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Oil Gusher

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by Hogdog, Nov 16, 2019.

  1. Hogdog

    Hogdog Active Member

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    After a long storage the HD 89 ultra classic was started. At first everything ran well. Then it happened. An oil gusher started from the oil tank (it was open to catch the oil coming from the breather headed to the air filter). Awful looking stuff, it was brown and foamy. Obviously the oil pump is involved and the oil must be coming from the sump. Any clues what went wrong.
    Hogdog, Nov 16, 2019
    #1
  3. WVBiker

    WVBiker New Member

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    How long was it in storage???? I have to agree with wet sumping, kind of thinking years of storage would allow condensation to gather inside the engine. Strong possibility the vent valve is gummed up along with the oil filter. Do you have a way to open the plug on the bottom of the engine, pull the rocker boxes and flush the insides out????? Also, clean the oil pump and replace the oil lines. Not to mention cleaning out the inside the oil tank. Good luck.
    WVBiker, Nov 17, 2019
    #2
    Red Rider likes this.
  4. Red Rider

    Red Rider Well-Known Member

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    How long a storage - years? WVBiker is right on with his input. You may want to pull it open everywhere you can and de-gunk it - I would. Be ready to put on another new filter after running that crud out, don't be cheap there. Post your findings, so others may learn.
    Red Rider, Nov 17, 2019
    #3
  5. WVBiker

    WVBiker New Member

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    Pay special attention to the lifters, oil galleries, pushrods ect. Get yourself a nice clean work surface to dismantle all you can. Get some assembly oil to put it back together. Don't get in a hurry, it will take some time. Try and find a mechanics bible on the machine---will help a bunch. Brown and foamy oil----seems like water and rust to me. Yikes!!!!! Quite a project.
    WVBiker, Nov 17, 2019
    #4
  6. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I wouldn't panic yet, Drain the oil, does it smell like it has gas in it.

    Was the fuel petcock turned off during storage, if not
    it's possible it leaked fuel washed down the cylinders
    and filled the engine.

    Pull the carb and clean it up, make sure the float
    is working properly to shut off gas.

    Drain the engine cases as well, just be careful with the plug
    in the bottom, reassemble and put in fresh oil about a half at low.

    Crank it over with the plugs out, to get oil flowing, then install
    fresh plugs and fire it up, these engine are pretty tough, before you go
    tearing it apart...
    hotroadking, Nov 18, 2019
    #5
  7. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    IIRC and I may not be, there is a check valve between the oil tank and the engine, it's more of a problem on softails since the oil tank is elevated and if the ball isn't seated the tank would drain into the engine....
    hotroadking, Nov 18, 2019
    #6
  8. Hogdog

    Hogdog Active Member

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    She was started bout 6 months ago the only problem was oil puking from the crankcase vent. At that time the oil appeared as expected. Leads me to question the check valve. Hotrodking your remark was appreciated "don't panic yet...". The gas value was off during storage and the bike started right up. The old evo was hot when the gusher started. For sure she needs an oil and filter change. The service manual mentions flushing the oil tank with kero, maybe I should flush the entire oil system with kero.
    Hogdog, Nov 18, 2019
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    Red Rider likes this.
  9. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I would drain it down, see how much oil you get from the oil tank
    change out the filter, see if you get the normal 4 to 5 qts.

    I wouldn't clean it inside yet, I'd put in standard 20W-50 oil
    no synthetic, just the least expensive stuff that meets standards.

    That way if you have to drain it back down you're not out $70 for
    syn oil....

    Don't put 5 qts back in, put in 4 qts then run it, then check the oil level.
    hotroadking, Nov 19, 2019
    #8
    Red Rider likes this.
  10. charlie46

    charlie46 Well-Known Member

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    Yup! HRK is right on. If all goes well then run it about 50-100 miles and change oil and filter once again. Good luck. C46
    charlie46, Nov 19, 2019
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    Red Rider likes this.
  11. Red Rider

    Red Rider Well-Known Member

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    And don't forget to let us know how she turns out.
    Red Rider, Nov 20, 2019
    #10
  12. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I'm not sure if it does, and normally that problem is
    seen on softails but theres no reason that the FL couldn't
    drain down a qt or two into the cam chest, then pump it out the top end breather...
    hotroadking, Nov 20, 2019
    #11
  13. WVBiker

    WVBiker New Member

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    My bad. Hogdog said long storage, didn't mention it ran 6 months ago.
    WVBiker, Nov 21, 2019
    #12

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