Blown oil seals and erratic oil levels?

[scootnewb]

Another new issue.

I almost gave up on this scoot. It seemed like a black hole where money and time would go with little results.


I had some issues with my scooter starting and running. I bought new fuel items and did an oil changed that didn't yield any results.


When I changed the oil the dipstick read towards the top of the bumpy surface of the dip-stick. I was always told if the oil level was within the bumpy surface, it was good.



Today I wondered if the scoots problem was related to too much oil.

So I checked and the oil it read like there was way too much. So I drained a little out (very little) and the oil was reading dropped to the 1/2 way point of the bumpy surface of the dip-stick. WTF? I mean, I have changed oil on other vehicles I've owned and never had an over fill issue. I thought I had that down fam.


So...

I filled it up with gas and charged the battery. It started and was able to rev up on the stand. And it was pulling hard. Yes! I drove it down the street and back and it was running better than ever. I pulled back into the driveway and when I came to a complete stop it died out. No big deal I thought. I went and grabbed some gloves, and the paperwork for the scoot so I could go for a longer ride. When I came back It would no longer start easily or remain running. It would kind of bog and sputter. 

I went out a few minutes later to cover it and shut off the petcock and noticed oil had leaked from the bottom of the engine. This thing never leaked before.

What caused the strange difference in oil levels? Did the oil seals blow out? Do I have to split the case to fix it? Is there a guide on how to change the oil seals or whatever it is? Could the scooter run really well like it did if the motor was completely borked?



 

[gsx600racer]

First, Oil does not replicate itself(makes more of itself)

Chances are you have a petcock/carb float issues and excessive fuel is making its way into the crankcase(fuel leak)

[scootnewb]

Ah okay that makes sense. I guess I'll go back to the vacuum petcock. A couple times I accidentally left the manual one on. It seems though having the extra fluid in the case caused something to blow so now it leaks oil.

[GrumpyUnk]

"Oil leaked from the bottom of the engine"... well, gravity.

Checking the oil should be done with the scooter on the center stand. Checking while using the kick stand will give incorrect results, and make it easy to overfill the sump.
If you put it up on the center stand, and remove the left side drain plug and the bottom filter screen plug, you shoud have removed 95%+ of the oil, leaving very little. Replace the plug and the filter screen assembly, and then use a measured (in a marked container) 750cc of 10W40. Some say in their manuals to use 800ml. Either way, you should be pretty darn close to optimum level of lubricant.

To check your leaks, remove the seat & tub, and inspect. There are several seals/gaskets that can be enumerated: cam cover, timing chain tensioner, cylinder head gasket, cylinder base gasket, crankshaft seals at both ends, and case half gasket. Additionally, there is a breather for the cam cover which could blow oil out and rustproof your machine if not controlled.
To my knowledge there are no other spots to release lube, unless you have the 'summer version' of the crankcase where you ventilate by adding access ports to the crankcase. Most times accompanied by bent or shattered connecting rods.
Find which of the above are allowing leakage. You may have to remove the cooling fan shrouding to see(you will) certain of the potential leakers. Do not run without the shroud for any length of time... it will cook.

tom

[scootnewb]

Thanks you guys.

Today I went out to change the oil thinking gas was in it. I didn't smell any and there wasn't any oil underneath the scoot.  When I tried to start it, it would just... blub blub blub like it wasn't firing, or turning over. When it did fire it seemed to start for a sec but it would die when I let off the starter. So I left the starter going for a bit as it was turning over and when I let off the starter it died and a puff of white smoke came out the air filter. Does anyone know what that indicates?

So strange, yesterday it ran really well for a short ways so that makes me think I don't have the 'summer version'.

I will take off the shroud tomorrow and inspect closer, try a new plug and coil wire. I hope this get resolved. Not sure if I mentioned this but I suspect an overly 'tight' valve adjustment and or the oversized fuel filter I had on there was responsible for the strange little glitches it had before this big no start no go happened. When it ran and rode for that little bit yesterday I was so excited because it ran really well.

When the new scoot arrives. I'll take this one into the basement and remove everything so I can try to get all the rust off the frame then attempt to weld the lower seat brackets. One is bent and weak, if I bend it to the correct position it just bends back down. Then give it a fresh coat of paint or maybe, I think I know a friend who knows a friend that could powder coat it. Anyway, I've never welded before. My plan is to make this a completely naked scoot in the end and take apart the motor and put in some decent bottom end. Past wrenching debacles tell me this will be a total disaster but I bet I learn a lot from it.