| Author | Message | ||
     Devo1959 |
Hi Everyone I am looking for a little help and guidance. I have a 1996 S1 lightening that needed a head gasket, I gave the motorcycle to my son and he proceeded to change the head gaskets and all upper gaskets (he is a BMW mechanic). Started her up and she is purring like a kitten except after a few moments the oil pressure in the tank rises and shoots out the fill cap. I did my research and found that most often it is over filled or possible clogged filter. I reduced the oil to be 1/3 up the stick cold on kick stand. I then changed the filter losing a bit more oil. Stated it back up and within a few minutes it started to blow out the top. The oil was very aerated and full of bubbles. After I turned the bike off the oil remained very full much higher then before (I do realize it is full of bubbles raising its volume). I drained a bit more and the same thing happened again. He originally put in 2 quarts. Any ideas on what to check next? Thanks, Jeff | ||
| Harleyelf |
Did your son put the head gasket on correctly? It can be flipped. Change the base gaskets? Last time it ran, did the bike have the correct oil level when hot? Was the oil changed as part of the gasket job? Might he have drained 1 1/2 quarts from the oil tank and put three in, while 1 quart was still in the engine? Quite a bit can fit in the area below the pistons and around the crankshaft. Is this froth in the primary oil, too? If the bike has been ridden in the rain and a bunch of water sucked into the gearcase vent, it can foam up into a yellow mess and blow the main oil seal out from under the primary chain drive sprocket. Just drain all the oil from both places after running it enough to get to full temperature, then put the specified amounts in. If the oil level on the dipstick changes, check the oil level on the primary side. If it's migrating from engine to primary case you have to take the primary chain off and replace the main seal. If you have the old style primary chain shoe that would be a good time to upgrade. | ||
| Steveford |
Check the vent line from the tank - if it's pinched it'll blow the cap off. | ||
| Lakes |
like Harleyelf has said could have had a crank case full of oil from standing around. also i suppose the oil seal on primary side is a possability but i've ridden HD's since late 70's never had one fail. drain oil out oil tank take oil filler cap off, start motor and just have it at 1,000rev see if oil pumping back to oil tank, keep it at 1,000 while oil still returning to tank if tank fills up stop motor, drain oil again measure amount that comes out. put plug back in oil tank start it again keep at 1,000 till oil stops turn motor off. then check you have oil in primary. if none then do the seal but if oil in primary. just put new oil right amount into oil tank. start it again see how it goes. it's common for harley motors to wet sump thats why you need to ride them before doing oil change. | ||
| Devo1959 |
Hi Elf Thanks for the guide. He claims the gasket was put on correctly serial number up. He only replaced one base gasket. Not sure of oil level last time it ran. It was not run in the rain. We will recheck both oil levels using your guide and report back. Thanks, Jeff | ||
| Devo1959 |
Hi Lakes, Thanks for the additional information we will try your ideas later this week and drop a note back. Thanks for the help. Jeff | ||
| Ratbuell |
Wait... He did both headgaskets, but only ONE base gasket?? You unload the headbolts, it unloads the base gaskets. You're supposed to replace 'em ALL, base to rocker box, when you loosen the headbolts. That said...check the rings. It could be a pinched vent tube...or it could be massive blowby. Compression test? (That's if the advice from people above doesn't yield a solution). | ||
| Oopezoo |
You might just have too much oil in it. Mine pukes anytime I get the oil level over half way up the dipstick when HOT. Checking one of these bikes cold is useless as all of the oil drains itself back down into the motor while it sits there. My full proof way to keep it from puking is to go for a ride to get things hot. I pull into the garage, pull the seat, lift the bike upright off the sidestand, and check the oil level. At that point, the oil level should be between the lower mark and the half way mark on the dipstick. Any more than that, and it will build pressure and fire the cap off (and blow oil all over my body work and rear tire). Being a newer tuber owner, it frustrated the hell out of me until I got it all sorted out. | ||
| Devo1959 |
Hi Guys, I want to thank everyone for their input and help. We warmed it up and continually drained the oil until it was at the proper level. Problems solved and everything appears to be good. Just a case of having way too much oil in the bike. Your experience and help is much appreciated. Jeff |
