1987 EVO Motor Question
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas Nv
1987 EVO Motor Question
When my 87 EVO sits for a couple of weeks,when I start the engine up, oil is pumped out of the engine sump into the breather making a huge mess. I have replaced the check ball and spring , along with cleaned the seat. If this don't work, any other suggestions?
This only began happening the last couple of years when I infrequently rode it. A couple of shops I talked to ( non HD) indicated this was normal! I don't think so.
What are your experiences??
Thanks
This only began happening the last couple of years when I infrequently rode it. A couple of shops I talked to ( non HD) indicated this was normal! I don't think so.
What are your experiences??
Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 328
Likes: 72
From: SE TN
normal ? Yea it can be.. This is referred to as "sumping" it has been happening to HDs back even before the Panheads.... But ya don't have to live with it..
cleaning it just ain't enuff..
Your seat needs lapped or burnished to get that positive seal.
Lapping it requires using a check ball & braze it to a long rod, add a bit of valve lapping compound (not much) cause ya don't want ANY to get in the pump !!! & rotate it like 1/2 turns back & forth.. Keep doing this till you see a clean even seating surface all around..Clean out thoroughly add new check ball & new spring & reassemble..
There is also a seat cutter, for bad seats..
I would suggest also: take yer breather hose outta yer air box & aim it under the bike & add a tiny filter breather.. Leave it under there...
Plug the hole in the backing plate..
cleaning it just ain't enuff..
Your seat needs lapped or burnished to get that positive seal.
Lapping it requires using a check ball & braze it to a long rod, add a bit of valve lapping compound (not much) cause ya don't want ANY to get in the pump !!! & rotate it like 1/2 turns back & forth.. Keep doing this till you see a clean even seating surface all around..Clean out thoroughly add new check ball & new spring & reassemble..
There is also a seat cutter, for bad seats..
I would suggest also: take yer breather hose outta yer air box & aim it under the bike & add a tiny filter breather.. Leave it under there...
Plug the hole in the backing plate..
Last edited by Buddy7394; Nov 7, 2008 at 12:15 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 12
From: Arizona
my 90 will do that if it sits for a month or more. i did the same thing, cleaned the seat, installed a new check ball and it will still do it. i just make sure i start every week or two. sometimes it can take alot to fix it, like getting a new oil pump. theres a guy on ebay that sells a inline check valve setup, says it will work on harleys. does the same thing as the original setup in the harley stock oil pump but its mounted inline and you can see through it to see if oil is getting past the valve. i have thought about getting one but as long as i start my bike once in awhile its ok.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,200
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Yeah, as has been said, they pretty much all do that. Some worse than others. Mine will do it after a couple months. Always has. I used to go to sea for 6 months at a time and I'd just always count on it when I got back. If I haven't ridden for a while today, I put a oil drain catch pan under the bike before I start it. I also think that synthetic oils are worse about it. I, of course, have my hose routed to the bottom of the bike to a little filter.
This topic should be a FAQ somewhere. It comes up all the time. Even a friend of mine in my British car club asked me about it on his 74 Shovelhead.
This topic should be a FAQ somewhere. It comes up all the time. Even a friend of mine in my British car club asked me about it on his 74 Shovelhead.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,421
Likes: 2,621
From: NC USA
All the above is true and correct but a few more things...
The oil pump shaft seal is more often the culprit on the pump, but the most common things are:
Excessive blow-by which forces an abnormal amount of oil vapor into the breather hose itself. Keeps the vapor on the scavange side "whirled" up on everything, not allowing it to settle to the sump gears when running. Then after sitting a long while, it settles and the pump cannot pick up the liquid fast enough, then the blow-by pushes the extra out the vent on start-up.
Then there's the breather gear itself. They are plastic and will wear out. Also they can easily break teeth, but I've yet to see one get out of time because of a broken tooth. Most people will advise a metal breather gear, but I have very mixed feelings about that.
So yes, it's "normal" to a degree but I think 2 weeks should not make that big of a mess. Check your compression (by the book) and if it's 145 or less, suspect worn rings/pistons. If the compression is good, maybe check the breather gear in the nose cone.
But no matter what, by ALL MEANS, disconnect the pipe from the air cleaner and route it in a loop (higher than the block fitting) then down under the bike - slip on filter optional. Even a new engine of that era will let out a drop or 5 after sitting a few days on start-up and usually a drop or 2 after running is normal. Most dealers did what I (and others) just mentioned on the 1st warranty checkup.
And if you don't like any of the suggestions, just ride it a lot more often - life will be better if you do
The oil pump shaft seal is more often the culprit on the pump, but the most common things are:
Excessive blow-by which forces an abnormal amount of oil vapor into the breather hose itself. Keeps the vapor on the scavange side "whirled" up on everything, not allowing it to settle to the sump gears when running. Then after sitting a long while, it settles and the pump cannot pick up the liquid fast enough, then the blow-by pushes the extra out the vent on start-up.
Then there's the breather gear itself. They are plastic and will wear out. Also they can easily break teeth, but I've yet to see one get out of time because of a broken tooth. Most people will advise a metal breather gear, but I have very mixed feelings about that.
So yes, it's "normal" to a degree but I think 2 weeks should not make that big of a mess. Check your compression (by the book) and if it's 145 or less, suspect worn rings/pistons. If the compression is good, maybe check the breather gear in the nose cone.
But no matter what, by ALL MEANS, disconnect the pipe from the air cleaner and route it in a loop (higher than the block fitting) then down under the bike - slip on filter optional. Even a new engine of that era will let out a drop or 5 after sitting a few days on start-up and usually a drop or 2 after running is normal. Most dealers did what I (and others) just mentioned on the 1st warranty checkup.
And if you don't like any of the suggestions, just ride it a lot more often - life will be better if you do
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 8
From: Earth
When my 87 EVO sits for a couple of weeks,when I start the engine up, oil is pumped out of the engine sump into the breather making a huge mess. I have replaced the check ball and spring , along with cleaned the seat. If this don't work, any other suggestions?
This only began happening the last couple of years when I infrequently rode it. A couple of shops I talked to ( non HD) indicated this was normal! I don't think so.
What are your experiences??
Thanks
This only began happening the last couple of years when I infrequently rode it. A couple of shops I talked to ( non HD) indicated this was normal! I don't think so.
What are your experiences??
Thanks
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas Nv
Thanks fellas, I never had the problem until I DID let the scoot sit for long period of times, but even when sitting over the winter it never did it. More investigating to come I guess , it did not do it for at least 15 years
Thanks Again
Thanks Again
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Huntersville, NC
http://www.bigboyzcycles.com/showthread.php?t=87
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
I wouldn't accept that. Here is the fix for your check ball issues :
http://www.bigboyzcycles.com/showthread.php?t=87
http://www.bigboyzcycles.com/showthread.php?t=87
Something else that won't "fix" the problem, but will prevent it from happening, is to install a straight-through quarter-turn plug valve in the line between the oil tank and the oil pump. The plug valve will not impede the flow. BUT(!!!!!), ya better remember to open the valve before you start the engine!
Last edited by pococj; Nov 15, 2008 at 10:14 AM. Reason: Added plug valve "fix"