Leaking something - Help!

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Jave · #11 Unread post by **Jave** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:29 pm

So I found out what it's leaking and it's oil. I don't understand why though. I changed the oil just before I put it away but now when I look at the oil level, it's way over what it should be?! It wasn't when I put it away.

Could having too much oil in there cause it to somehow "overflow"? If not, any other ideas as to why it started almost gushing out oil?

flynrider · Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:04 pm

Jave wrote:Could having too much oil in there cause it to somehow "overflow"? If not, any other ideas as to why it started almost gushing out oil?

Yes. If the oil level is "way over what it should be", then it could be overpressurizing the crankcase. Do not run the bike like this. In addition to making a mess, you're risking blowing the seals on the engine (been there, done that. Twice).

What is likely happening is that excess oil is being blown out the breather. On most bikes the breather is connected by a hose to your airbox (so that crankcase gases can be burned). If you open up the airbox and take out the filter, I suspect they you'll find it full of oil. BTW, this would also explain why it won't idle right.

Get the excess oil out of the bike before starting it again.

jonnythan · Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:23 pm

Leave the petcock to "on" or "prime" over the winter perhaps?

You probably had fuel drain through the petcock into the engine, filling the crankcase with gasoline.

You want to drain all that out, make sure the petcock is operating properly, then put in fresh oil.

Jave · #14 Unread post by **Jave** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm

Come to think of it, I probably did leave it in the ON position

. How do I drain it? Just like a normal oil change or is there more to it?

Johnj · #15 Unread post by **Johnj** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:01 am

Jave wrote:Come to think of it, I probably did leave it in the ON position . How do I drain it? Just like a normal oil change or is there more to it?

Yes, just like changing the oil except you'll need a larger container to catch the oil. Change the filter also. You might even want to fill it with new oil and then dump that to flush the system out.

You may need to rebuild the petcock to stop it from leaking.

Jave · #16 Unread post by **Jave** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:30 am

Thanks very much for help! I think this should get me riding again.

Jave · #17 Unread post by **Jave** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:02 pm

Thanks everyone! Got it working again. When I drained the oil, a ton of gas also came out so no wonder there was issues. After changing the oil and starting it up, the thing ran just like before.
This even fixed my clutch lever issue! I'm not sure why but I think the clutch was just submerged in gasoline/oil mix and it caused it to be all loose or something.