why is my oil overflowing?

[TRASH]

Well guys here it is. I just got running well enough to take her around the yard and start tuning it. As I pulled up and parked it I noticed a couple drip spots and it appeared to come from the oil overflow tube. So I changed the oil and busted it off. After running about fifteen seconds it started pouring oil everywhere! What the he'll over?

[tinman905]

It's really a crankcase vent not a oil overflow . How much oil did you put in . That usually happens when there is too much oil in the crankcase.

[TRASH]

Three quarts. That's what it said to start with in the tech section. Sounded right to me

[TRASH]

Just tried to drop the oil. Nothing came out. Very little came out the first time. Is it possible something stopped up?

[TRASH]

Obviously that was the middle drive!

[DGXSER]

Ummm...you either have a major hick up in the giddy up or just me confused.


First, the drain plug for the middle drive is under the bike behind the tranny pan, almost to the swing arm. If you pulled that and nothing came out, you REALLY want to pull the fill plug and check the fluid level in there. If it is dry, and you ride it, it will lock up, and that will = NO FUN AT ALL!! Most likely going down hard!

Secondly, put the bike on the center stand or have someone hold it close to level and look at the oil level int he sight glass on the lower back of the clutch cover, by the right hand foot peg. Should be between the two lines.

There is a smaller vent line off the middle drive as well as the crankcase breather line in the same vicinity. If the middle drive is over filled, it will also dump gear oil out its vent.

[TRASH]

Rookie mistake. Don't know my way around these bikes and I'm still waiting on my manual to get here. Now: where do I fill up the middle drive, and how much and what kind of oil do I need?

[TRASH]

Guess I'll hold off. Found a small hole by my drain plug for my middle drive. Damn!

[petejw]

hi trash,
can u take a pic of that small hole,

there is a small looking hole on the middle drive
thats been there from the manufacturers so it might not
be a problem, there have been previous posts about it
but couldnt find anything when i searched, fill the mid drive to the correct level and see if it does actually leak to be sure.

the mid drive oil is normal 80/90 gear oil, the amount is 300cc/10 us ounce,
if u dont have a manual,check out member catonicbugs signature, u can download one from there.


also be sure to drain the xsive engine oil.

[CatatonicBug]

Rookie mistake. Don't know my way around these bikes and I'm still waiting on my manual to get here. Now: where do I fill up the middle drive, and how much and what kind of oil do I need?

As mentioned, the middle and final drive oil is 80/90W, and most use synthetic of some kind. Comes in a tall blue plastic bottle where I get mine. If you need a manual, download one (or two) from the link in my signature. Also, you can download printable dip-sticks for the middle/final drive. They are one-time use only, but there are 10 on a page. The manual will tell you the ounces of oil to use, but be sure to check it with the dip stick, or it will overflow and make a mess! I just learned that myself with the final drive, and it puked all over the patio at work.

[cywelchjr]

And the oil drain plug is at the front of the oil pan just behind and to the right of the oil filter cup if you're looking at it from the front of the bike. It's I think IIRC a 19mm head on it, I think the same size as the middle drive drain plug (and the FD drain plug as well) although I could be misremembering. I'm pretty sure about the oil drain plug, but it's been a while since I've done a middle or final drive (it's just about due, probably do it this weekend while I'm doing my other mechanical stuff on the car (ok, electrical actually).

I know that even if you overfill the middle drive, at worst it seems it just pukes the oil out the overflow tube and all over the back tire. The FD if over full will seep out the fill plug and get things all nice and greasy so they attract dirt and make it look really well used. I don't wash most of the bike too often, but I spray purple power on the shaft housing, engine and FD every couple of months and rinse it off after about 15 minutes. Keeps the grime from building up too much. Much easier to keep up with it if your FD isn't puking oil all over the side of the rear tire through the seal.

PS, I picked up the "real deal" dipstick from my Yamastealer for less than $10 last summer. Makes a nice addition to the pile of tools I keep in my right side saddlebag that I use primarily as a toolkit.

[TRASH]

Looks like you're right pete. I used my comealong to pick my assend up and it was a bolt hole After I get some gear oil in the morning I get to go for my first ride! I had to stop to go check out another bike. Traded and old nonrunning four wheeler for a water cooled maxim. Don't know what it is, but its got to be worth it. I really appreciate the support guys. Any of y'all take a road trip to south georgia the beer is on me!

[petejw]

nothing like a happy ending hey. :-)

glad it was nothing to drastic.