R65LS 1982 carb leak

[jgp1854]

Bob,

I think I've attached (3) photos of the "pooling".

Jim

[jgp1854]

Bob

Here are some views of the "pooling".

thanks

Jim

[Barry]

From the pictures I don't see that as breather mist dripping from the inlet elbow. It's not the place oil would collect from that source.  Sure the wind could blow it about but backwards not forwards.

I know you checked all these things but I suppose it could be the carb to head inlet rubber or a leaking bowl gasket. If it was pure fuel though you'd expect it to run clear once any external oil had been washed off.  

[montmil]

Barry makes an excellent observation.

Unless the camera is playing optical tricks with us, that drip collecting on the carb spring bracket looks to be a mix of oil and fuel.

The left-side carb is most often the source of excess oil leeching from the intake tube from air box. Just a thought here... Could the oil be due to an over-filled crankcase?

Thick silicone bowl gaskets are available for the Bings. If there is an inequity in the carb body-to-bowl mating surfaces, these thick gaskets are an easy fix.

[Bob_Roller]

There's another thread about oil on the float bowl going on right now .

I'll have to agree that this looks more like oil from the crankcase breather, rather than a fuel leak .

What level do you keep your oil level at ?

I was guilty of always topping the oil level up and had a constant oil drip from the left carb .

I now keep it at about the half level and rarely get any oil dripping anymore .

I think I'd hold back on doing anything else with the carb , I'd remove the inlet tube on the left side, clean all the oil out and drop the engine oil level to about the half level and see if it helps any .

If you have the enthusiasm, remove the top cover on the engine and check the crankcase breather valve, it's just a reed valve type valve .

There's a small hole in the plate that the reed valve is bolted to, check to see if it is open, it allows oil to drip back into the engine after it's shut down .

It's hard to say, if a previous owner has been in there and forgot to put things back together correctly .

Honestly, I don't think you'll find anything wrong, this is just one of those 'quirks' the bike has .

[jgp1854]

Barry,

I concur that it seems like it would be blown rearward, but what if it seeps  and pools after shutting down?  When the carbs were rebuilt, I installed new rubber inlets and plastic elbows on both sides.  As noted, I've installed two new bowl gasket.

MM, BR

Typically, I fill the oil closer the to the top side, but short of the line.  I will check today and see precisely where the level is.  I concur that this looks like a mix of gas/oil.  And I also noted that the connections of the plastic elbow and the carb, is adjacent to the "brass nipple", which I initially thought was the perpetrator, due to the dampness, and downward angel the carb is positioned to allow for the pooling on the throttle return bracket.  But now the dialog on the breather inlet and oil level puts me on the trail of another suspect or two.  I have a set of the rubber bowl gaskets, but will wait to see what I find with the inlet line and oil level.

I would also like to nominate the three of you for Honorary Doctorate Degrees in "AIRHEADOLGY".  You guys rock!!

thanks

Jim

[montmil]

A PhD in Airhead?

Well, Bengt Phorqs would say that pretty much describes me.

[jgp1854]

MM,

Glad you saw the humor in it!  

In checking the engine oil level, COLD, dipstick set in, not screwed in, the level was a freckle above half.  Likely, a bit lower than what I filled it at during the last oil/filter change.

I've taken things apart since reading the responses.  I found the air box general area to be dry.  Removing the black rubber lines, I did detect small amounts of oil, I used a q/tip to dap up the residue in the crevices and general area where is was.  Not sure if what I found was typical amount or an excess, just didn't seem like a lot?  I cleaned the rubber fitted hoses and the clear plastic thingamabob that goes inside the plastic elbow and the rubber fitted tube affixes to.  Not sure what else I can do?

I've attached some pics showing how it looked when I opened it up and how the oil appeared in the fitted rubber hoses for your perusal and feedback.

To the fine scholarly "Doctors", my heartfelt thanks.

Jim

[jgp1854]

Bob,

You noted to remove the LEFT inlet lines?  The issue is on the RIGHT side.  Do I need to remove the left?  I've removed the right and cleaned them.

Jim

[Bob_Roller]

I don't think you really need to, from your pictures, it's looks normal .

One thing I would suggest, is to replace the gasket under the breather housing, or at least get some oil resistant sealer on it .

It will make a mess of things in that area .

[jgp1854]

Bob

Pulled the cover off the breather housing and looked at the reed valve, it looks normal to me.  I've included some pics, let me know if you things it looks like it is suppose to?

thanks

Jim

[Bob_Roller]

Everything looks good there, all of the pieces are there and in good shape .

If the top cover you removed to gain access to the breather valve is difficult to get off and on, file the ends down a bit so it fits better .

On my '81 R65, you couldn't remove the cover if the engine has hot, it was that tight of a fit .