88 Softail
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Stage II
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2
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From: aboyne Scotland
88 Softail
Hi guys,
Haven't ridden for 2 years (house move and new job). Started the Hog and after a short ride, I have oil blowing out the oil tank filler hole. Thought I'd overfilled it so drained off enough to just touch the bottom of the dipstick. Still blowing out. Help! Any ideas? Steve
Haven't ridden for 2 years (house move and new job). Started the Hog and after a short ride, I have oil blowing out the oil tank filler hole. Thought I'd overfilled it so drained off enough to just touch the bottom of the dipstick. Still blowing out. Help! Any ideas? Steve
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
Usually when an old Evo sits, oil seeps past the oil pump check valve and fills up the crankcase. Then when you try to start it, it blows oil out the breather tube at the rear or the motor. That usually stops when the oil finally get pumped back into the oil tank. It looks worce then it really is. I told my friend to put a clean pan under the breather tube when he starts it. This way he could pour the oil back into the bike when it stops leaking. Be sure not to overfill the tank. Some guys have put another 3 qts of oil in the tank when they first check the oil before they start it. Then you'll have oil all over everything.,,
If a Twin Cam Softail sits long enough it will sump the cases as well. Anytime you check the oil on Softail it is supposed to be run before hand.
If you stored it with oil in it and there is none on the floor, it's in the bottom of the motor. People forget this and add another 2.5 quarts because they look in the tank and see no oil. Then as soon as it is started you have oil coming out the tank and if an EVO the breather.
If it's an EVO, you want to disable the ignition and try to crank it and get some oil returning to the tank otherwise you have a huge mess.
In either case, it sounds like it wet sumped and was over-filled.
If you stored it with oil in it and there is none on the floor, it's in the bottom of the motor. People forget this and add another 2.5 quarts because they look in the tank and see no oil. Then as soon as it is started you have oil coming out the tank and if an EVO the breather.
If it's an EVO, you want to disable the ignition and try to crank it and get some oil returning to the tank otherwise you have a huge mess.
In either case, it sounds like it wet sumped and was over-filled.
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From: South Carolina
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
I took it as if he was talking about a 1988 Softail. If he meant a 88 cu in Softail, then what I posted doesn't apply. But if he's blowing oil out the oil tank, it sounds like clogged breather vents that's allowing internal crankcase pressure to vent back into the oil tank. Too much oil in the motor would do the same thing.,,
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 32
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From: Stonehaven, Scotland
Sorry, been away a couple of days. It's a 1340 Evo, 1988 model. I've been for a run today, and same problem. The oil isn't coming out of the breather, it's coming back out of the oil tank filler. I've drained off about half a pint, and the oil just touches the dipstick, and the tank looks three quarters full.
When it's running, I can see the oil circulating in the tank, and I thought that, because the oil had filled the sump, it would clear itself.
Another thing, my horn doesn't work and the red dash light is staying on. Related? Not to the oil!
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From: South Carolina
Check the crankcase breather hose, make sure it is not obstructed or kinked.
Is the breather hose still connected to the carburetor backing plate, or has it been re-routed?
Also check the vent hose between the crankcase and the oil tank.
The oil pressure light is staying on?
Do the turn signals and brake lights work?
Is the breather hose still connected to the carburetor backing plate, or has it been re-routed?
Also check the vent hose between the crankcase and the oil tank.
The oil pressure light is staying on?
Do the turn signals and brake lights work?
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; May 16, 2015 at 12:29 PM.