Got er runnin...bit worried though

[Nate Dogg]

I was wondering, if the oil filter is completely clogged up, could that cause the bike not to circulate oil? Also the bike has an aftermarket oil cooler, does this put any undue stress on the oiling system? The oil cooler connection sits between the block and the reservoir for the filter...

[Getty]

I am one of those guys that put too much oil in the machine... I couldn't believe the guys here were telling me that I did it. Just couldn't believe them... Have you looked through the little oil window when the bike is on centerstand??? (Not Kick Start)

Too much oil.. or gas mixed in with the oil will make a mess. These are the only ways oil will come out the tube. I was told this by a well respected and experienced mechanic on this forum.

[ross]

hey there nate dogg.....ya just haven't lived until you do a 7 quart oil change.....now that's livin'....ross

[Nate Dogg]

Yes you are right, it made a huge mess. Im wondering if I take the filter completely out if the oil will still circulate? Im wondering if the filter is so gummed up or if I have a problem with the oil cooler? Any idea where the oil sending unit it and how to get to it??

[trbig]

The oil pump is in the oil pan. These pumps are pretty stout. The cooler is not a problem for it, but a clogged filter is. You could run it without one and just put the filter cup back on... but I'd rather see you go spend a a few bucks and just put a new one in there.

The line that feeds your head is on the back side of the motor and snakes up between carb boots 3 & 4. It's a steel line that mounts to the engine block and the head.

Unscrew the filler cap on your clutch cover. Smell the inside of the cap. If it smells like gas instead of just oil.. you could still have a problem with it leaking in. You still need to clean your carbs.

Tod

[ross]

hey there nate dogg...i would definitely change the oil filter....WTF, ya got the oil/gas mixture out of her....the oil filter is about $5.....is that worth blowing the motor.....make sure ya clean out the filter cover with brakekleen and blow dry....check the oring and wipe any old oil outta the motor...also, let it drain completely....about 30 min or so....those last drips contain all sorts of nasty garbage......not sure, but using air to blow out the line might be a good idea.....just make sure ya get all the oil out of the cooler before ya seal her up....then fill her back up on the centerstand....start with 3 quarts and see what the level is there...mine uses 3.7 quarts (with removing the oil filter).....not sure about with the oil cooler....ross

[Nate Dogg]

yes I have a filter. I was going to put it in tomorrow...just thought the old filter was keeping the oil from circulating possibly...thought id run the new oil a couple of hundred miles then change it out...I guess Im assuming also that the squeeling sound is caused by lack of oil...but the squeel happens and the oil light comes on so i guess that makes sense. when i pulled the oil filter pan off, the o rings for the pan and the cooler were way too large. They were half an inch too large so i cut em down to where they would barely fit back into the grooves then cinched it all back together. Under the oil cooler plate was a half inch tall rubber pad, then the filter, then a washer, then a spring- thats how I reassembled it...I know I need to go get the real rubber gaskets...the bike didnt really squeel before i changed the gasoil so i wonder what is causing it...how would i test to make sure im getting oil to the top of the engine & that the oil is circulating...as far as i could tell all the gasoil drained...cranked the enging a bit as was changing the oil...just bumped it a time or two...put a gallon of oil back in (4 quarts) assuming the cooler and lines would take some...but it was pumping out the vent tube like it was going out of style...im quite sure the carbs are clean and not leaking now...spent 4 or 5 hours on them...

[birch]

Are you going to put a couple of hundred miles on it in only first gear?

[prometheus578]

"I can't take it any more..."

Ok, here's the deal.
With the bike on the centerstand check the level of oil in that little window. If it's not right in the middle, it's wrong.

Check the spark plugs. If they're not grey or light tan, they're wrong. Replace them.

Adjust the cam chain tension... If you haven't done that yet, it's wrong. Plenty of recent threads tell you how.

What is the idle set at? If it's not at 1100RPM, it's wrong.

With the engine warm and running, spray a little water on the header pipes. If they all don't sizzle the same, it's wrong, (And carb related... or fouled plug related., and if it's foul plug related, it's because of your carbs.)

Go to a cheap tool store like Harbor Freight and buy the $3 mechanics stethoscope and find where your engine noise is coming from. If you don't do this, then you're wrong.

I have a hard time understanding your gas in the oil thing.
I don't recall reading where you fixed that problem... you just said that it went away. Sorry... it doesn't work like that. It the vacuum petcock and the carb float needles are bad,the carbs will flood. Often you will see gas dripping from the airbox, and it will also run forward into the cylinders and into the oil.
If the petcocks are good, but the float needles are bad... you won't see gas dripping from the airbox... but your carbs will still be supplying too much fuel when it''s running... fouling the affected plugs and saturating the cylinder... getting gas in the oil and washing the oil from the cylinder walls... causing a screech?

You may not be running on all cylinders... and neither may the bike....
With it running, check the header pipes with water. You may be only running on three cylinders... the idle dies down.. and the oil light comes on. (rev the engine and the light goes back out)
Again, what is the idle set at?

OIl coming from the breather tube only means two things. TOO MUCH OIL, or you have a piston/head gasket issue and you're getting a lot of blowby compression into the crank area.

[birch]

I just checked the cam chain tensioner--These bikes do not have chains, they have something called a drive shaft.

Just kidding!

[fredintoon]

Hi Birch,
even Beemers have chains, you just gotta know where to look.

[ross]

ya had us michiganers worried...

hey there birch.....for a minute there, i thought that you were displaying the wealth of knowledge here in michigan..then i realized that you were kidding.....whew....i guesss i better go charge the spark plugs and get some level water to check the oil level before i ride...hehehehe...ross

[trbig]

"No, you're wrong Colonel Sanders, Mommas right!!"