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Message started by Tammi on 08/04/06 at 11:59:16

Title: Consequences of overfilled crankcase?
Post by Tammi on 08/04/06 at 11:59:16

Hi all,

I think that during my last oil change, I have slightly overfilled my crankcase with oil.

Are there any negative cnsequences of running a bike with too much oil?

I don't think it's overfilled a lot.

I didn't measure exactly the amout of oil that I put in -- I just used the tick marks on the side of the big plastic jug of oil and I estimated that I put about the right amount in.

But as I chack the oil level using the indicator window on my Thumper, I see that it's overfilled. But by exactly how much, it's hard to tell.

Cheers. Tammi

Title: Re: Consequences of overfilled crankcase?
Post by bentwheel on 08/04/06 at 12:25:53

A consequence of an overfilled crankcase is increased crankcase pressure. If it is excessive it could cause your oil seals to blow out. The Savage has a crankcase breather tube that will dump oil into your air box when pressure is too much. It's normal function is to move air in and out of your crankcase not oil. Here is what I would do, so you will be on the safe side. Gather two friends; one to hold the bike straight and the other to watch the site glass. Your job is to place a clean tray under the drain plug and slowly release the plug until oil begins to flow out. Don't take the plug completely out, keep it slightly attached to the sump. When your friend watching the site glass yells good, send the plug back into its home. If you mess up, you can return the correct amount of oil from your clean tray.
Another method would be to use a 70ml syringe with a length of tubing attached and suck out the excess through the fill hole. A turkey baster would work as well but don't tell your husband.

Title: Re: Consequences of overfilled crankcase?
Post by Reelthing on 08/04/06 at 12:38:15

how much too much? - if it's just a bit over the site glass mark probally doesn't matter much - but if it's like a quart too much now we have issues

Title: Re: Consequences of overfilled crankcase?
Post by Tammi on 08/04/06 at 13:16:26

Nowhere near a quart too much ... I hope! :o

In fact, if I lean the bike about 10-15 degrees (my rough estimate) from upright, I can get the oil level to read the proper amount.

When the bike is held straight up (as it should be for a correct reading), I see oil in the entire window.

Only by tilting the bike left of vertical can I actually see a horizontal line of the oil surface in the window.

I'll try the turkey baster/syringe method suggested by bentwheel. (No hubby, BTW. No turkey baster, either, for that matter. Who has time to cook? I'd rather be riding!)

In my car, I check oil level with a warmed-up engine, and I assume that I do the same thing with my bike, right?

Cheers. Tammi

Title: Re: Consequences of overfilled crankcase?
Post by vroom1776 on 08/04/06 at 14:26:09

Yep!

Title: Re: Consequences of overfilled crankcase?
Post by rokrover on 08/04/06 at 14:45:28

If the oil level is too high another risk is aeration by being churned under the crank / flywheel. Aerated oil, being full of bubbles, does not hold pressure well. This is bad for plain shell bearings like used on auto crankshafts and rods that may run at 40 to 60 psi. The Zook uses roller bearings that don't need nearly as high pressure. So the main worry is venting the excess as mentioned above.

Title: Re: Consequences of overfilled crankcase?
Post by enophile on 08/04/06 at 20:22:40

Doesn't sound like you overfilled it much so it probably won't be a problem.

When I first got mine, it was overfilled a lot. I think the previous owner thought he was supposed to actually fill the crankcase because I probably drained out 3 quarts. The air filter was clogged with oil and the breather case was full of standing oil as well. What a mess.