Oil Problem?

[klcco]

My 79' XS1100 is leaking oil out of the air cleaner. Looking for suggestions on where to start looking for the problem.

[thumperjsa]

Check your oil level. There is a hose that runs up to the air cleaner for crankcase ventilation. I believe too much oil could cause this kind of issue.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Ken,

This symptom can also be an indication of another common problem, fuel getting down into the crankcase thru a leaky, petcock, Octopus, float valve, which allows flooding of the carb, it flows up into the intake, and if the Intake Valve is open, it'll pour down into the cylinder, and past the rings into the crank. Then it thins out the oil, over fills the crank, and then gets blown up thru the crank vent back into the airbox!

Make sure you're checking your oil level with the bike on centerstand. Stick a wooden stick down into the oil filler opening, pull it out, and step away from the bike, then take a match or lighter and try to light it, if it lights, then gas has gotten into the oil! You don't want to run the bike at all until the oil has been changed, and the leaky problem(s) fixed!
T.C.

[Parr8hed]

so what if you don't have a centerstand? I don't have the centerstand on mine due to clearance issues with aftermarket exhaust. I just hold my bike up so that it level side to side, and look into the sight glass. I know that the rear tire is higher on the center stand. does this affect the oil level that much?

[thumperjsa]

If you can, have someone hold the bike strait and level while you do the test TC suggests.

I think what he means is, don't check the level or dip the stick while on the side stand.