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  • Burning oil After Rebuild

    I just rebuilt my engine about 2 months ago and I am burning oil on my #3 cylinder.
    Parts I replaced:
    Rings (got the cylinders honed)
    Valve Seals
    Crank Bearings

    I just finished replacing the seals on #3 again thinking that I fubared one of them up without knowing it. I took it for a short spin and I am still burning oil, the plug is wet with oil. The Compression on #3 is 150. Any thoughts on where to look next? I am fairly confident the oil rings were put on correctly. The bike runs strong with the oil any how. I am at a loss and hope I didn't mess the engine up with the rebuild.

    Thanks!
    1979 XS 1100SF Serenity
    1981 XJ650 Midnight - Black Betty
    Road Dog 4 Life

  • #2
    How many miles since the rebuild?
    Nathan
    KD9ARL

    μολὼν λαβέ

    1978 XS1100E
    K&N Filter
    #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
    OEM Exhaust
    ATK Fork Brace
    LED Dash lights
    Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

    Green Monster Coils
    SS Brake Lines
    Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

    In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

    Theodore Roosevelt

    Comment


    • #3
      515. It is alot of oil that is being burned. When I replace the seals I had to re-clean the combustion chamber, had alot of build up on the exhaust valve.
      1979 XS 1100SF Serenity
      1981 XJ650 Midnight - Black Betty
      Road Dog 4 Life

      Comment


      • #4
        And you replaced the valve stem seal after you discovered it was burning oil, right?
        XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

        Comment


        • #5
          Yes, replaced both of them, Intake and exhaust. All others are running normal and clean.
          1979 XS 1100SF Serenity
          1981 XJ650 Midnight - Black Betty
          Road Dog 4 Life

          Comment


          • #6
            There is obviously oil entering the cylinder. It can only come through the valve stem seals (unlikely), or round the piston rings.

            Could the head gasket have anything to do with it, someone?
            XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

            Comment


            • #7
              If the head gasket was leaking then he'd see it in the compression readings.
              What about the intake valve seal? (Sucking oil in. the exhaust would tend to blow out wouldn't it?)
              If the compression numbers are good, then the cylinder is 'sealing' up okay. (good valve seats and good rings)
              The only other way in is like james said, the valve seals.
              Hi, my name is George & I'm a twisty addict!

              80G (Green paint(PO idea))
              The Green Monster
              K&N A/F, TC's fuse block, '81 oil cooler, TC's homemade 4-2 w/Mac Mufflers, Raptor 660 ACCT
              Got him in '04.
              bald tire & borrowing parts

              80SG (Black w/red emblems & calipers)
              Scarlet
              K&N A/F, TC's fuse block, WJ5, Shoei bags, Raptor 660 ACCT.
              Got her in '11
              Ready for the twisties!

              81H (previously CPMaynard's)
              Hugo
              Full Venturer, Indigo Blue with B/W painted tank.
              Cold weather ride

              Comment


              • #8
                Seems odd that new seals would not make a difference. Just finished putting replacements in again. What about valve guides? Could it be leaking in from the guides? Are there any tests I can do to find out where the leak is coming from?
                1979 XS 1100SF Serenity
                1981 XJ650 Midnight - Black Betty
                Road Dog 4 Life

                Comment


                • #9
                  If your guides are bad enough, new seals won't last long. I'd look there to start...
                  Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

                  '78E original owner - resto project
                  '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
                  '82 XJ rebuild project
                  '80SG restified, red SOLD
                  '79F parts...
                  '81H more parts...

                  Other current bikes:
                  '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
                  '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
                  '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
                  Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
                  Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    That much oil being burned, you might have broke the brittle oil control ring on reassembly. Or the two gaps in the ring may be in line with each other instead of 180º apart. JAT
                    2H7 (79) owned since '89
                    3H3 owned since '06

                    "If it ain't broke, modify it"

                    ☮

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      a quick test to see if its rings or valve seals,
                      start the engine and let it warm up, run it at a
                      fast idle around 3/4000rpm hold that for a cpl of minutes
                      and see if it starts blowing smoke, if so theres problems
                      with the rings,
                      now just chop the throttle, if it smokes then, its sucking
                      oil down from the valve seals or worn guides.
                      pete


                      new owner of
                      08 gen2 hayabusa


                      former owner
                      1981 xs1100 RH (aus) (5N5)
                      zrx carbs
                      18mm float height
                      145 main jets
                      38 pilots
                      slide needle shimmed .5mm washer
                      fitted with v/stax and uni pod filters

                      [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pA8dwxmAVA&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL[/url]

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Sounds like a good point to perform a leak-down test on you engine (cylinder). These seem like a decent tutorial on how to build and perform the test...

                        Building a leak-down tester:
                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UcOn8OEt0Y

                        Performing a leak-down test:
                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvG22...eature=related
                        '79 XS11 F
                        Stock except K&N

                        '79 XS11 SF
                        Stock, no title.

                        '84 Chevy K-10 "Big Blue"
                        GM 350, Muncie SM465, NP208, GM 10 Bolt with 3.42gears turnin 31x10.5 Baja Claws

                        "What they do have is an implacable, unrelenting presence and movement that bespeaks massive power lurking behind paint and chrome. They don't wail like a screeching ninja, the don't rumble like a harley. They just growl like a spactic, stressed out badger waiting to rip your face off and eat your soul." Trainzz~RIP~

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          3-4k rpm shows its the rings I guess, smokes good while holding the RPMs up and then once I let go it still smokes a little then goes down to almost none at idle. The plug is fouling and you can see oil deposits along the edges. Should I get new rings for that piston? All the rings on all 4 are new. Would a to large of a gap be a cause for this as well?
                          1979 XS 1100SF Serenity
                          1981 XJ650 Midnight - Black Betty
                          Road Dog 4 Life

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Rettic View Post
                            3-4k rpm shows its the rings I guess, smokes good while holding the RPMs up and then once I let go it still smokes a little then goes down to almost none at idle. The plug is fouling and you can see oil deposits along the edges. Should I get new rings for that piston? All the rings on all 4 are new. Would a to large of a gap be a cause for this as well?
                            Too large a gap and/or gaps not spaced propperly could be the cause. Might have to POP the head off and check.
                            Nathan
                            KD9ARL

                            μολὼν λαβέ

                            1978 XS1100E
                            K&N Filter
                            #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                            OEM Exhaust
                            ATK Fork Brace
                            LED Dash lights
                            Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

                            Green Monster Coils
                            SS Brake Lines
                            Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                            In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                            Theodore Roosevelt

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Rettic View Post
                              3-4k rpm shows its the rings I guess, smokes good while holding the RPMs up and then once I let go it still smokes a little then goes down to almost none at idle. The plug is fouling and you can see oil deposits along the edges. Should I get new rings for that piston? All the rings on all 4 are new. Would a to large of a gap be a cause for this as well?
                              See Phil's response above about having the gaps lined up... I wouldnt buy new rings until its properly diagnosed with the leak-down but each to their own...
                              '79 XS11 F
                              Stock except K&N

                              '79 XS11 SF
                              Stock, no title.

                              '84 Chevy K-10 "Big Blue"
                              GM 350, Muncie SM465, NP208, GM 10 Bolt with 3.42gears turnin 31x10.5 Baja Claws

                              "What they do have is an implacable, unrelenting presence and movement that bespeaks massive power lurking behind paint and chrome. They don't wail like a screeching ninja, the don't rumble like a harley. They just growl like a spactic, stressed out badger waiting to rip your face off and eat your soul." Trainzz~RIP~

                              Comment

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