Oil in the intake - Harley Forum

bartallica2006 · #1 08-21-2009, 01:40 PM

I have a 2001 FXSTDi. I have motor oil blowing out of the intake on it. I have been hearing a slight klunk klunk noise the last two times I rode it(yesterday and today) It blew oil out the intake onto the side of the bike this morning for the first time. Anyone have any ideas? I took the breather cover and filter off to be sure thats where the oil came from. It is. This is my only ride, so I have put 32,000 miles on it the two years I have had it. It has a Dyna jet power commander, k&n filter, Hardchrome 3" longshot pipes. No real mods internal at all besides 20/50 Amsoil. Any ideas I would appreciate

shovelmike · #2 08-21-2009, 02:56 PM

The Twin Cams have a tendency to blow oil out the vent hoses which are plumbed through the air cleaner. This mostly takes place during extended high speed operation and is worse with low restriction air filters. It is made worse if you run the oil level in the tank too high, make sure that you are following the instructions in the owners manual when checking oil, mine states to check it with the engine hot and the bike on the side stand. Many find that there is little or no oil blown into the air cleaner if oil is maintained 1/2 quart below full, that is halfway between add and full.
Regarding the noise, we need more detail and we will be pleased to assist.
And hey, welcome to this forum. Ride safe and God bless, Sincerely: Shovelmike.

bartallica2006 · #3 08-21-2009, 03:25 PM

Thanks ShovelMike. The klunk noise I think I have a good idea. There is a sprocket on the left side of the crank case, in the primary cover that needed adjusting a while back. It was making the same noise, and I panicked, went to The Bike Shop in Lafayette, La. and George(Owner) said" No problem, pull it around back and I will fix it real quick. 15 minutes, that was that. But when I heard that yesterday, I thought that originally, but this morning when the oil smeared down the right side of my scooter, I put the symptoms together. Im still working on it now. So, here is what I have learned since original post about the klunk klunk noise.
It only does it when I kill the ignition. I thought it was the primary chain tensioner shoe, cuz mine was broken. not worn, but broken. I changed it yesterday. 5/8" slack cold. I noticed it when I changed oil 3 weeks ago through the inspection cover........ Still having klunk noise. I dont have torque wrench, so trip to Hub City Cycles or The Bike Shop in my future.
The oil from breather issue: Two friends via phone have told me" umbrella seals and rings, since I use about a quart of oil every 3k-5k.
Any imput on that theory is welcome.
I am leaning toward freshening up the top end with rings, seals, and while it apart, flow the heads a little. but then start the process of breaking drivetrain parts I guess. So be it I guess...............Keep it rollin

Bigincher · #4 08-21-2009, 03:54 PM

I think you're on it, bartallica. Are you sure the klunking is coming from the motor?? Klunking in the front forks indicates the need to change fork oil. Check your maintenance chart to see how often that needs to be done.
I'm not too sure I would flow the heads on a stock motor, unless you plan to install a cam that would take advantage of that work.

old no. seven · #5 08-21-2009, 08:17 PM

Recently did a BB95" on my 02 with 32k on the engine. Seems HD has some upgraded oil breather assy. that are in the rocker box. Had those installed and experienced no oil blowby on a long ride (1300 m), also has the S/E filter. While freshening up the engine change out the lifters to "B" lifters. Part number suffix is "B".

unclepsycho · #6 08-21-2009, 08:39 PM

Welcome to the forum Bartallica, glad to have ytou here.

You mentioned an adjustment in the primary to the front sprocket?? I hope it was the chain they adjusted, since there is no adjustment to that sprocket.

And the clunk, clunk when you kill the motor. Exactly when does it clunk? like the last gasp before it stops turning? and the motor is kinda jumping in the frame? it could be a lose motor mount if that is the case. just a thought.

also like Big says, watch the forks... to see if they are the source of the noise.

bartallica2006 · #7 08-22-2009, 11:26 AM

OK, first off, thanks for the input. I took care of the klunk noise. It was the compensator. But my rotor is damaged now where it seats on the crank spline. Im getting a couple different takes on the oil issue though. One reputable mechanic mentioned it could be with the oiling system. Others have said umbrella seals and rings. Im going to check into the oil breather assembly today. Thats the first time that has come up. Thanks again all. Im going work on it some more now. I will keep yall posted.

bartallica2006 · #8 08-22-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclepsycho

Welcome to the forum Bartallica, glad to have ytou here.

You mentioned an adjustment in the primary to the front sprocket?? I hope it was the chain they adjusted, since there is no adjustment to that sprocket.

And the clunk, clunk when you kill the motor. Exactly when does it clunk? like the last gasp before it stops turning? and the motor is kinda jumping in the frame? it could be a lose motor mount if that is the case. just a thought.

also like Big says, watch the forks... to see if they are the source of the noise.

It was doing the klunk noise on the last gasp when killing the ignition. That makes the third time in the last 12,000 miles that the compensator needed tightening.

unclepsycho · #9 08-22-2009, 03:33 PM

I want to focus on that Comp sprocket a bit.
I have a noise that I think is my comp sprocket, and I am in the process of figuring out how to fix it. My noise is under heavy exceleration, not at shut off like yours.
But, the research I have been doing this last 3 weeks tells me that there should be no adjustment to the sprocket itself... the nut holding the sprocket to the crank may be coming loose... and that needs to be addressed IF that's what they are 'adjusting'.
the only other thing that would affect the workings of the comp sprocket is the primary chain adjustment. And that... I think you know how to do youself.
I am concerned about 2 things here, One, that you are not being mislead and your dealer is adjusting the chain and telling you it is this comp sprocket...and the other... what are they doing? I am interested.

there are two types of diferent Comp sprockets... there are a few slight variations of the older style...then there is a brand new one. The brand new one I dont think is on production bikes yet...just available thru the aftermarket. I could be wrong tho.

Do you know which one you have?

Here's a picture:
The top one is the new style with no spring... And it looks like one solid piece... well it isn't, it is made up of 3 pieces and a couple neoprene washers.
The lower one is the regular one been in use for many years.

harold · #10 10-31-2009, 01:30 AM

you know i had some problem with this when the bike was new, here is what i found about the bikes pushing oil out the intake/ air filter. for lack of a better description there are bikes that sump oil. while you are sleeping the oil seeps from the oil tank into the engine case. when you get up and decide to go for a ride you check the oil and notice it low and so add some to the mark. the harley book says to check the oil hot or when the bike is warmed up. when you warm up the bike the oil pump starts to move/ cycle the oil . the oil will equalize between the engine and the oil tank. now the oil is cycling back into the oil tank. allow the bike to idle for a couple of minutes after warm up , shut the bike off and then check the oil, it will read normal, or if you have been adding oil to a cold bike it will show to much oil. you can buy a cheap pump and realize you need a better one or i just use a turkey baster and remove the extra. of coarse i no longer do this i learned from error. the stock harley long dip stick is designed to be able to check the oil with the bike on the kick stand , which is why it swivels. tilts back and forth.
there are also temperature combined oil sticks that are shorter, fancy oil stick. in which case you must chech the oil with the bike upright i.e sitting on it with the bike straight up.because if you check the oil with the harly after market oil stick with the bike on the kick stand it will read add oil. the harley is a dry sump engine , it stores the oil outside the engine in an oil tank and pulls the oil from and returns it to the oil tank after cycling thru the engine.
it really could be that simple. as for the knock if you suspect the primary sprocket the harley maintenance manuel will direct you how to tighten this sprocket. better listen to someone with more experience on this one as i havn't had the klunk problem yet. with to much oil in the tank the oil blowing out the air filter will usually show up after prolonged high speed operation, highway riding or if you have been hot rodding. good luck , keep asking questions i find out most of my great info from these blogs and the old hippies that ride up on the mountain, the long time harley guys are a real source of info. good luck