Oil return time

Hello All,

When putting fluids back into my '74 850, I got 3 quarts of oil (capacity from workshop manual). I unhooked the oil lines and pumped as much oil as I could into each line (going away from the tank). Once that was done and all lines hooked back up, I dumped what I had left of the three quarts into the oil tank. As expected, the oil level was at the high end mark on the dip stick. The bike sat for a week before I started it. I ran it a little over idle (approx 2000) but did not see oil returning to the tank. Within the next two days I started it 3 or 4 more times and saw very little oil coming back to the tank (a little spurt once or twice) so I didn't let it run for more than a minute or two. I did notice that the level in the tank has gone down to the middle of the dipstick range. No leaks anywhere.

I can't get back to it again for two weeks. By then it should wet sump enough that when I start it I will see if I'm getting the oil back to the tank. My question is, how long after I start the bike will it take for me to see oil coming back to the tank.

I would assume that if the oil level in the tank went down, the oil was being circulated, and I realize there probably wasn't anything in the sump to pump back to the tank, but I just want to make sure.

Thanks,
Ben

Shouldn't take but a few seconds. had this problem once, lines were reversed at the junction block.

official-oil-line-routing-thread-t6132.html

Oil return, from what I've seen, should be vigorous.

When I was getting mine started I had to kick it over several times with the valve covers off to make sure the oil pump was picking up oil and sending to head. May want to check yours this way to make sure the oil pump is working!

warpedscout said:

When I was getting mine started I had to kick it over several times with the valve covers off to make sure the oil pump was picking up oil and sending to head. May want to check yours this way to make sure the oil pump is working!

Click to expand...

Pull the spark plugs too. Makes it easier to kick.

Hi

I find that Nortons like some oil in the cases to start with. It seems to take a while to "fill" the oil filter. I tend to check that the rockers are getting some oil, then I know it will get to the tank soon.
Dont panic but do check your oil lines.
Chris

I took video of '72 Trixie 1st start this Sunday - after filling crank till oil came out drain plug, then put oil in rockers on top the assemblly lube - started and help rpms rather over 2000 rpm d/t cam break in concerns, to wait 40 sec for Combat breather to jet oil foam into tank. Still not sure if normal oil return route is
flowing. My concern is that the past crap from rod bolt let go is still trapped
in the internal Combat case sump channel to pump. Oh I blew it out and wire run in and out best I could but blow up happened when engine normal hot and maybe on cool down clamped down on particles which with new vibes and some heat piled up to block return, ugh. Big oil puddle verified plenty oil getting to head but don't know if going back to tank the expected way yet. Was too dark in shed and did not reach cam run in yet to let idle long enough to look in well.

I change my oil and filter every 1000 miles...some may think this is excessive, but it's been a routine I've followed for 33 years. With a new filter on and 3 quarts in the oil tank it takes my system between 55 to 60 seconds to show a return in the tank. The return is a very strong steady stream.

I know I had the lines on correctly when I installed them, but I very well could have mixed them up at the junction block when I pulled them to pump oil in. I'll have to wait and see, I don't think I have any pictures that are detailed enough to tell.

Thanks again guys,

Ben

Brly said:

I know I had the lines on correctly when I installed them, but I very well could have mixed them up at the junction block when I pulled them to pump oil in. I'll have to wait and see, I don't think I have any pictures that are detailed enough to tell.

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Did you remove the return pipes from the spin-on filter unit for any reason?

If the pipes are connected to the filter housing the wrong way around, and the filter has an anti-drainback valve-then the return oil would not pass through the filter?


http://www.oldbritts.com/oillines.html

Brly said:

I know I had the lines on correctly when I installed them, but I very well could have mixed them up at the junction block when I pulled them to pump oil in. I'll have to wait and see, I don't think I have any pictures that are detailed enough to tell.

Thanks again guys,

Ben

Click to expand...

I posted a link above to a great thread (and because it was my thread you can be assured there were a LOT of pictures), be sure to check it out.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74L5CIU9ol0[/video]

Here's what mine looks like at idle. Nice steady flow.

L.A.B. - I put all new oil lines on, so yes I did remove them from the filter housing, but once the new lines were on, I took them off at the junction block to pump oil into the lines and the filter. The only place I could have mixed them up was at the junction block. The diagram in the shop manual really has everything needed, I may have just made a clumsy mistake. Thanks!

Swoosh - I checked out your line routing thread yesterday and it is defintely helpful, as is the video of the return. I think I was expecting more volume of oil to be returning. At least now I have some form of reference.

"Only" another week and a half......

Got some new seat foam from the local upholstery guy yesterday and a new seat cover is on the way from Old Britts. Also decided to take the MSF course to learn what I could and get a discount on insurance. Did our first riding class yesterday, definitely fun and informative.

Sorry for the "my life" update, being away from the Norton for 2 weeks when its ready to ride is proving to be difficult. Cannot wait to go for a ride!

Thanks,
Ben

The sputtering may be from your breather line which is on the right in the picture. The oil return just oozes out of the vertical pipe and runs down it. It doesn't really spurt out much at idle.