gas in my motor oil?

[rob650]

When I drained out my crankcase oil today, It seemed like the oil flowed out very fast (for the bike being cold), and smelled like gasoline.  I'm concerned I've got the two mixing together, but can't figure out where/how.

The engine was cold, hadn't been run in 2 weeks.  Fuel petcock was off.  About 1000 miles since the last oil change, with 20w50 oil.  The bike has been dripping from the drain plug, enough to create a small puddle in the last 2 weeks, that was why I was draining it out to replace the washer on the plug.

Only thing I can think of is my rings going bad?  Other suggestions?

Thanks.

[Bob_Roller]

The only way you're going to get that much fuel into the oil sump, is from the carburetors .

I would check to see if your fuel tap is really shutting off the fuel flow, only other way to get fuel into the oil, is if a carb float valve isn't shutting off, but usually, you will get an external fuel leak from the carb bowl vent .

Was the bike on the center stand, or the side stand ?

These bikes don't like to be left on the side stand for an extended period of time .

If you were getting that much fuel past the piston rings, when the engine was running, I don't think the engine would be running very well at all .

[rob650]

Bike was on its sidestand the last two weeks.  Ill check the fuel petcock again to make sure its stopping the fuel flow.

[Bob_Roller]

The culprit is most likely the bike being left on the side stand .

If the fuel tap is shutting off, I don't think you have a problem, just one of the 'quirks' of the bike .

[Lucky_Lou]

I would also check the cross over fuel line isn,t leaking you could get fuel ingress through the oil breather pipes if its on the side stand ,long shot but worth a looksee. If the rings were that bad i think you would know about it.
Lou

[montmil]

Freshen the oil in the crankcase. I might consider just a wee squirt of motor oil through the sparkplug hole and rotate the engine via the rear wheel for a few engine revolutions... a little lube at start up would not hurt.

Monte

[nhmaf]

Hopefully your fuel petcock does actually shut off the flow of fuel when it is supposed to, and you may have simply forgotten to turn it off ?   If you had turned off the petcock, I'm afraid that it is time for a new one, or attempt to rebuild yours - certain versions of these seem harder to successfully rebuild than others.

The Bings can leak fuel into the cylinders sometimes even if the needles and seats are not worn - a tiny bit of dirt or sediment can block open a needle from seating fully and you've got the potential for a drip-drip-drip of petrol into the cylinder, especially from the "low" side cylinder if bike is on the side stand in this condition.

[steve hawkins]

I had the same thing happen to me after leaving the bike on the side stand for too long during the winter - a month or so.  In my case there was so much petrol in the oil, it was spewing out of my Cafe Racer.  

I am not running an airbox and to much oil had only one place to go - out the oil pressure release/breather.  First I new about it the bike was spewing fuel/oil.

fuel tap rebuild was the answer - I have not go a centre stand either.  fortunately the bike was only running for a minute or so.  Fresh oil and filter as well.

Same thing could happen if you left your tap on.......

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Steve,

You should get one of those paddock stands the racers use, for when the bike is at home.

[steve hawkins]

Well, I have now got a surefoot, which holds the bike up at a much more upright position than my original sidestand ever did - thats the one that eventually collapsed!

If you think your ike is keaning over too far, then I would recomend a surefoot - before the bike falls over!

[Ed Miller]

Are you pretty happy with that Surefoot?

My Surefoot has developed a nasty habit of gradually working it's way down when I'm riding fast.  If I lube/clean the joint, it stops doing it for a few hundred miles, then starts again.  I emailed Motobins and he said he'd never heard of that happening, and suggested that maybe a stronger spring would help, so I'm going to look for one.

[Lucky_Lou]

When i stripped my frame down i noticed the "stop"on the side stand was worn back about 1/4 inch making the bike lean much more than originally intended.I rebuilt it with weld before spraying the frame !!! we digress a bit from the original topic but i thought this was relevant.
Lou

[steve hawkins]

The surefoot on my r100 seems to be 'not up completely' some times.  

I have found myself tapping it home with my foot on the odd occasion.  Now you mention it.  I will monitor it.

The one on the Cafe Racer is fine though, but nowhere near as old.

I prefer them as they are adjustable and you can have the bike at a far more upright angle - they also seem to be well made.

I will try a squirt of oil....and look at the spring.

Steve H

[rob650]

Thaks everyone, i think it was my open petcock + bike on sidestand that did it.

I've got the aftermarket sidestand (Brown ? ).  Dang I would LOVE a paddock stand in my garage

[Bob_Roller]

I've gotten into the habit of turning the fuel tap off about a half mile from work, and home, haven't had a problem in about 25 years with this .