Blowin' dipsticks
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Blowin' dipsticks
My 98 Heritage (Evo) has 128,000 miles but this particular motor only has 26,000 on it. Performance upgrades include; SE4 cam, Dakota Kid modified carb w/K&N air filter system, SE ignition and Cobra Speedster Longshots exhaust. Both motors have experienced this problem but it's been getting much worse lately. Problem: Lately I've been experiencing much more "blow by" than I previously had; bad enough that I need to add oil regularly. When I shut the bike off you can actually hear "gurgling" from the carburator and and oil/fuel mixture will continue to drip for a few seconds after shutdown. It appears that I haveexcessive crankcase pressure issue because I'm now blowing the dipstick out of the tank when I run it above 2500 rpm's. Just took off down the highway this afternoon and got slammed under the thigh when the dipstick blew out hard enough that it left a bruise. Any opinions you could share would be greatly appreciated. -scribe
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 181
From: Texas
RE: Blowin' dipsticks
Happened to me two months after I bought mine. Checked the oil during the week...engine cold, and saw oil level way low... so filled it up to proper dipstick level. First chance on Saturday I fired it up, pulled out of the garage.. and bam.. hit on the leg by the dipstick before oil flew all over the place...too much oil....Always check the oil level after the engine is warm...maybe 5 minutes running.
[IMG]local://upfiles/6335/E165E67654F94325ADE3EC7DA80666AB.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/6335/E165E67654F94325ADE3EC7DA80666AB.jpg[/IMG]
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 5
From: Bellville, Tx
RE: Blowin' dipsticks
Although it may be a case of overfill, it is more likely that when you replaced the cam you may have not timed the breather gear correctly. This could cause the overpressure situation in the crankcase. There have been incidents where the mark on the gear is incorrectly placed. There is a recent thread that explains how to time the breather manually.
Overfilling can occur when the sump has a lot of excess oil when you fill the tank. It then pumps from the crankcase into the tank when you start the bike. You might try checking the oil level after the bike warms up to assure this is not the case.
Overfilling can occur when the sump has a lot of excess oil when you fill the tank. It then pumps from the crankcase into the tank when you start the bike. You might try checking the oil level after the bike warms up to assure this is not the case.
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
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RE: Blowin' dipsticks
Thanks for the feedback guys. I've been cautious about overfilling the tank so that shouldn't be the issue (the only time I've had an overfill issue was when the dealership did the oil change). What I did find last night was there was a pretty severe pinch in the breather hose on the carburator backing plate. I've fixed/replaced that issue and will know more when I ride today. I did check with the shop that did the SE4 cam replacement and they said it was a matter of routine to confirm that the breather gear is set correctly; so I'll have to take their word on it (at this point anyway). When I removed the carb I also noted that most of the oil/gas mixture was coming from the front cylinder; perhaps an umbrella valve issue... we're still trying anyway. I'll be sure to let you know the results. Thanks for your help.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, KY
RE: Blowin' dipsticks
Sounds like it is an issue with your breather gear. A buddy of mine with a 98 Heritage had this same exact problem. He would start smoking a bit and if he brought the RPM's up real fast it would blow the dipstick out. This turned out to be his breather gear also.
S&S now makes a reed valve to replace the stock plastic gear that Harley uses. The best thing about this reed valve is there are no moving parts so you never have to worry about it coming out of time again...and its under $100 fix.
S&S now makes a reed valve to replace the stock plastic gear that Harley uses. The best thing about this reed valve is there are no moving parts so you never have to worry about it coming out of time again...and its under $100 fix.
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
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RE: Blowin' dipsticks
Thanks KY; I've heard of the S&S fix and will put it at the top of the list (there's always a list). I've had the bike out after replacing the (kinked) breather hose on the carb and didn't have any further issues, either with "blow by" or the dipstick blowing out. I ran it at various speeds up to 80mph and no problem. Other than the fix the only other difference is the outside air temp is 50 degrees vs. 70 yesterday. Checked the oil hot and it's right where I left it. I've got a 3,000 mi. run to Texas and back on Monday and need this always reliable Evo back to always reliable. Real fast. Thanks again for everyones advice. Great forum.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
From: Pacific North-Wet
Oil Pressure Issues
Although my dipstick hasn't actually blown out, there is always a dribble of lube oil running out of the dipstick seal down the oil bag at the end of a ride.
I installed the KrankVentŽ system from J&P, but the problem seems to have gotten worse.
My oil level is correct, the valve in the KrankVent is aligned in the right direction, and I installed all new hoses and clamps.
Maybe I'm destined to ride with oily legs.
I installed the KrankVentŽ system from J&P, but the problem seems to have gotten worse.
My oil level is correct, the valve in the KrankVent is aligned in the right direction, and I installed all new hoses and clamps.
Maybe I'm destined to ride with oily legs.
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 682
Likes: 1
From: In the World
++++++......check hot oil on jiffy stand...suck out hot oil until u are 1/2 to low....see if that sorts out pressure issue. I've seen this happen on brand new bikes....invest in oil pressure gauge. I never run a motor w/o an oil pressure gauge.