Gee, where does THIS thing go?

Got the bike working this morning! (82 XJ Seca RJ) There's a small tube, about the same diameter as the vaccuum tube, running down from the air intake manifold that seems to be OILING MY BACK TIRE! I'm guessing it's some sort of fuel reclamation tube that isn't put where it's suppossed to be. Anyone know where the other end of this thing is supposed to go?

Talk about adventures in turning!

 

Sounds like the air box drain - although on my Maxim it is a heavier tube than vacuum tube.

Shouldn't have oil though. If it does you have another problem (have a look in the bottom of the air box).

Battery vent tube is in the same area, and it looks more like vacuum tube. It shouldn't drip anything.

 

Crankcase to full ?
If so could be pushing oil through the breather into the air filter housing, draining out through that tube ?

Might check for gas in oil...

 

*sigh* Crap. I spent the weekend working on the carbs because it was spitting gas into the breather. I even threw on new rebuilt carbs. If it's screwed, I'm screwed.

History:

Two days ago, the bike might start if I was lucky, and was spitting gas out through the muffler and backing up into the airbox. Classic sign that the carbs need serious work. Cleaned the carbs, same problem. Got carbs from my old bike (82 Maxim), cleaned those (just a precaution) and put those on. Success! Bike runs like a champ (I love the responsiveness of this bike when it's tuned right). If it's still throwing fuel into the airbox, could i be something other than the carbs?

 

If you have oil dripping out of the air box vent you either have gas in the crankcase (unless you put A LOT of oil in) or really bad rings.

Gasoline in the oil usually requires 2 things:

1) leaky float

2) leaky fuel valve (or an operator that leaves it on PRI).

 

Did you drain and change the oil? If you didn't then it just may still be overfull. Check it. If it's at the proper level, then panic.

 

"DON'T PANIC" - Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.

 

OK, had the Easter dinner and playtime with the family, went out and started the bike after putting in a bit more oil. Oid drained out of the airbox at an alarming rate. Not gas, oil. There was barely any oil in even though I had changed it day before yesterday....

Must... not... panic.....

Looking over the forum, a dirty or clogged air filter could cause this action? Air not coming through the filter so it's sucked up from the tranny vent?

 

That would have to be one dirty Air Filter.

Get a Compression Check done right away.
Fully Charged Battery
Wide Open throttles
ALL four plugs out.

Get the Compression numbers and let us know what they are; right away!

 

Oooooook. That'll take a bit of research and probably a new tool. From what I can find on the net I need to pull the sparks and attach a compression tool, then turn it over with the throttle all out. Is that right?

 

You forgot to mention the battery charger. But other than that, you've pretty much got it.

 

Alrighty, found this:
http://www.dansmc.com/compression_test.htm

I'll be getting a compression gague from Princess Auto tomorrow if they have one. Cross yer fingers. Fact is that I rode this bike today and it had some skookum performance. I wouldn't think it's a dead cylinder, but then I an newb.

 

OK, checked the oil to make sure it wasn't overilled and guess what, it was overfilled. What are the adverse effects of overfilling the oil?

 

You need to check it for gas in the oil.

If you had carb problems and they flooded which is what it sounded like, it could have washed down through the rings and saturated the oil (bad thing) you dont want to run it this way, drain the oil and replace it if it smells like fuel (It probably does with the carb flooding you were having).

I would also make sure your petcock diaphram is not a problem, sucking fuel into #3 cylinder intake through the vacum line.

 

Gotchya, and I've changed the oil again. I'm starting to hope that oil will go back down under $100 a barrel. I still need to know what adverse affects running on overfull oil is. I can't find anything on the net.

 

Typically, running an over-filled oil level in a motor results in:

1) Excessive Aeration of the oil ===> rotating assembly splashing into the oil level. Results in oil pressure and oiling issues. Also reduces overall HP.

2) Over pressurizing the crankcase. ===> results in oil coming out of the crankcase vent into you intake box. This just creates a mess and effectively lowers your fuel's octane rating. This can also affect the piston rings sealing abilities.

That's all I can come off with from memory. I'm sure there are other reasons. I just can't think of them at the moment.

 

Oil futures were trading at over $300 a barrel two weeks ago, I doubt very seriously we will see it get below $100 ever again. Prepare for more expense folks.

 

I have/had the same issue. Too much oil! I did my first oil change and thought that the filter bolt was the drain plug! As soon as oil started running out of the air box I got real scared, but luckily this forum exists. I will be draining the current oil and replacing the oil and filter this weekend. Luckily mine dosent contain gas. does anyone have a pic of the oil drain plug? Would be a good reference for newbies like me.

 

Philbrewer--the oil drain plug is one inch below the filter housing, best seen by placing your ear on the ground.

Another thing--when doing the compression test, all 4 plug wires need the plugs in them and grounded, so they spark, or, crank the engine key-off by crossing the Solenoid (with a box wrench). This is to protect the coils.

 

I had a similar issue with oil pouring out through the air intake. The previous owner had over filled the crankcase. Oil change and new air filter fixed the problem. It was pretty distressing to see oil pouring out of my bike though! Fortunately, easy to fix.

 

Let's all hope it's something like an overfill or a leaking Float ... something easy to fix.

But, we really need the results of a Compression Check to rule-out any problems with the Cylinders and Rings.

Even if you don't have Oil spewing out of the Crankcase into the airbox; you should know what condition your Engine is in. That's why a relatively simple Compression Test ought to be done before the beginning of the Season ... so that you know what's going on down there.

I've done a bunch of Compression Tests over the years and have just done it with the Plugs on the bench using the Start Button to jack-over the Engine without harming the Coils.

But, if you want to be totally safe; you can short across the Solenoid and get the Engine to spin.
The Key is having a really well charged-up Battery and making sure that the Throttles are wide-open during the cranking or the readings are likely to be low.

 

Ah crap, I'm hanging my head in shame here. Looks like my crankcase is WAY overfull .

 

Couldn't make it out to the stop for the compression guage today, will do tomorrow.

 

Keep us updated!

 

The oil sight glass was supposed to make it easier to check the oil level without getting your hands dirty. Most can't see the level in the glass and overfill.
For those who have overfilled crankcases, I bet there is gas in them. It's very common.
Make sure those fuel valves turn off when the engine is off.

 

Damn, sometimes I'm just dumb. I WAY overfilled th oil, and it shot out the vent. I changed the oil and cleaned out the carbs. She's running nicely now. Now it's ridin time and not this:

http://websterscafe.com/lucille.jpg

 

Love the yellow wires and red rubber Plug Cap.
Nice touch.