Sean
Hi there,
Got a new one (for me). Left the 990 (~30,000kms on it) sitting for about 2 ½ weeks while I was away with work, and when I started it up yesterday, noticed a hot oil smell (even the wife picked up on it). So stopped it, checked the oil level in the clear tube, which showed nada. No big oil leaks evident in the garage, and remember it being on the low side, but in range before I left. However, being on the way to work, with the caffeine not kicked in yet, wasn’t in a place to think about it enough. So whipped off the side covers and stuck the remaining 5-600mL of oil I had left into the tank. Started, let it warm up to 6 bars again, stopped it and checked, and now had enough oil to get a viewing in the tube, although still on the low side. Figured I’d grab some more oil on the way home from work.
Must have been nagging at me though because that oil had to have gone somewhere, so stopped a couple of k’s up the road and checked the oil again, and lo, the tank was full. Dunno why I didn’t think of it earlier, as I also have a Norton which is notorious for wet sumping, and I’ll have to dump the oil and stick it back in the tank before I give it a kick next time (after finding someone to hone the rear master cylinder, different story). So clearly over the two weeks, the oil has dribbled its way down into the crankcase (or possibly gearbox too, seeing as it didn’t get back into the tank until it had covered some ground). Tried the search here, and did find mention of at least one other user who couldn’t check his oil until he’d ridden a few blocks, so presumably had a wet sumping engine as well.
Anyway, long story short, the bike is going in for its second major service on Friday, with this being on the list of things for them to look at (other issues being air getting into front brake system somewhere-have to pump it plenty to get decent lever back every few days, and exhaust popping-presumably because graphite seals are gone). Have any of you guys come across wet sumping before? Is it indicative of anything? Is there a one way valve that presumably isn’t working/partially blocked? Or a seal/wear in the intake oil pump maybe?
Cheers,
Sean
Got a new one (for me). Left the 990 (~30,000kms on it) sitting for about 2 ½ weeks while I was away with work, and when I started it up yesterday, noticed a hot oil smell (even the wife picked up on it). So stopped it, checked the oil level in the clear tube, which showed nada. No big oil leaks evident in the garage, and remember it being on the low side, but in range before I left. However, being on the way to work, with the caffeine not kicked in yet, wasn’t in a place to think about it enough. So whipped off the side covers and stuck the remaining 5-600mL of oil I had left into the tank. Started, let it warm up to 6 bars again, stopped it and checked, and now had enough oil to get a viewing in the tube, although still on the low side. Figured I’d grab some more oil on the way home from work.
Must have been nagging at me though because that oil had to have gone somewhere, so stopped a couple of k’s up the road and checked the oil again, and lo, the tank was full. Dunno why I didn’t think of it earlier, as I also have a Norton which is notorious for wet sumping, and I’ll have to dump the oil and stick it back in the tank before I give it a kick next time (after finding someone to hone the rear master cylinder, different story). So clearly over the two weeks, the oil has dribbled its way down into the crankcase (or possibly gearbox too, seeing as it didn’t get back into the tank until it had covered some ground). Tried the search here, and did find mention of at least one other user who couldn’t check his oil until he’d ridden a few blocks, so presumably had a wet sumping engine as well.
Anyway, long story short, the bike is going in for its second major service on Friday, with this being on the list of things for them to look at (other issues being air getting into front brake system somewhere-have to pump it plenty to get decent lever back every few days, and exhaust popping-presumably because graphite seals are gone). Have any of you guys come across wet sumping before? Is it indicative of anything? Is there a one way valve that presumably isn’t working/partially blocked? Or a seal/wear in the intake oil pump maybe?
Cheers,
Sean
