Oil on plug?

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Johnnymac

Johnnymac

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I went out today to ride my Commando. She is usually a first or second kick bike. It has been sitting for about a week since I last rode. (She was difficult to start then too). Well I kicked and kicked and got one pop...but that was it. I rolled it back into the garage and pulled the right plug first, it was covered in motor oil.... What does this mean? I assume that it might have something to do with wet sumping?
 
Check the sump level. Highly recommend some way to alleviate any possible wet sump issue. Imagine the crank churning up a few quarts of oil on start-up! Oil on plugs may be the from the valves themselves. Guides can leak oil down from the head. Condition of head? Compression? Check compression and pull head would be my recommendation.
Mike :D
 
Only way oil can get to plug is via valve guide on intake side when running or seeping down exhaust guides sitting, bad rings not removing oil off bores or gasket leak in oil drain paths down rear barrel hole or push rod tunnels. Wet sump should not be a factor on oiled plug just oil out seams till pumped back to tank.
 
The plug was wet with motor oil? I would wonder if the tank got overfilled, thus dumping oil into the aircleaner and sucking it into the chambers. I have done this, but it was obvious due to oil leaking out the bottom of the air cleaner. Otherwise I would be more inclined to think that oil was coming down a valve stem. If there is enough oil coming past the rings so that it makes the chamber wet with it, you are due for a tear down I think. When you pull the plug and shine a light into the cylinder can you see that it is wet with oil? Head gasket blown out at a pushrod tunnel?

I guess, you could try draining the sump, putting in fresh plugs and see if it does it again.

Russ
 
Thanks for the replies guys... I have no idea how to do any of the work that you guys have mentioned. Looks like I'm going to have to take her to the shop. I'm not looking forward to seeing how much this costs to fix. Any idea how much this would cost on average to fix?

You know what this could be... the right rocker cover bolts came loose last week covering everything in oil... the entire right side of the bike was covered in oil. I'm thinking that Oil may have pooled around the plug and when I pulled it made it look like the plug had oil on it. The oil was all over the threads and not the tip of the plug. I'm going to clean up the plugs, charge the battery and test again later today.
 
Johnnymac said:
Thanks for the replies guys... I have no idea how to do any of the work that you guys have mentioned. Looks like I'm going to have to take her to the shop. I'm not looking forward to seeing how much this costs to fix.
Click to expand...


Just to see, drain the oil from the sump and measure its volume. 5 to 7 Oz's is somewhat normal from drain down ofter a run. I have seen 2 quarts before.

I have often thought of implementing and drain like the one on the bottom of radiators.
 
Get yourself a workshop manual or download one from the tech section here. This link will take you to one that will allow you to save it to your computer:

http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Repai ... mmando.pdf

Draining the sump should be part of an oil change. It is not challenging. Make sure if you top up the oil tank that the sump is drained or the bike has been run to scavenge excess oil. Put in some new plugs and see if you still have a problem before taking it to a shop.

Russ
 
Crisis averted. :-) Looks like there was just a bunch of oil pooling around the plug recess from when my rocker cover leaked last weekend. Whew.. I thought that i wiped it all up but I guess I missed a couple places. Should be interesting starting it up now that oil has dripped down in there from when I pulled the plug .

Oil on plug?
 
May well be a combination of a couple of things including the leakage from your rocker cover. A large degree of wet sump will definitely affect starting, but after one week? Are you sure you didn't have gas on the plugs which caused fouling? Might have flooded the engine. Usually when I screw up starting all I have to do is shut off the ignition and gas and open the throttle wide and kick it through once or twice. Will start right up than.
 
JimR said:
May well be a combination of a couple of things including the leakage from your rocker cover. A large degree of wet sump will definitely affect starting, but after one week? Are you sure you didn't have gas on the plugs which caused fouling? Might have flooded the engine. Usually when I screw up starting all I have to do is shut off the ignition and gas and open the throttle wide and kick it through once or twice. Will start right up than.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think that the bike was flooded too. I have never tried what you suggested... turning off the fuel and WOT kick. I have the JS motorsports Carbs and they seem to flood really easily... or it might just be me.

What is the best way to start when it's flooded? Usually I only need to kick once or twice to get it started... but the last week it's been difficult. I think that charging the battery will help too. It hasn't been on the charger in several months. I wish I didn't have to disconnect the battery to charge it. If I leave it connected it won't charge.

When it wouldn't start I parked it, then tried to ride my Bonneville... it was dead too. I guess no riding for me today. :(
 
Flooded plugs > try kicking WOT till pooped out or starts or pull plugs to dry off and vent the vapors off bore walls then try w/o any throttle opening or tickle then WOT a few goes then just a crack of throttle. If not luck pull plugs again and repeat with just crack of throttle, then no throttle then WOT throttle and if fires expect to give a bit of throttle blip to draw fuel up yet not so much to bog out.
 
I don't mean to disrespect those who surely know a lot more then I but this stuff about tearing the head off etc etc etc just cuz it didn't start easy twice is insane. I know nothing about your type of carbs butif they're not pumper type I'de 1st try holding the throttle wide open, kick it 5 times, if no start then!!!! Drain the sump, check that it didn't dump into your primary by opening the little level plug, ( the very small flat head driver type ) clean the spark plugs just for fun. Then start the little pup & get on with a good ride. I turn my gas OFF after every stop so flooding isn't a prob. Low battery is a no no no with Brit stuff. Get a real good battery & higher out put alternater & modern regulator. like but not limited to the Sparx units. My bike ALLWAYS starts 1st kick but once in a while I screw things up & it won't. I turn everything off & go have a drink of water. Come back, turn it all on & bam off I go. Hope you are all well.
 
I think they were suggesting a tear down if oil was making it's way into the combustion chamber... which it isn't... thankfully. It was just oil that leaked everywhere from the loose rocker cover.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I really appreciate it!
 
I'm real good at flooding since there are rare times when I go brain dead and tickle the carbs when the bike is hot. Certainly a good way to flood. WOT has worked reliably. Of course, cleaning plugs works very well. Road a two-stroke for a number of years and always carried a wire brush with me.
 
Hehe, for most the time I've ridden with Wes and his '71 he carried a plug change and cleaning kit in his jacket d/t oil and fuel fouling so at each stop he'd service his plugs while still in the saddle. Last couple years after a rebuild and miki carb he's been able to break the habit.
 
Sounds like you maybe have it sorted I would just echo the sentiment of someone above for future events to not necessarily push the panic button too quickly for taking it to the shop. Post your problems on here, mull it over, look for other lines of supporting evidence like low or asymmetric compression before doing something drastic. If you enjoy working on your bike then get a few simple diagnostic tools if you don't already, like a compression gauge and multimeter when the needs arise.

I see you are in St. Louis. Is that GoldStar over your right shoulder at Donnelson's?
 
Brendan S said:
I see you are in St. Louis. Is that GoldStar over your right shoulder at Donnelson's?
Click to expand...

That picture was from the Ace Cafe near London. I love Donelson's though. They have a really cool vintage bike museum on site. Great stuff.
 
I still have a Norton tshirt that I got from Donnelson's. I lived in Affton for a few years but never had a running britbike there.
 
I wonder if at times some of these posts just ressurrect gremlins. Maybe I shouldn't read or reply. Replaced a clutch cable this weekend and took the opportunity to check and adjust the valves. Put on new (year old neoprene never used) and now I have a leak from right side exhaust other two no leaks. Took a while to notice too because I ride a lot in the dark. Oil over everything including me. Looks like I may have overtightened or something since it looked extruded. I should take my own advice and not fix what isn't broke.
 
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