Clean out oil lines periodically

[Coolbreezin]

I did an oil/filter change just before Biketoberfest. Five days ago my oil light came and stayed on. Well, with BDM having a history of electrical issues, I listened to the heads and felt the fins. All seemed well, but to be safe we rode home. I did my research and concluded the oil pressure switch may have died and/or the ground line had broken. I R&R the switch and started the bike, didnt help. I looked around under the bike and followed the wires, everything seemed to be ok. I took the brand new switch out and noticed no oil had gotten to it, so I took the front rocker cover off and there was oil there. So I began to think that maybe the pressure in the engine moved oil up to the top end but nothing was coming from the sump. I disconnected the supply line from the sump and gently pushed a metal coat hanger in the line. I pressed the rubber tip of my air gun into the oil pressure switch hole and let her rip! Nasty-ass white mucus looking snot came out of my supply line into the catchpan. I wonder how I got water into my oil? I put her all back together and added .6 quart of oil and fired her up. No oil light and no ticking on the top end. All is well again.
1) So where would the water come from?
2) Clean yr pipes once in a while.

 

[05chop]

Another check while oil pressure line or return line is off check inside diameter of your oil lines.I have seen oil lines grow shut from excessive heat not that common but a needed check.

 

[BadDawg Bill]

If your engine doesn't get to 220* it won't burn off water and deposits. I learned this the hard way with my corvette. I added oil coolers to keep it below 200* and the motor blew up....

 

[Coolbreezin]

Good info. Thank you both. Where would the water come from? Its not like I would have condensation anywhere in my scooter.

 

[BadDawg Bill]

Good info. Thank you both. Where would the water come from? Its not like I would have condensation anywhere in my scooter.

The humidity makes condensation everywhere including your oil tank and gas tank. When you bike cools down the oil tank sucks in humid air which turns into water. When your oil hits 220* it burns off the water and any deposits in the oil...

Think of when you take a shower and the mirror fogs up. The same thing happens in your oil tank and gas tank...

 

[Coolbreezin]

Were in FL, its always 220*. lolol

 

[Th3InfamousI]

I did an oil/filter change just before Biketoberfest. Five days ago my oil light came and stayed on. Well, with BDM having a history of electrical issues, I listened to the heads and felt the fins. All seemed well, but to be safe we rode home. I did my research and concluded the oil pressure switch may have died and/or the ground line had broken. I R&R the switch and started the bike, didnt help. I looked around under the bike and followed the wires, everything seemed to be ok. I took the brand new switch out and noticed no oil had gotten to it, so I took the front rocker cover off and there was oil there. So I began to think that maybe the pressure in the engine moved oil up to the top end but nothing was coming from the sump. I disconnected the supply line from the sump and gently pushed a metal coat hanger in the line. I pressed the rubber tip of my air gun into the oil pressure switch hole and let her rip! Nasty-ass white mucus looking snot came out of my supply line into the catchpan. I wonder how I got water into my oil? I put her all back together and added .6 quart of oil and fired her up. No oil light and no ticking on the top end. All is well again.
1) So where would the water come from?
2) Clean yr pipes once in a while.

What do you mean disconnect supply line from the sump? You mean supply to the pump?

Oil goes in via the left side of pump and out via right side and up to filter and back to tank.

The line going directly into the cam chest is a vent.

Just trying to get an idea what line your talking about. I got zero oil pressure now and about to take it all apart.

Sent from my 831C using Tapatalk

 

[Coolbreezin]

The red arrow is the line I cleaned out.

 

[BadDawg Bill]

Were in FL, its always 220*. lolol

I'm in Fl, you are in south Alabama.....

 

[Coolbreezin]

Went for a nice backroad ride today, about 130 miles total. The calming trees and temperature really gave me time to think about the recent fix (see above). It dawned on me today that the oil light kept flickering periodically the past few months. I raised the idle and it stopped doing it, for the most part. Now, I see that the flickering was because of the struggle the oil had getting past the spooge accumulated in my supply line. Perhaps its overkill, but I think Im going to R&R all the oil lines and clean them out.

 

[Coolbreezin]

FYI:
Here is the gauge I ordered.
http://www.catalystcycles.com/60-psi-oil-pressure-gauge-kit-for-shovelhead
Eventhough it says shovelhead, they said it will fit my scooter.

 

[byrddog]

Frequent short rides (bar hopping) could cause the build up in the oil lines. Not accusing-just saying.

 

[Coolbreezin]

Frequent short rides (bar hopping) could cause the build up in the oil lines. Not accusing-just saying.

I dont take that personally. I tend to use my bike as more a touring rig (as much touring as I can do on a hardtail). So Im not understanding where this would have come from. Im looking at getting an oil temp gauge/dipstick now. Any recommendations?

 

[Coolbreezin]

Ill accept the "never changing the oil" theory. I mentioned the length of my trips to show that the oil does get completely hot. Not oil line build up. But the issue is water in the oil, not sludge from the oil.

 

[Coolbreezin]

Gotcha.
What I dont understand is being in FL for the life of the bike and dealing with traffic, events, so on. How could I get condensation in the tank or anywhere else? Its just too damn hot here. Anyway, I'll just clean out the pipes every couple of years.

 

[Coolbreezin]

I purchased a 60psi gauge. Just to be different and to avoid the ugly set up of placing it with the pressure switch, Im thinking of putting it right before the oil filter. Would this location give a false reading?

 

[pauly]

Oil filter is on return - scavenger pump side.

Paul.

 

[BadDawg Bill]

Gotcha.
What I dont understand is being in FL for the life of the bike and dealing with traffic, events, so on. How could I get condensation in the tank or anywhere else? Its just too damn hot here. Anyway, I'll just clean out the pipes every couple of years.

Hey, here in Fl I clean out my pipes at least once a week. More if I get the wife drunk....

 

[Coolbreezin]

I installed the oil pressure gauge. I read where the pressure would be around 20-40lbs when first started, then drop to about 5lbs when warmed up. My bike when straight to 30lbs and eventually dropped to 20lbs once warm. I didnt go for a ride but she idled for about 10 minutes. Attached are pics of where I mounted it. The screen was inside the engine so i left it there. Could the screen be the cause of the gauge reading so high?

 

[BadDawg Bill]

View attachment 37571
View attachment 37572

I installed the oil pressure gauge. I read where the pressure would be around 20-40lbs when first started, then drop to about 5lbs when warmed up. My bike when straight to 30lbs and eventually dropped to 20lbs once warm. I didnt go for a ride but she idled for about 10 minutes. Attached are pics of where I mounted it. The screen was inside the engine so i left it there. Could the screen be the cause of the gauge reading so high?

Mine went to 70lbs and then slowly dropped down to 15 - 20 lbs at idle...