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Gas in crankcase

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by ERRKON, Mar 6, 2013.

  1. ERRKON

    ERRKON Member

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    So I made a mistake, After filling up I accidentally turned my petcock to prime, rode home, and let the bike sit for two days... So now my starter will engage every other, other time, and I can smell gas in the oil.

    My questions to you all are, what problems can arise from this mistake?

    Thanks

    PS. I just changed the oil and filter, 50 miles before this happened.
     
    ERRKON, Mar 6, 2013
    #1
  2. 750E-II_29Rbloke

    750E-II_29Rbloke Active Member

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    If you try running the bike like this, the bearings will all be destroyed by the thinned oil & potentially the thing could catch fire (though less likely than the 100% bearing carnage).

    Obviously you're changing it again though, so as long as Its not run since should be fine.

    The other thing that can happen in this situation is a hydraulic lock, which is where the fuel sits on top of the piston & this can bend the con rod if you try to start the bike. But I don't think this is as much an issue on air-cooled machines as their cold clearances are larger than on watercooled so less likely to retain a significant amount above the piston.

    But the other thing this points to is the fact that one or more of your float needle valves is leaking (could be ever so slight & make no difference to perceived state of tune) so if you have time, now is when you should be looking at maybe cleaning those carbs.

    Sorry to hear it happened so soon after an oil change, nothing but sod's law that :?
     
    750E-II_29Rbloke, Mar 6, 2013
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  3. rocs82650

    rocs82650 Well-Known Member

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    ERRKON,

    A float or floats is/are not closing and are staying stuck open. Do not try to start it again until you change the oil and fix that float(s) problem. Hope this helps.

    Gary
     
    rocs82650, Mar 6, 2013
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  4. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

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    STOP! DO NOT PASS GO! GO DIRECTLY TO THE NEAREST PARTS SUPPLIER FOR OIL AND FILTER!
    Seriously, do not even try it to see if it will be okay. I had this issue with my bike and the only solution is to fix the carbs or put an in-line shut off as a temporary fix. I drained the oil and let it sit with the filter off and a rag over the fill hole just to let any possible trace of gas evaporate. Then got cheap oil and filter, ran it for a bit, then drained and put another filter and quality oil in. Yes, a bit over kill but the extra few bucks meant peace of mind for me.
     
    Maxim-X, Mar 6, 2013
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  5. ERRKON

    ERRKON Member

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    Thank you all. Your advice is super appreciated.
     
    ERRKON, Mar 7, 2013
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