Wet sump

[baz123]

hi all

Its that time of the year when the bike gets dragged out of the shed I was draining the sump as its been stood for a while and the oil was really thin like petrol had gotten in with the oil. I have heard in the past this is possible and fuel can seep through the fuel taps. Is this true or is there some other reason ?

Thanks for your time
regards baz

[RichardL]

Did you smell it? Did you check to see (smell) if oil in the tank is the same. You're probably right about the taps leaking, but it also means fuel getting by the float needle. If oil in tank is normal, and you haven't run the bike, you're probably OK, having drained the sump.  Fix the taps, float level and needle as soon as possible, then change the oil.  I think, best if you can get that all done before running the bike.

Now, wait to see if others agree with my diagnosis and recommendations.

Richard L.

[Greybeard]

Did you smell it?

That ↑

[baz123]

thanks for the reply
the oil that was left in the oil tank looked ok but the oil that came from the sump did smell of petrol.  I just didn't think it could get to the sump even if it was getting past the float bowl.

regards Baz

[RichardL]

Fuel overflowing the float level runs up into the venturi throat, past an open (or leaking) intake valve and past the rings.

...and my technical atatus here demands I add, "I believe."

Richard L.

[a10 gf]

For layups, I drain tank (avoid stale old petrol at next engine start, & no possibility of leaks inside or outside), then run engine until carb empty (avoiding jets gummed up by dried petrol residues). I believe this is a good habit.

And have had some good doses of leaking\bad fuel taps, needs regular checking :O)

...and the offtopics removed :O)

[duTch]

 

..... I have heard in the past this is possible and fuel can seep through the fuel taps. Is this true or is there some other reason ?

         Yep, only happened to me once, and runs down the bore(s), maybe even a small supply caught above the piston- could be a bit smoky

[Butch (cb)]

My Camel did it last year even though I thought the fuel taps were closed. And that’s a wet sump bike. Disgorged all out the back and onto the rear tyre and thence up the back of my riding jacket. Only realised when I got to the station – a ride of about 8 miles or so. Recovered the bike with my Previa and then couldn’t get my head around how it seemed to have lost so much but was still over level on the dip stick. Dipping with a pipe cleaner revealed how thin and pissy it  was, and smelt strongly of gas.

Luckily I don’t seem to have run the bearings. But how did that happen?

[baz123]

thanks for all the reply's and good advice. Iv had the bike a few years and this is the first time this has happen good job I checked before starting it .  Thanks again.
regards Baz

[CotswoldsA7]

Interesting post this. Always something to learn no matter how old you are. Food for thought.

[Greybeard]

...run engine until carb empty (avoiding jets gummed up by dried petrol residues). I believe this is a good habit.

I always do that when I'm parking.

[BSA_54A10]

Double ditto on the drain the carb & shut off the fuel taps.
I starve all my engines off if the bike is going to be laid up for more than a few hours.

Most common cause of blown gaskets and bent rods on mower engines.
Hydro locking from fuel leaking into the cylinder.

[berger]

well well bike not been out since October and no wet sump, maybe the expensive but well made srm oil pump will be worth its money in time saved draining the crankcase, which means more time on the road. before I fitted the pump it allways needed draining after a few days, one day I thought sod it and fired it up resulting in oil out through the breather and a bonus of it blowing past the mag seal and filling the mag which meant loads of so ime now a happy bunny