QuestionQUESTION: Ok, for starters i work at a local dealership in iowa(wash bay). i purchased a used 1994 sportster wwith
only 15000 miles in september of 07. during this past summer i had our service department install new
base gaskets because they were severely failing, screaming eagle cams, and re-jet the carb. now the
problems start. after i got it back, we found out that they had ordered and install the wrong cam cover
gasket, because it overheated insanely fast. they changed it out, fine now. then my rear rocker box
started puking oil out the back, no problem they replaced it for me. now here is what frustrates me. we
are currently getting a reprieve from our cold winter. las t week i went out into the garage to get some
stuff i was looking for. i looked at the bike wishing i could ride when i noticed that there is a massive
puddle of oil under it! it has not been touched since i rode it last year. the entire underside of the
primary is covered in oil. i checked closely and the oil is not coming out of the derby cover. im thinking
that my primary gasket failed when the temperatures increased( its been in the deep negatives). now
i'm just angry because i have to spend even more money and have more down time. any thoughts and
suggestions would be great! i'm not down talking or bad mouthing my dealership, i'm just stating the
facts, they do great work, my bikes just being a pain in the ass. thanks for your time
-Tom.
ANSWER: Pull your dipstick. How much oil is in the oil tank?
Mike
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QUESTION: nothing!! on the kickstand the dipstick registers nothing, even when its sitting level, it still registers nothing!!
ANSWER: Since you lost your oil tank out of the tank then that means the check valve in the oil pumping is not sealing. There is a ball and spring in the opil pump that is suppose to close and keep the oil from leaking down to the motor. If there is a speck of dirt or carbon on the ball or seat, then the motor will fill up. Most likely the oil ran out the vent to the floor. You can remove the ball and inspect it and using a punch tap the ball in the hole and that will reseat it. Then replace the ball and spring
Good luck and happy riding
Mike
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: how far will it have to be dug into to get to the check valve? major work??
AnswerI have to back up. the ball and spring are located in the oil filter housing. I was thinking of a big bike. Sorry. Remove the filter and where the filter screws into, that is a threaded fitting. Unscrew it and the ball and spring are behind it
Good luck and happy riding
Mike
