Crankcase Blow-by

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Oct 28, 2010 | 09:50 AM

Brancajd

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Cruiser

Joined: Oct 2010

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Crankcase Blow-by

I have a 2006 Heritage Softail Classic that I just got in June. It had 4,301 miles on it. Shortly thereafter, I put a SE stage 1 air filter kit on it. I noticed that I would constantly smell oil or burnt oil smell after riding the bike, but never saw any leaks. Until recently! The crankcase has breather bolts on each cylinder head, there are tubes that feed into the back of the air filter that route the "oil mist" into the intake (WTF..oil mist?) Anyway, the oil mist was collecting on my filter, my filter could only absorb so much oil before it started to drip/leak down on to my engine..thus...the smell of burnt oil. To alleviate this problem, I removed the tubes from the backing plate and plugged the holes. I took a T-fitting and put the tubes on it and purchased a steel braided hose appliance line from home depot and ran that down the side of the engine near the oil lines and have it venting under the frame, near the rear shocks. I don't know about you guys, but the ONLY things that should be in the intake are air & fuel...NOT oil! (effin EPA, I know). I asked two of my friends that have Heritage's and stage 1 kits if they have the same issue, and they said no. I've read on numerous sites that this problem can be caused by an improperly mounted oil pump? If this is the case, then should I take this back to the dealer to have it realigned? Seems it may have been like this from day 1 since it left the factory? Your thoughts, as always, are greatly appreciated...
Jay

Oct 28, 2010 | 10:46 AM

the blob

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,570

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oil level too high? on a bike with only 4k miles thats what im thinking. 3 of my harleys that i owned have done this but it wasnt bad, id find a drop here and there. my sportster would would mist more oil than my big twins. but none were bad!

Oct 28, 2010 | 11:35 AM

Cheesecake

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 2,160

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From: Houston, Texas

+1 on the oil level... if it reads full..you have to much...

so with your new set-up your avoiding sending the blow-by back into the filter...and dumping it on the back tire?
I would also put a filter on the line....

CC

Oct 28, 2010 | 01:05 PM

DR. V-TWIN

Former Sponsor

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 19,364

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From: Los Angeles, CA

This can also become an issue with how you ride and the oil level. IF you have a heavy hand it is more likely to happen. I recently made a breather for mine too as this became an issue after my 95" build. It was never an issue before. I used some 1/4" copper pipe and drilled and tapped a set of breathers. I used some copper fittings from OSH and ran a hose down the front downtube and under the bike. It seems to work quite well. Here is a pic or two.
Blurry pic...