Oil dripping out of the muffler??

[don07tncav]

I've done a search and read the info on this but am at a loss as to where to start looking to solve the problem.

Since I've purchased my bike a few weeks ago, I've been concerned about oil loss. About 3/4 quart a week is what I'm losing.

The bike has an oil cooler but that is not leaking.

While at an idle on the stand I noticed oil dripping out of the muffler from the right hand side as you sit on the bike. The oil was not really hot, it was only warm but several dime sized drips came out in about 5 minutes. If I'm losing that much at idle, this may be why

The Clymers finally came in but I can't find this specific problem in it.
Should I pull the exhaust to trace what cylender it's coming out of?

Any and all ideas are appreciated.

My dad says to throw some motor honey in it and not worry about it but that is the last thing I want to do!!

[John]

We had a member whose bike had the same symptoms, and it turned out to be a valve guide was quite worn, and needed replacing.

[prometheus578]

Pull the plugs and look at them to find which cylinder is the oil burner. (... if not all of them. Then run a compression check.) Also... pull the exhaust system, and look inside the exhaust ports at the exhaust valve. The bad cylinder's valve should be all coated with oil, though this won't indicate if it's a bad valve seal or if the rings are shot. But, you could rotate the engine by hand, and watch for that valve to open. If you see a lot of oil on the newly exposed portion or the valve stem.. then I'd say valve seal.

[prometheus578]

I'm sorry... it also could be valve guide as John had mentioned.

[TopCatGr58]

My bet is also on the Valve Seal, not the guide. But even so, they aren't easy to replace without pulling the head. It can be done, but will take some tricks, since you will need to be able to keep the valve pushed up into the head, using a spark plug fitting connected to a pressure air hose source would work. Then you have to pull the cams, then find a way to compress the valve spring to be able to pull the lifter keepers off, then remove both springs, THEN you can get to the seal, but it is also more difficult to remove with the valve stem still sticking up thru it, and also will be tough replacing the new one as well!

So...you are probably looking at having to pull the head, and then you'll need a new head gasket.....$80+ each!! Might as well replace ALL of the seals if you pull the head, ~$4.00 ea. x 8. Also might as well lap the valves and seats while you're there!

But, if the rings are worn, then you'll create more top end pressure with newly lapped valve and seats, which could then produce MORE ring blowby!?

So...is your engine fouling the plugs much, if not, then it might be easier to keep an eye on the oil level and just refill as needed, and live with the little leak until you decide to do major surgery, like a big bore kit, then it would be worth the tear down to fix the leak and the topend while you're at it!?!? Just some thoughts!

[don07tncav]

http://www.partsnmore.net/item_index...art_unique=587

Is this the gasket set that I'll be needing?? BTW, thanks for the advice!

[pathfinder]

Thats it

[Dennyz]

It is typical for XSs that have set for long periods (years) on their side stand, to have the #4 (and maybe #3) valve seals dry out and leak. My "F" will smoke a bunch when I start it up after setting for a couple of weeks. Riding weekly keeps the oil from building up in the exhaust system or piston. I loose more oil when I don't ride regularly, then when I do. It has done this since I bought it at 32K miles. It now has 87K on it. I have a Special that does it also.

[skids]

Yeah, just ride the thing. That's probably what she needs. Give her what she needs...

Originally posted by Dennyz
It is typical for XSs that have set for long periods (years) on their side stand, to have the #4 (and maybe #3) valve seals dry out and leak. My "F" will smoke a bunch when I start it up after setting for a couple of weeks. Riding weekly keeps the oil from building up (SNIP)

[don07tncav]

Dang, guys, I'm putting several hundred miles a week on her!! You want me to do even more!

[strom]

Any smoking?

Mine smoked REAL bad... replaced all valve oil seals, still the same. Smoked to the point that back ends od the mufflers were covered with oil drops.
Turned out to be piston oil rings. Honed the cyls. to the same size, all new piston rings and she runs like a champ.

LP

[don07tncav]

No smoking at all. Just the drips of oil that came out.

[piet]

If you use a rope inside the cillinder instead of compressed air and bring the piston up against the bunch of rope you block the valves
You only need a ballast on the end of a wrench placed on the left nut behind the ignitionpickupscover or a hand of a friend,you can't trust a monkey
then you are ready too look at the seals

[strom]

Originally posted by don07tncav
No smoking at all. Just the drips of oil that came out.

OK, maybe one cyl isnt firing.
Check the engine vent hose... the big one from the engine to the airbox. See if it's clogged, clamped, .... try starting without it.
Take off the mufflers and pour out the oil.

LP

[ratbyk]

Oil Out Muffler

Before you bother pulling the head follow Stroms suggestion. Check out the breather hose/vent. It is a hose located at the back of the motor. Has about a 1/2-3/4 " hose running from the top rear of crankcase up to the top/front of the air box. If this system is plugged or partially plugged the engine is going to push oil out were ever it can find a weak link.
While an engine is running it creates crankcase pressure from blow by gases that leak down past the pistons/rings. This pressure will be in the form of an oily mist. If the breather system is plugged this oily mist must go somewhere. This could be the source of your strange location for excess oil.
Remove the hose from the air box and start up. You should be able to at least see if not even 'feel" crankcase pressure be pumped out the end of the hose. If not remove the hose completely and try a blow through. (should be NO restriction).
While hose is off, again run the engine and check out blow by gases leaking from the crankcase.
Ken/Sooke
\78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"
92 ZX11 Temptress