oil in the air cleaner

[johnson0023]

I just changed my oil per the forum instructions. I warmed up the bike, drained the engine oil and removed/replaced the filter. Added fresh Castrol. started the bike and while idling, (I was putting on my helmut) I notice A LOT of oil dripping out of the airbox. Do I have a new problem to fix or did I add too much oil? 3.7 qts

[manshack_one]

you didn't happen to do this on the kickstand instead of the centerstand did you? You didn't say so I have to ask.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Johnson,

About 3.5 quarts is about right with Filter change. Your profile just says XS11 "you think"!? You can compare the Vin#/Serial# from the frame neck/right side engine case/clutch cover to the list in the MISC forum to verify what year/model you have, and then EDIT your profile to include that info, or put it in your signature!

You didn't give us much history, but seems like the bike is NEW TO YOU! Had the PO been riding it regularly before selling it to you, or had it sat for months/years before you acquired it?

Are you SURE it's OIL, or perhaps Gasoil? When you drained the old oil, did you get any sense of a fuel/gas smell from it?? How much drained out, 3...4...5 quarts??

The carbs are known to leak fuel when sitting for a long time, the float valves get gummed up, or crud gets stuck between float needle/seat, allowing fuel to leak from the carbs and sometimes into the ENGINE vs. just the airbox. It can then get down past the rings and contaminate the fuel, and cause BAD damage quickly to the bearings IF you ride it that way, only takes a few ounces to really mess things up!

There is a crankcase vent hose...large that plugs into the airbox or recapture and burn those fumes, so it can also pump oil into it IF it's gotten overfilled, or you have Excessive blowby, or the oil gets contaminated with fuel.

Check things out and get back to us!
T.C.

[Ken Talbot]

My guess is you 'drained the oil' by removing the filter housing, and only got a little bit of oil out. The crankcase drain plug is actually a little further under the engine and when you drain from it, you'll get a lot more out. If that's what you did, then you added the required 3+ litres, you're way overfull.

[TopCatGr58]

Oh yeah Ken,

I forgot the Stralya oil draining technique!!

But yep, can't assume everyone knows where all the drain plugs are!
T.C.

[ScottsXS]

hopefully you didn't drain the middle drive as its drain plug is down there too