Oh Noes..... The Rodent's sick already.

[Ghost Lemur]

Well it's actually a reasonably nice day today, so I thought I'd pull the Rodent out of the garage and turn her over, maybe have a blat around the backyard.

So went into the garage, first thing I noticed was three oil (?) patches. So I wheeled her out on to the concrete slab out back. Started her up and she gutsed black smoke.

Left her to idle, and looked through the engine to see if I could tell what was wrong (bit hard when you have no idea what your looking at). First thing I noticed was a very distinct smell of petrol. and some drops of petrol on the ground under the bike. Looked under the tank and as you'll see in the first pic there this box looking thing leading down from the tank? Well there were some drops of petrol dangling from there. I looked under the bike and drips of oil seemed to be coming out of the tube used to drain the oil.

I also noticed a wet patch on the engine on the right hand side. Don't know if it was there before or not. Also noticed wetness (oil? petrol?) on the left hand side engine, where there's a big screw.

Here's some pics anyway. If anyone has any clues for me. Can take more photo's if needed (still have sis' digital camera).

[Big Dog]

Did somebody leave the fuel tap on?

If so oil may be from the fuel tap sripping onto other dirty parts and "degreasing" onto your concrete.

When it was at operating temp (with the choke fully in idling smoothly) is it still blowing chunks?
If so put a peice of white card behind the exhaust and rev it up to about 3/4. Take a photo of the result and post. Also a high def well lit shot of the end pipe may help. Also tell me if there are rust colured odorless fluid spots. This would indicate water in your lines or pipes.

What color is the oil in the sight glass, is there enough but not too much when upright?

Is there air bubles or discoloration in the fuel filter?

[Big Dog]

Photo number three may hold the bad news.
Based on that photo I would have to guess someone at some point has had the head apart and sealed it with gasket goo (a gel used a temporary gasket replacement).
This is bad news becase it looks as though little heed has been paid to how carefully it was applied. Get someone with a little better mechanical knowledge to check and see if you have adequate oil pressure and circulation. It is not uncommon for this kind of repair to block flow holes. Not a problem short term but long term it affects the reliability and performance of your motor. Worst case seized motor.

[Motu]

Definatly looks like a fuel leak,someone has done a touch up on the engine some time ago with a spray can - the fuel is lifting the paint.You gotta look at that fuel tap to see if it's turning off - just pull a hose off,then sit down on a beer crate with a poor me look on your face and watch for drips...but stay away from mirrors,ok? Then move onto the carb.

[FROSTY:Me]

impossible to diagnose without the bike hre. Id suggest you left the fuel tap on --or a pipe /gasket in the fuel tap has sprung a leak.
the smoke could just be the excess fuel burning off

[Devil]

Slight thread hijack here. But my fuel tap has no off. Just on, res, and prime. Is that normal?

[pete376403]

yup, that is normal for a vacuum operated tap. Intake manifold vacuum opens a diaphragm and allows fuel to flow on either on or res. They are good in that fuel flow is cut off as soon as the motor stops. Prime allows fuel to flow when the engine is not running, ie if you need to fill up the carb(s) if the motor has been run dry, but you wouldn't normally leave it on prime once the engine is running.

[Jackrat]

Slight thread hijack here. But my fuel tap has no off. Just on, res, and prime. Is that normal?

Yes,It's a vacuum operated tap.
When you start the bike it will open,stop the bike an it will shut.
don't worry about it.

[Devil]

Yes,It's a vacuum operated tap.
When you start the bike it will open,stop the bike an it will shut.
don't worry about it.

Ok neato, thanks. So I could pull the pipes off the tap when in the 'on' position and nothing will come out? WHEEEEEEEEE.

[Big Dog]

Ok neato, thanks. So I could pull the pipes off the tap when in the 'on' position and nothing will come out? WHEEEEEEEEE.

Unless your engine is running

[Ms Piggy]

Did somebody leave the fuel tap on?

I'm confused now I thought you guys had said it's all sweet to leave the fuel tap on? I can't find the previous post where we talked about it though.

Actually what G/L is describing sounds a little like what's been happening with my bike over the last few days but I thought it may be to do with too much lube on my chain last time flicking around & getting on the pipes. Will go see my locals guys tommorrow after my exam!

[Devil]

I'm confused now I thought you guys had said it's all sweet to leave the fuel tap on? I can't find the previous post where we talked about it though.

Heya, yeah tis ok. But when the bike is being left for long periods (ie, weeks) it should be turned off.
I wouldnt worry about a couple of days or whatever.

[Big Dog]

The key here is it is ok if your tap does not leak.

Some tap types leak, others only if left for long periods, others only leak when the gasket wears out.

If yours does not leak you will only need to turn it off when removing the tank or storing for more than a week at a time.

[Ms Piggy]

The key here is it is ok if your tap does not leak.

Some tap types leak, others only if left for long periods, others only leak when the gasket wears out.

If yours does not leak you will only need to turn it off when removing the tank or storing for more than a week at a time.

Ahhhhhhhhh, ok - got it now. Thanks!

[Ghost Lemur]

Thanks for the replys so far.

Yes the fuel tap was left on iirc. Now know not to do that.

No it didn't seem to keep blowing black once it was left to warm up.

Like the third shot there is also oil? on the left hand side, where there is a huge screw and a second smaller one above it (sorry for the lack of technical detail). I'll go out to the garage and take a photo once the boys are asleep.

This is really frustrating as I had the guy put a new wof on it as a condition of my buying it.