| Author | Message | ||
     Simonbg |
I have just replaced the ignition module on my 2001 1800 miles Blast and I was so happy about it. I took it for a ride for 1 hour - I pushed it hard 70-80 mph on the highway - run perfect. When I got back home, there was a oil all over the rear left end - kick stand, rear brake hose and fender, the oil drain hoses, left/back of the transmission assembly, left/bottom side of exhaust - all around that area. First I thought it might be brake fluid cause it look bright oil and it was all around brake hose but it wasn't - rear brake reservoir was full. Then I checked the engine oil and it was low - couldn't even make a mark on the dip stick. I had it checked and filled 100 miles ago. I looked closely and I saw that the drain hoses had oil on them about 6-8 inch up but it ends there. Cause of that, I doubt it leaked from the drain plug. I opened up the seat and saw some oil even in the frame below the battery. I can't see where that fresh oil came from. The upper/front part of the engine looks clean, I had some oil dripping down from the air box before and now I saw also the starter is greasy (but its not fresh). Anyone has an idea what might that be or how to find it? Could it be leaking through the drain plug when I push it to the limits? | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
It won't leak through the drain plug even if you actually did push it to its limits! Are both 'drain' hoses plugged and clamped? Is the bike stock? (Especially any re-routing of any hoses?) Are you checking the oil when hot, immediately after engine shutdown ? Have you changed or added any fluids recently? The PCV hose will blow oil everywhere. Is it intact without any holes (there are places where the hose can rub through especially if rerouted)? | ||
| Simonbg |
-Both drain hoses were clamped - Stock, K&N air filter -Oil checked when hot, dip stick all the way in - As I said in the initial post - 100 miles ago. (Message edited by SimonBG on June 23, 2013) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Well, your initial post didn't specify hot and checking it cold, especially after sitting a week or more, will show empty. We can't look at your bike, so we have to be sure we're not missing anything. From where you're saying its accumulating and that it's "bright" makes me think its coming from the primary (which may or may not be using engine oil depending on what was put in it. It also stays clean much longer). The primary often leaks from where the clutch cable enters the primary cover, the clutch cover, or the drain plug or chain adjuster bolt. Check those areas and clean if necessary and check again. Lastly, be sure of the integrity of the PCV hose from the valve cover to the drain plug. That is one oil source that will coat everything in a short amount of time. (Has there been any rerouting of that system whatsoever?) Fwiw: you can run the Blast at 1000rpms above stock redline, for extended periods, and not incur any oil loss, except through the PCV system. | ||
| Simonbg |
I took everything apart. There was a hose resting in the frame on the left side of the battery. It would made sense this to be the source but its end was dry and clean. I freed up that hose and direct it outside the frame and then fluid started dripping from it although it was still higher than its entry in the engine case. That one comes out from the engine/transmission case between the starter and cylinder block via a metal flange that has red silicon seal on it. Is that the transmission breather? Is it normal to have oil leaking from there? To me, owned 5+ Honda bikes, even a drop of oil is. unacceptable and this engine seems to leak by design. Also why there is oil in the PVC valve hose? The PVC valve is on top of the engine and it should only leak gases back to the carb, atleast that is my understanding. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
That is the engine transmission vent hose and it might have a drop of oil in it. Its run up the frame because there isnt any reason for it to have any more than a very minimal pressure or leak any oil. Extremely unlikely that this hose will cause any problems. If it does, you have worse internal problems. What can happen is that overzealous bike cleaners will run the garden hose (or pressure washer) up the frame and fill the trans will water. Hard to do, but it can be done. Yes the PCV should only leak oil vapor back to the carb. Your understanding is true. However, if the hose is rerouted away from the carb it can fill up the airbox with oil vapor (which condensed is oil) and the airbox will leak oil. If the carb/airbox is circumvented and the vapor is run straight down the hose, that is where the oil/vapor will collect. I've seen Blasts spew massive amounts of oil out the PCV to some Blasts that wont spew anything but vapor, resulting in a minuscule amount of water and oil. Unfortunately directing the PCV hose directly into the carb increases oil consumption, especially at high rpms and also adds carbon deposits to the top end. Thats why its popular to reroute this. The Blast engine is directly evolved from an engine first produced in the 1950's. I've had the opportunity to savagely abuse these engines and they are not prone to oil leakage, nor are they designed to be. But the Blast, being the very bottom of the HD/Buell line, was never deemed fit to get the best of anything, especially since it was deemed a starter bike. I'm sure they never expected that it would see the performance or miles that we would demand from them. Overhaul the top end and the PCV issue goes away. Using oil that is too thin, anything less than 20w-50, will greatly increase oil consumption and lead to early engine failure. But we still havent found your problem......... | ||
| Simonbg |
You are right - I haven't found the problem yet. I think I forgot to mention that I have plugged the PVC nozzle that sprays it into the carb based on people's opinion from this forum. Could that cause an issue? Should I open it? Point it to the carb ? (Message edited by Simonbg on June 23, 2013) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Yes, major issue. Where does it vent to now? If its not vented, you could have very likely blown out a gasket. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Unplug it. I dont know where its says anywhere to plug it up (I would have corrected that quickly!), but I could see where that conclusion could be drawn. | ||
| Simonbg |
I guess it does not vent at all. I have just plugged in and rode like that for 100 miles. What gasket are you referring to? There is not even a drop of oil on cylinder block. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I wouldnt have any idea where it would vent. It would pick the path of least resistance to vent. I would think it would vent out the top of the rocker cover where the PCV valve is. It could vent internally, blowing a seal and venting out the trans hose or clutch cable or..... But after you unplug it, clean the engine and then look and see if you have a leak after another ride. | ||
| Simonbg |
OK, I saw that PCV house was lifted up a bit from the head cover so that's probably where it was venting. I pushed it down but it feels so loose it might move by it self when go through bumps. I still don't get it why there is oil there or oil vapors. Oil should be no oil above the piston segment or at least that's how normal engines are (4 stroke). Back to my problem, I cleaned up everything and ready for testing, I even replace the original clamps with hose clamps on most hose connections. Should I have the nozzle in the airbox pointed to the carburetor or opposite way? | ||
| Ezblast |
There should be a hose from that middle plugged line coming up from the case in front middle. That is the hose that usually vents the tranny and the other end of that hose vents to the frame in stock location, outside above primary in non stock locations. Red silicon seal not normal. EZ (Message edited by ezblast on June 23, 2013) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Reading EZs post I'm really confused!!! Yes, red silicone not normal, but if its one straight unplugged line going up the frame, it's fine. Rerouting this hose isn't necessary or common. (!?!) Point it away from the carb (unplugged of course). Unless you're talking about a flathead (side valve) engine, oil above the piston (valvetrain under the valve cover) is necessary in all modern engines. Way back when, valve trains (springs, rockers and valve stems) in overhead valve engines were exposed and had to be manually lubricated. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
PS I'm glad we got your problem solved  Even the most innocuous modifications should be noted when diagnosing problems. | ||
| Simonbg |
Well I am not sure if my problem is solved yet. Not sure if there is a problem at all... there is nothing I can be sure about this bike... I took it for a ride but only 15 minutes cause a storm is coming in Chicago and then left it idle for one hour - so far I don't see any leaks. Will reply back in a week. Interns of the red silicon, my bike has it on many locations, I don't see what can be bad about it. P.S. There is one thing for sure - I will never ever buy American motorcycle again. And if someone wonder why I did his time - there is no alternative to this bike for a bigginer short girl. Sounded great on specs but the realization is at 'alpha' stage. Another sure thing is how helpful you guys on this forum are. Thank you for the quick responses. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Your welcome, glad to help But don't let an air cooled motorcycle sit and idle for more than a few minutes (unless in traffic of course). It's really really bad for them as there isn't much cooling going on sitting still. It's not much better for a water cooled bike either! Fwiw: it is a 12 year old motorcycle that is experiencing a problem you created. It's also obviously bought used since you didn't put the red silicone on it. Anytime you buy a used motorcycle you run a risk, especially one that has obviously been 'tampered' with and any vehicle is only as reliable as the last person that worked on it! |
