OIL OUT OF EXHASUT-Help - Harley Davidson Forums: Harley Davidson Motorcycle Forum

tbear66442 · 10-12-2009, 11:02 PM

I have an 80 Sportster with 2400 miles. Has been a garage queen
for a lot of years. I have just put on 6 miles. I started today and
smoke was coming from exhaust on front cylinder. I shut off and
noticed fresh oil burning in exhaust. Prior to starting today it ran
great and no smoke. Any ideas???????? I can't belive I have a
bad ring since it only has 2400 miles and was running clean with
zero smoke. Know alot about cars but not a lot about bikes. I
guess I'll learn. Any help, appreciated.

Ted

chardhin1999 · 10-12-2009, 11:10 PM

New oil, new oil filter? did you change the plugs? Basically did you take it out of the garge when it has been sitting for many years and start it up?

chardhin1999 · 10-12-2009, 11:11 PM

Also if you go to the new members section and give a proper introduction peeps round here will respond lot faster

zetaseven · 10-13-2009, 06:25 AM

May have been some rust on the cylinders, might have a stuck ring. Motors that sit for long periods of time need to be preped before firing um up. A buddy of mine bought a 96 sportster with about 500 miles on it, had to rebuild the motor 2 months later. Doing the same thing as yours,,when motor was torn down, rust had scarred the cylinders.

**Dave63** · 10-13-2009, 07:13 AM

If you have oil in the exhaust, then you have a piston/ring issue, or a valve guide issue. However, as well, it would be smoking like a pig......

Take the plug out and look at it. That will identify if it's burning the oil.

As well, that cylinder should show up low or a compression test. Also look for a cylinder over the top, high..... like over 120 lbs, when the other cylinder is 95-105. That indicated a ring issue.

My guess is that it's this.....

You own a 30 year old bike that's barely ridden (2400 in 30 years??) and started every so often, and not ridden long enough. Carbon will build up in the exahaust because the bike is running with the choke on more then with it off.

Once the engine exhaust starts going through the pipes, condensation begins, and if enough carbon is present, it mixes with it and can be mistaken for oil.....

If you're positive that it is oil, then more then likeley the engine is Sumping. On a bike that sits for so long, the oil check ball sticks and the engine pukes oil.

You really need to take it out and ride it more often.........and for a good ride, enough to completely heat it up and not just around the block.

Tennjack · 10-13-2009, 09:53 PM

all i gotta say is how in the "Hell" can you let a bike sit for so long ?!? and after its been sitting for so long a time theres certain things you need to do before trying to start it ..

chardhin1999 · 10-14-2009, 12:41 AM

he bought the bike recently it was sitting for a while, he pm'd me earlier.

lump_digity · 10-14-2009, 08:36 PM

combustion byproducts are often mistaken for oil.....by this I mean, as dave stated, condesation mixed with carbon (from both new unburned fuel, as well as old unburned fuel) will look JUST like oil.

the first step, without question is to determine where it is coming from. Valve, rings or maybe byproducts.

If it were mine I would do this first. gather a specimen on a clean white piece of plastic. rub it in your fingers, smell it. put a dab of engine oil on the same plastic, rub it, smell it... Is it exactly the same? is it oil, or are you unsure? if not oil then it is carbon and the bike needs to be warmed up, oil changed and ridden appx 50 miles straight. if it IS oil go to next step.

remove plug and look at it. is it oil fouled? yes? we need to determine why.

if a valve guide is worn/leaking oil adding oil to the cyl will NOT change compression. if the rings are rusted in place or the cyl is rusty adding oil WILL improve compression.
ground the plug wires to protect the coil and test the compression.
test before and after adding oil to the cylendars. and record and report back.

tbear66442 · 10-15-2009, 05:54 PM

I'll check what you have suggested. One point is that there was
no problem and no smoke until problem suddendly appeared. Will let you know what I find. Also, definately fresh oil coming out exhaust and looks as fresh as new.
Thanks,
Ted

gruss · 10-15-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbear66442

I'll check what you have suggested. One point is that there was
no problem and no smoke until problem suddendly appeared. Will let you know what I find. Also, definately fresh oil coming out exhaust and looks as fresh as new.
Thanks,
Ted

any abnormal ticking issues ?
valve guide dropped ?
piston ring breakage?
bent valve stem?
as simple as it is, a quick teardown may be in order....IMHO