QuestionTurned engine off upon return and noticed oil dripping down. Breather box apparently seems to be spraying oil everywhere. What is your suggestion on what the problem could be? Orings maybe?
AnswerHi Jennifer,
It is somewhat normal for a bit of oil
to make it's way into the breather box
from the engine breather hose.
Some bikes will have a drain hose and
maybe a drain bottle which can be checked
for obstructions or be emptied.
Often the problem is that the oil
level is too high in the bikes' crankcase.
If the carbs are leaking some fuel
into the engine it may make the
oil level too high.
If your oil seems thin or smells like
fuel then it should be drained and refilled
with new oil. On fuel injected bike's this
is not an issue.
Also as the engine gets higher mileage on it
the piston rings start to wear.
The combustion gases can blowby the piston
rings and the pressure goes into the engines
crankcase. This pressure ends up releasing through
the engine breather and into the breather box.
If the oil spray becomes excessive and is
filling the breather box then the engine
needs a rebuild.
A bike can still run well with some engine wear
but you may have to drain the breather box
more often and it may have more leaks.
--
I would advise checking for diluted oil
or oil level overfilling. Then check the drain hose
and drain bottle if fitted and clean
them both out so the oil can drain from the box.
--
You could have the engine compression checked
and have a cylinder leak down test done which
might confirm if the piston rings are okay or not.
The breather box seals/orings could also be checked
but if the engines internal pressures are high they won't make
much difference.
Good luck!
Wayne S.
--------------
