Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Using oil?

In the past year since my last full service I've had to add oil where it seems I never had to the first 3 years (changed yearly about 4000 miles). The BB was done on my bike 1.5 years ago. After making a couple of 500 mile trips this year, I noticed I had to add about a pint (16 oz.) after each trip. That seemed like a lot to me and I began to worry why it would be burning or using oil. There is no sign of any leakage in my garage.

Earlier in the year I pulled the plugs and the right cylinder looked like it was running richer and it was oilier around the plug base. I cleaned and re-torqued in the plugs, adjusted the right carb in 1/8 turn and re-balanced. The last 500 - 1000 miles the bike has been running the best it ever has. I pulled the plugs today and they looked picture perfect - best I've ever seen them. There was no sign of oil fouling either.

I called my dealer as said my bike is due for it's 4 year service and has a little over 16000 miles on it. I was wondering it we should pull it down to check the valve guides or rings. He said normal oil consumption (according to Triumph) is one liter per thousand miles. That's not much different (actually slightly more) than what I'm noticing, but it seems like a lot after using so little.

I would like to get another opinion. A pint every 500, quart every 1000, A GALLON EVERY 4000! I'm using 15-50 fully synthetic oil recommended by my dealer. I love the way the bike is running, just a little worried about the oil usage. Really would appreciate any insight or help.

have over 60 000 miles and never added oil betwin changes about 6000 miles!!!

same here I have about 20,000 on mine and never had to add any between changes yet. 14,000 on Wendy's bike and same there, none added between changes yet.

Just turned 30,000, no oil usuage between changes. Using the 20-50 synthetic as reccomended.

You were puffing a little smoke at throttle up when I followed you up the mountain after visiting Barber back in March much like a bike running a wee bit rich. Mention that to your dealer; after 14,000 miles I've never had to add any oil between changes.

No Oil adds here. I change the oil on my BA and Bonneville every 4,000 miles. My Daytona 675 uses a little oil (about 8 oz every 1,000 miles).

The only place green bean has leaked oil is the dust seal around the clutch arm. It just occasionally weeps through there, and it's very noticable cause it's oil on chrome. It's also just a drop of oil here or there, and definately not a liter. I also noticed when I removed my airbox (a while back) oil had built up due to the crankcase breather. Well the airbox is gone, and the new filter sits up higher which I think has stopped the oil from getting out.

I'll be replacing that dust seal this weekend due to other issues with valve train which are all my fault for dropping a metal pin down the chain opening. You guys have read it.

Other than that though, she's got 18,000 on her, and she's never leaked enough oil to compensate a top off. Something is wrong with a seal or something on you motor man. Good luck, and I would be a little wary about that dealer you're going to.

Sounds like you may have lost or be losing an oil control ring on the right side. I remember Phil's ride was drinkin oil at the 07 GA rally and I think he found a bad oil control ring on one or both pistons after the teardown. Not trying to be the reaper but it sure sounds like it with the oil on the plug, etc....YMMV.

Thanks for the input. The carb mixture should be fine as it's running great and the plugs were tan and looked good. I've only noticed some smoke at cold start up. I had thought that if it were leaking through a ring or guide, evidence of oil fouling would appear on the plugs. No such evidence the last time I checked.

I have a friend who works on air cooled airplane engines who said if I would bring it by, he would do a compression check on the cylinders. He also suspects a ring or something not right with the BB. He also has a tool that can look into the cylinders to check. He said the plugs might look fine if the leak is heat related.

I think I'll let him take a look at it before getting back with the dealer. He (mechanic friend) is a wiz and has rebuilt his Waco engine a number of times.

It sounds like the same symptoms my bike had before I did my big bore. It would lose oil at about the same rate you describe. Since I bought it with 3400 miles on it, I didn't know if it was broken in properly. I kept adding oil until I did the BB, and it's never been low since.

Sp at least it would seem it isn't an inherant BB problem.

I broke in the BB "according to the book" but many have told me that's not best. I took it easy for 500 miles, then ran it harder from time to time (to redline) before the 1000 mile check and oil change. I hate the fact that it could somehow be my fault. One way or another, I'll get it straightened out and fixed. I love the bike and will spend what it takes to make it right.

Just had to spend $775. on a new boat cover. My boat doesn't bring near the enjoyment my bike does.

My bb is smokin from the left at cold start,I thought it had stopped after a good bashin long hot weekend ride last summer.Had it out this year fer a couple good ones also no smoke,then monday was loading it in my truck to take to work and noticed it could use a little topping up,and did so.Well tuesday morning unloading it,it puffed again.I worry as I only have sixthou miles and warenty is up.

Marty, I figure the only way my bike could be using oil is somehow running it through the cylinders. My right plug was a little oily every time I checked, but the last time it was fine. My mechanic friend says it could be because it leaks oil into the cylinder while cold, but seals tight when hot. The plugs were checked after riding hot for over 100 miles.

I'm worried it may be a ring that leaks while the engine is cold. Hopefully, I'll know more soon. I never added a drop of oil the first 3 years before the BB.

I've never added oil till monday,Ihad it in for a leak down test last year hoping it was a valve seal while under warenty.They told me my left side was weaker but still within spec.I have lots of topend noise but they(At shop) tell me its thoes wild cams.

Marty, do you have the steel sleeves or nikasil?

nikasil

interesting, ramsound has nikasil too.

Checked the compression today. It came up almost exactly 175 for both cylinders. No significant difference between cylinders. Oil has to be getting through the engine somehow. There are no leaks.

Might wanna check it cold and as close to operation temp as ya can.

isn't 175 about stock compression? these should be up near 190 or so with big bore kits

NEWS UPDATE! I have found the problem. It is not likely related in any way to the BB.

The older models have a rotary breather with a hose coming out of the crankcase behind the left cylinder that goes to a fitting behind the right carb. I pulled the hose at that fitting and it was very oily. My service dealer says there has been some trouble with these and the newer engines don't use the rotary breather. The breather and seal may have to be replaced.

I then checked the two plugged drainage hoses that are under the bike. The one from the right side was full of clean oil. The dealer is now holding the parts which they have in stock (breather, gasket, and seal) Just parts and 1 hr. labor to repair along with my 4 year service. Whole lot better than a major engine problem.

The breather/seal problem definitely would explain oil consumption and why my right plug is usually oily at the base even though the bike is running great. This is something you other guys with 05 and earlier bikes should be aware of. If it seems you're having to add oil, check the breather hose and drainage hoses. It may indicate a failed breather or seal.