[Scott S]

I recently started noticing small oil puddles under my engine after riding. I traced the "leak" back to my air filter area (the crankcase exhaust tube?). After doing some research, it appears that "blow-by" can cause this to happen. My bike has 20K miles on it, and it started leaking last fall after I had an 18K mile service performed by a Kawasaki dealer. During the service, they adjusted the valves and, of course, replaced the oil. Has anyone had experience with blow-by, and would changing the oil or adjusting the valves cause this to happen for some reason?

Thanks!

 

[QKENUF4U]

too much oil will cause this.
other causes are worn rings etc.
does the bike smoke ? (at idle/decel)

 

[Scott S]

I just checked the oil and it's in mid-range now. I don't notice the bike smoking either. If I have worn rings, will I see smoke? The funny thing about this problem is that it started almost right after I had the 18K mile service performed, which leads me to the cause being something that they did during the service. However, it may be just coincidence.

Also, I thought I had been noticing a lack in performance around the 50-60 mph range. It may be just my imagination, or it may be a hint as to what is causing the oil problem. Any suggestions as to what I can do to troubleshoot?

FYI, I have a K&M filter with Vance and Hines pipes. I bought it used and the person said it was rejetted. He got 53 hp readings when he measured the bike on the dyno. Other than that, everything else is stock.

Thanks again!

 

[T-man]

Which bike do you have? If it's a 1500, 53 HP may be a bit low, considering the changes. How many miles on the clock?

 

[Scott S]

I have an 800 classic with about 20K miles on it.

 

[Knightrider]

Oil in the air filter

Scott S
I hate to think a bike dealer might be at fault and I dont like to accuse anyone of the wrong thing but it is very possible that the valve adjustment came out wrong. First the oil in the air intake tells me that an intake valve might just be a little too tight and allowing combustion to slightly blow back into the air cleaner, thus contaminating the filter. The lack of power is also an indication of tight valves. When you get into higher rpms the valve timing is changed due to rpms and valve overlap. the fact that you noticed a lack of power after you had it serviced and after the valves were adjusted could be the combination that could tell you the story. Again, I hate to blame anyone for anything but I couldnt pass up this coincidence. I dont know what kind of bike you have so I cant say any more. I own an 02 800 classic. It has solid lifters. Some newer and larger bikes have hydraulic lifters of which never need adjusting. Adjusting solid lifters requires the use of different thickness shims to adjust the valves with. There are no adjusting screws. It is sort of an intricate operation. Bring it back to the dealer or whoever did the service. tell him of the combination of the oil in the air filter and the lack of power since you had the work done. I dont think its blow by unless the first guy never changed the oil and thats not likely. Along with blowby comes smoke out the tailpipe and out of the crankcase breather or any tube comming out of the crankcase especially the little bottle under the bike that catches blow by oil. It just might be a very slightly tight valve.

 

[Scott S]

Knightrider, thanks for the fantastic insight!

I'll get in touch with the dealer and let you know what happens.

Thanks again.