No Oil in the Oil tank

[Phil]

They use it in manufacture Jon.

As long as it went back in & doesn`t leak it should be fine.

[stian]

Originally Posted by Monkeybrain

It looked like the last of the oil from the crankcase that came out, well mucky.

If its not supposed to come out, what was it for? And have I fcukked it up?

No mate, rather the opposite. (Anyone, correct me if I'm wrong)
You just got yourselt a Really Easy way to do this

So - All Jolly Good as far as i can understand?

all the best
STIAN

[stian]

Heyho,

Sorry i didnt conclude this thread earlier. This issue has now been resolved.
The problem was as i mentioned initially that All the oil from the oiltank had drained past the valve and into the crankcase. This happened as the bike has been stood for 3 years.

So this is what i did
- Took the spark plugs out and soaked the cylinders with wd40 / engine oil. (as its been stood for years..)
- Then lifted the rear wheel off the ground, got it into 4th and Pulled the wheel for about two hours (with ignition off) Manual labour. What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.

Then drained the oil from the tank and replaced. Fitted the old battery that had been on trickle charge for years. It started on the Button!
Were I pleased!

I've moved to Barcelona since my first post. So if anyone needs help with handling spanish customs - Im oficially an expert. Got mine through toll free ! I'll start another thread on that on request :-)

best regards
STIAN

[Steppenwulf]

Thanks for the update Stian, glad you got yourself sorted.
And that's a big "YES PLEASE" on a new thread on clearing Spanish customs.
The question has cropped up from time to time and someone's first hand experience of the process would make for a useful reference.

[stian]

Hey wulf,
Yes, great to have that bike sorted! Enjoying every mile! ..or Km that is
Funnily enough, I couldnt find a step by step sollution to this oil-in-the-crank problem anywhere on the 'net.
So hope this may help someone...

Regarding that spanish customs writeup - will do,
Could you suggest which forum I should post it in?

[Steppenwulf]

Post it up in 'Virtual Rally',
Cheers.

[right charlie]

this is a "common" problem with big twins being put up over winter and used to be called "wet sumping"
its just as others have said, the oil from the tank finds itself down past the mechanical valve into the crank/"sump"

its easy to remedy as you did
remove the spark plugs
remove the air filter
take off the filler cap
in 5/6th gear turn over the rear wheel (on a suitable stand) to ease/coat the bores, for a couple of minuites
you can cover the breather if you want (but not crutial)
then turn the bike over on the starter motor for a minuite (in small bursts)
it will then put the oil back into the tank
check the amount of oil in tank
pop plugs etc back in and run her up
then check oil as usual.

this can happen even if your bike is laid-up for 3 months or so. or if its been at a very steep angle (such as taken down a steep flight of stairs (like i have to do every winter)

i knew someone who checked there oil after a long lay-up, and finding no oil in the tank proceeded to put 3 liters of blood in, then started the bike up and (with the other 3/4 litres) in the crank...blew the thing up, litraly.

be carefull out there.

[stian]

I think we can, with Charlies final words (right Charlie?) - say this thread has been concluded. many thanks to ya all for helpful input (!)

[hottdigetydog]

can this prob happen on later Harleys? had to get up at midnight and creep down to the shed with me Flashlight, and peer in the oil tank of my Fatboy. thankgod the wife didnt wake up

[Kernow]

Yes it can, for various reasons my 2000 Fat Boy hasn't been used for a few months, and the oil tank is empty. So I am going to do what has been suggested and try and get the oil back into the tank. Apart from the manual labour of turning the rear wheel for a while, seems quite straightforward, and I do have a bike lift.