-and-up/198113-help-me-figure-out-weird-engine-braking/page3?t=2074835&page=3)) \\ |
| ====== Diagnosing the Origin of External Leaks ====== | ====== Diagnosing the Origin of External Leaks ====== | ||
| - | \\ | + | * **You can put red food coloring in your primary or engine so you can tell if it is engine oil or tranny oil leaking**. ((Hopper of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/100269-the-last-oil-leak-on-earth?t=862589)) \\ Just be sure to do an oil change once you've found and fixed the problem. |
| - | + | ||
| - | * **You can put red food coloring in your primary or engine so you can tell if it is engine oil or tranny oil leaking**. ((Hopper of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=862589)) \\ Just be sure to do an oil change once you've found and fixed the problem. | + | |
| * **Using powder to detect a leak**: | * **Using powder to detect a leak**: | ||
| - | * Degrease the bike until there's no oil remaining. \\ Then take some Soft n Dri (women's antiperspirant spray), talcum powder etc. and spray it around the rocker gaskets (or other suspected leaking area). ((ReddTigger of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1732579&highlight=rocker+box+inserts)) \\ It will go on clear but when it gets heated will turn to a white powder. Just a light film is all it takes. \\ Whenever it starts leaking it'll show up exactly where the leak is. \\ | + | * Degrease the bike until there's no oil remaining. \\ Then take some Soft n Dri (women's antiperspirant spray), talcum powder etc. and spray it around the rocker gaskets (or other suspected leaking area). ((ReddTigger of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-motor-top-end/161350-rocker-covers-leaking-argh?t=1732579&highlight=rocker+box+inserts)) \\ It will go on clear but when it gets heated will turn to a white powder. Just a light film is all it takes. \\ Whenever it starts leaking it'll show up exactly where the leak is. \\ |
| - | * **Clean the engine, then start it and use a bright light to see where the leak is coming from**. ((Bob F of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?p=5774586)) \\ The light should make the liquid oil shine. You may only have to run your scoot for a few seconds to start leak. | + | * **Clean the engine, then start it and use a bright light to see where the leak is coming from**. ((Bob F of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/197800-oil-leak#post4335162)) \\ The light should make the liquid oil shine. You may only have to run your scoot for a few seconds to start leak. |
| * **Leaking with Engine Running (weeping gaskets)**. \\ See also [[techtalk:ref:oil10|Wet Sumping]] in the Sportsterpedia. | * **Leaking with Engine Running (weeping gaskets)**. \\ See also [[techtalk:ref:oil10|Wet Sumping]] in the Sportsterpedia. | ||
| * Weeping cylinder base gaskets: \\ Please do not jump the gun. Clean the area and ride the bike. | * Weeping cylinder base gaskets: \\ Please do not jump the gun. Clean the area and ride the bike. | ||
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| * Running the bike hard shouldn't be an issue. \\ However, running the bike hard compounds the problem if there are any issues listed above. \\ High RPM makes these issues worse. | * Running the bike hard shouldn't be an issue. \\ However, running the bike hard compounds the problem if there are any issues listed above. \\ High RPM makes these issues worse. | ||
| * **Leaking with Engine Shut Off**. \\ See also [[techtalk:ref:oil10#sit_sumpimg|Sit Sumping]] in the Sportsterpedia. | * **Leaking with Engine Shut Off**. \\ See also [[techtalk:ref:oil10#sit_sumpimg|Sit Sumping]] in the Sportsterpedia. | ||
| - | * Clean the area thoroughly (like with rake cleaner and air blow dry). ((Ferrous Head of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?p=5774586)) \\ Let it sit long enough to begin leaking and blow some talcum powder over the area. \\ The talc will stick to the oil and pinpoint the origin. | + | * Clean the area thoroughly (like with rake cleaner and air blow dry). ((Ferrous Head of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/197800-oil-leak#post4335162)) \\ Let it sit long enough to begin leaking and blow some talcum powder over the area. \\ The talc will stick to the oil and pinpoint the origin. |
| - | * Take an old bike tube and cut a piece while retaining the valve stem. ((ezmerf of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?p=5774586)) \\ Use a hose clamp to tighten it over the filler neck on the oil tank. \\ Then put a pound or two of air pressure on it and see if that helps you locate where it's coming from. | + | * Take an old bike tube and cut a piece while retaining the valve stem. ((ezmerf of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/197800-oil-leak#post4335162)) \\ Use a hose clamp to tighten it over the filler neck on the oil tank. \\ Then put a pound or two of air pressure on it and see if that helps you locate where it's coming from. |
| - | |Rocker boxes sprayed with powder antiperspirant to detected oil leaks. ((photos by CitySlicker of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1732579&highlight=rocker+box+inserts&page=2))|| | + | |Rocker boxes sprayed with powder antiperspirant to detected oil leaks. ((photos by CitySlicker of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-motor-top-end/161350-rocker-covers-leaking-argh/page2?t=1732579&highlight=rocker+box+inserts&page=2))|| |
| |{{:techtalk:evo:oil:diagnosing_oil_leak_1_by_cityslicker.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:evo:oil:diagnosing_oil_leak_2_by_cityslicker.jpg?direct&300|}}| | |{{:techtalk:evo:oil:diagnosing_oil_leak_1_by_cityslicker.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:evo:oil:diagnosing_oil_leak_2_by_cityslicker.jpg?direct&300|}}| | ||
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| * However, that is more like using a band-aid to cover a more important underlying condition of too much total crankcase pressure. \\ This condition doesn't just go away when you lower the oil level. | * However, that is more like using a band-aid to cover a more important underlying condition of too much total crankcase pressure. \\ This condition doesn't just go away when you lower the oil level. | ||
| * Likewise, when you increase your oil level, you decrease your crankcase empty space volume. \\ This may increase the pressure in the crankcase __if__ your vent(s) are not keeping up. \\ This is the reason that running a higher (or proper) level of oil has the effect of contributing to rocker cover leaks or oil puking from the air filter. \\ See also [[techtalk:ref:oil04#crankcase_pressure_venting_in_the_oil_tank|Crankcase Pressure / Venting in the Oil Tank]] in the Sportsterpedia. | * Likewise, when you increase your oil level, you decrease your crankcase empty space volume. \\ This may increase the pressure in the crankcase __if__ your vent(s) are not keeping up. \\ This is the reason that running a higher (or proper) level of oil has the effect of contributing to rocker cover leaks or oil puking from the air filter. \\ See also [[techtalk:ref:oil04#crankcase_pressure_venting_in_the_oil_tank|Crankcase Pressure / Venting in the Oil Tank]] in the Sportsterpedia. | ||
| - | * **Blowing the oil cap off could from too much oil in the tank or (on 04 and later models) it could be from broken internals in the cap itself**. \\ Click here to see [[techtalk:evo:oil04b|04 Style Oil Cap Repair]]. | + | * **Blowing the oil cap off could from too much oil in the tank or (on 04 and later models) it could be from broken internals in the cap itself**. \\ Click here to see [[techtalk:evo:oil04g#style_oil_cap_repair|04 Style Oil Cap Repair]]. |
| ==== Cracked Oil Tank ==== | ==== Cracked Oil Tank ==== | ||
