Got the new valve cover gasket, OEM oil filter installed. Drained and filled up with Rotella 5W-40 synthetic oil. Started her up to warm up the innards. Pulled the plugs and did a compression check. #1 - 175, #2 - 176, #3 - 179, #4 - 180, with those results I would say the engine appears to be in good shape. All thats left is to take her for a test ride. (I'm so afraid I'm gonna blow another gasket). The breather hose is clear, as well as the sub air filter hoses. The air filter is a k & n and doesn't have very many miles on it. Can anyone think of anything else I should check as far as the vent system goes that I could inspect before the test ride?
Both my valve cover gaskets have blown
- Thread starter popo219
- Start date
The only other thing i can think of is if it has a pair system, now we dont have it here so i have no idea whats involved in it but is there any way the exhaust can pressurise the crankcase?
John OoSTerhuis
Life Is Good!
As I mentioned on the other forum, Popo, what did your oil look like? Any bits of paper/cloth/plastic from something left stuffed in the camshaft chamber's oil drain holes by the shop's tech during the valve clearance check? Still got the filter? I'd cut it open and have a look there too.
Just my 2?
Oh yeah, noting Vinny's post (and having had a good laugh with him at Moonshine about his wrong-hose-hookup experience) - is your crankcase breather hose hooked up to the nipple on the bottom right side of the air cleaner housing, NOT to the carb float bowls' 4-to-1 drain hose manifold/connector? Murphy's Law you know...
John
Just my 2?
Oh yeah, noting Vinny's post (and having had a good laugh with him at Moonshine about his wrong-hose-hookup experience) - is your crankcase breather hose hooked up to the nipple on the bottom right side of the air cleaner housing, NOT to the carb float bowls' 4-to-1 drain hose manifold/connector? Murphy's Law you know...
John
Don't have the old filter anymore. And when I transferred the old oil to the 5 gallon drum, I didn't see any bits of paper, rags and any other contraband. And yes, the breather hose is connected to the right side of air filter housing. I think I will go ahead and replace the k & n air filter before riding
John OoSTerhuis
Life Is Good!
PS What are these "sub air filter hoses" that you mentioned...?
John OoSTerhuis
Life Is Good!
No, Jim. Not possible. The PAIR system is often erroneously blamed for driveability issues, unfortunately; usually as a rationalization to remove it.
schlep1967
Bill
I know you have said you are familiar with bikes but I gotta ask. How much oil are you putting in and are you checking the level in the sight glass when on the center stand? If on the side stand possibly too much oil causing the problems. Sometimes the simple things elude us. And I am a master of simple.
+1
Also make sure to leave the bike turned off for at least 10 minutes to allow oil to drain back into the sump. First time I changed oil myself I checked the level right after firing up for leak check. I had bought a 5 qt jug of oil so I wasn't exactly sure how much I had put in and added some more. Ended up overfilled and leaking by the alternator. High oil level could cause high crankcase pressure when leaned over with piston down movement.
Also make sure to leave the bike turned off for at least 10 minutes to allow oil to drain back into the sump. First time I changed oil myself I checked the level right after firing up for leak check. I had bought a 5 qt jug of oil so I wasn't exactly sure how much I had put in and added some more. Ended up overfilled and leaking by the alternator. High oil level could cause high crankcase pressure when leaned over with piston down movement.
I purposely put in a little less than I should have. I drove it this morning a few miles and it made it home without a valve cover gasket blowing. I didn't ride her hard, will gradually build her up to that. She rode and sounded great. I think with the OEM filter, synthetic oil and valve cover gaskets that I know for sure are new and that I put in myself might have fixed what ever was wrong with it before.
John OoSTerhuis
Life Is Good!
The first symptom of oil overfill would be an air cleaner soaked with oil through the crankcase breather hose, and exhaust smoke/fouled plugs.
Popo's problem may be resolved, but IMNSHO, new oil, filter, and gaskets didn't fix it.
Popo's problem may be resolved, but IMNSHO, new oil, filter, and gaskets didn't fix it.
I'm with you on this one, John... Waiting to see what the outcome will be.
Well, i was gonna ride her hard when i got home from my doctors appt today but wouldnt ya know the storms roll in. On my ride this morning, i did get her up to about 60mph, but i didnt let the rpms get above 4000.