What is the oil seperator!?

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  • jonathacvb
    XSive
    • May 2023
    • 24

    #1

    What is the oil seperator!?

    HI, first I apologize if this is posted in the wrong place. I seem to be unable to create a new topic in the more specific areas.

    I have a 'new-to-me' xs1100sg. It's having some issues with idling poorly and backfiring while riding. The carbs were rebuilt by the previous owner and so before I decided clean up a few other things first.

    I tore apart the airbox and tried to clean it up a bit and put it back together. While doing so I came across this part (pictured below) which apparently is labeled as an 'oil separator' in a parts diagram. Now I have a pretty good mind for problem-solving but for the life of me I cannot figure out how this thing works. During the process I actually busted it up pretty good. Thankfully, the previous owner sold me bike with salvage from another and so I had an extra oil separator which I was able to used.

    Is someone able to explain what this part does and how it works? There appears to be no information about it anywhere as far as I could tell.

    Thanks in advance

    Attached Files
  • Schming
    XS-XJ Guru
    • Jul 2009
    • 2070
    • Pittsburgh,PA

    #2
    The single port receives blow by gases from the crankcase. The other 4 ports and curved tubes head into the intake venturi. It is designed to eliminate crankcase fumes from entering the atmosphere.
    1980 XS1100G "Dolly G" Full Dresser (with a coat of many colors )
    1979 XS1100SF (stock-euro mods planned)
    1984 XV700L Virago (to be hot-modded)
    1983 XJ750MK Midnight Maxim (semi-restored DD)
    1977 XS650D ( patiently awaiting resto)

    Sometimes it takes a whole tank of gas before you can think straight.

    Comment

    • jonathacvb
      XSive
      • May 2023
      • 24

      #3
      Ahh, ok. I will have to look closer but I don’t think I had a hose running from the crankcase to the port. Would that affect performance at all?

      Comment

      • Schming
        XS-XJ Guru
        • Jul 2009
        • 2070
        • Pittsburgh,PA

        #4
        Not really, but the port on the top rear of the crankcase should not be plugged, it needs to breathe whether to a filter or to the stock location.
        1980 XS1100G "Dolly G" Full Dresser (with a coat of many colors )
        1979 XS1100SF (stock-euro mods planned)
        1984 XV700L Virago (to be hot-modded)
        1983 XJ750MK Midnight Maxim (semi-restored DD)
        1977 XS650D ( patiently awaiting resto)

        Sometimes it takes a whole tank of gas before you can think straight.

        Comment

        • Tonyxs11
          XStremely XSive
          • Oct 2022
          • 271
          • Cumbria UK

          #5
          Originally posted by jonathacvb
          Ahh, ok. I will have to look closer but I don’t think I had a hose running from the crankcase to the port. Would that affect performance at all?
          it comes from the head, over the carbs to the airbox.

          Comment

          • Schming
            XS-XJ Guru
            • Jul 2009
            • 2070
            • Pittsburgh,PA

            #6
            Originally posted by Tonyxs11

            it comes from the head, over the carbs to the airbox.
            Not on an XS11
            1980 XS1100G "Dolly G" Full Dresser (with a coat of many colors )
            1979 XS1100SF (stock-euro mods planned)
            1984 XV700L Virago (to be hot-modded)
            1983 XJ750MK Midnight Maxim (semi-restored DD)
            1977 XS650D ( patiently awaiting resto)

            Sometimes it takes a whole tank of gas before you can think straight.

            Comment

            • jonathacvb
              XSive
              • May 2023
              • 24

              #7
              Thanks for the input, I believe I found the hose. I will send a picture later today.

              But this begs a question regarding blow-by… my previous experiences let me to believe that blow-by in the crank case is always a bad thing usually caused by a bad seal in the piston. But based on this conversation perhaps that is not the case.. what am I missing here?

              Comment

              • Tonyxs11
                XStremely XSive
                • Oct 2022
                • 271
                • Cumbria UK

                #8
                Originally posted by Schming

                Not on an XS11
                DOH brain fart !!!! just been working on my GSX1100 and that does come from the head. must of had that picture in my head but yeah it comes from the top of the crankcase on the XS

                Comment

                • Tonyxs11
                  XStremely XSive
                  • Oct 2022
                  • 271
                  • Cumbria UK

                  #9
                  Originally posted by jonathacvb
                  Thanks for the input, I believe I found the hose. I will send a picture later today.

                  But this begs a question regarding blow-by… my previous experiences let me to believe that blow-by in the crank case is always a bad thing usually caused by a bad seal in the piston. But based on this conversation perhaps that is not the case.. what am I missing here?
                  the idea is, any vented gasses from the crankcase gets sucked into the combustion chamber and burned instead of out to the atmosphere.

                  Comment

                  • skids
                    XS-XJ Super Guru
                    • Jul 2002
                    • 5046
                    • Florissant, CO, USA

                    #10
                    I took that "plumbing" out of the airbox. Do you really think that crankcase mist will keep the finicky carburetors clean? In fact, I took the vent hose off of the airbox, plugged the airbox and reduced the fat hose from the crankcase to install a crank breather filter. I guess I am an EPA offender, but a poorly running bike does the emissions no good either.
                    Skids (Sid Hansen)

                    Down to one 1978 E. Stock air box with K&N filter, 81H pipes and carbs, 8500 feet elevation.

                    Comment

                    • jonathacvb
                      XSive
                      • May 2023
                      • 24

                      #11
                      Thanks for input guys! I chose to keep mine in because, as a novice, I wasn't clear on the consequences of taking it out. I appreciate the comments.. learning as I go here

                      Comment

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