Oil pouring from engine when running...

[mick43]

(I did try search engine - apologies if I missed the answer to this problem)

Hi. I didn't use my super rocket over winter, but did fire it up once or twice, and kicked it over every 3 weeks without starting (in the belief this circulates oil).

At the weekend I started the bike. She fired up no problem and settled into smooth tick over, but then I noticed oil rapidly pouring from engine 

She quickly emptied 1/8 to 1/4 of oil tank and made strange gurgling sound as I hit the 'kill button'.

I couldn't find anything obvious so filled tank and re-started for a couple of seconds.

Oil is being returned to the dry sump, but it is full of air (small bubbles). The oil hitting the floor is the same.

Oil appears to be coming from a machined hole on the left side of the engine - seen from looking up from underneath, with the hole up high on the inside of the LHS crank case (breather) ?

Only recent work to bike was a new carb, service and an 'anti drain valve' as recommended by BSA specialist (in March last year) - could the latter be connected ? The 'anti drain valve' should have stopped wet sumping ?

BSA mechanic is away until Saturday... so I can't get their feedback until then....

Forum views please.... many thanks..

PS. when running exhausts were clean, no blue smoke, or any other smoke for that matter.

[bsa-bill]

Engines that have not been run for a good while can often "wet sump" over the time the engine sits oil leaks through the  pump into the sump, then when the bike is started the oil pump struggles to clear the excess in the sump which then gets pushed out of the breather ( the machined hole you refer to - machined hole on the left side of the engine )
The bubbles seen in the oil returning to the pump are normal, the return side of the pump has more capacity then the feed side so normally there is not enough oil in the sump to fulfil the capacity of the return side so it suck air as well as oil.

Generally if the bike is used regularly once the excess oil has been cleared (on your garage floor) the problem will cease.
The anti wet sump valve is a subject of some discussion, many like them many don't, I used one for a while without any problem but discarded it as not necessary once I'd rebuilt the engine, could you give us some idea of where it is in the bikes oil system (should be in the feed line with the arrow facing towards the engine) I think it might be an idea to remove it before trying the bike again.
Then see how it goes

[Topdad]

Mick, as per your post and Bill's reply. I started my A10 last night first time since the end of October prior to starting I emptied nearly 3 pints of oil from the sump. Simply poured back into tank  and went on with other chores til ready to start . I,likw a lot of others have fitted a sump plate with a drain plug , easy pessie 1 nut out check magnetic end for trouble, clean and replace once the drips have stopped. Last year I forgot and covered the drive with a similar quantity ,guess who wasn't in someones good books!! I keep saying I'll sort it but ,well, I 'd rather ride when possible, so I'll leave it as is til I have to take the motor apart, best wishes Bob.

[mick43]

many thanks Bill & Bob...

armed with your information, I have indeed drained circa 2-3 pints of oil from sump (I had handy drain plug 

the 'anti drain valve' is on the lower of the two pipes connected to engine - with the arrow pointing towards engine. I assume therefore that this has failed ? (given this supposed to stop 'wet sumping').

thanks for response gents, as I realise now (after your posts this was root cause) but (a) I had valve fitted so thought it couldn't be that & (b) other wet sump posts I found in 'search' mentioned blue smoke as excess oil burning off...

i did by the way have a couple of small fragments on sump plug magnet, and a very small blob of what I would describe as graphite..  but then engine has only done circa 600 miles since complete rebuild, so I'm hoping this is nothing serious, and does run very sweetly... but I will keep an eye on this.

[Topdad]

I'd take that valve out ,it sounds like one I had fitted but unlike yours it worked to well and wouldn't allow any oil past ,the ball had stuck solid !! I hammered it out after removing a circlip . You may find this as been done to yours in which case I'd still take it off cos I'm sure it restricts the oilway . Another guy here posted something very apt " I won't put anything between my oil and my engine ! "  Worth a look  its expensive as you know to repair these motors. Best of luck, BobH

[Beezageezauk]

I think the lesson to be learned here is, after the bike has been stood for a while, check the level in the oil tank before attempting to start the engine.  If the oil tank level is low, drain the sump and check the primary chain case oil level.  If the sump fills to a certain level it is possible for excess oil to make its way into the primary.

Beezageezauk.

[mick43]

thanks again Gents.

I'll follow both of the above pieces of advice.

[nimrod650]

when i store my a10 i remove drain plug and place a container underneath