Air box FULL of oil

[Batmobile]

On the way back from our meet and eat ride yesterday, I stopped off a few miles from home at a potential new spyder rider's house that my dealer called me about. He was wanting to hear a Hindle so he would know if he wanted one. After a short visit I headed home, as I accelerated from a stop light I heard a ppfff sound and a small puff of white smoke came out from the vents on each side of the cluster. I pulled over and stopped and looked for anything leaking. The only evidence I could see of anything was what looked like there was a little drip of oil on the plastic on the right side like when there is a little oil in the air box. I thought well a drip could have hit the pipe and made the smoke since I couldn't see anything else.

I got back on and rode the couple of miles home and when I got a half a mile from my house the engine started sputtering a little like when I had the download problem. I got it home and parked it.

This morning I went out to inspect and no liquids on the ground under spyder. I took off the plastic on the right side and thats when I could see that oil was all over the front of the air box and down onto the top of the radiator. It looks like it was coming out where the air box lid snaps together by the filter. When I undid the snaps and lifted the lid a little, oil oozed out some. I put it back together and started it for 30sec to check the oil. I know the engine wasn't fully warm but I was afraid to run it very long, even though it sounded normal. I couldn't see any measurable oil on the dip stick. The coolant level looked normal.

I am not a mechanic and these are just my observations. What do you think could cause all of the oil to go into the air box. A head gasket? My dealer is closed until Tuesday and I will call them to come and pick it up. I thought maybe some of you could give me some input.

Thanks

 

[Lamonster]

This is a common problem with the Spyder and there are several ways to go about fixing it. The sure way is to remove the crankcase breather from the air box and run it to a catch can.

 

[ataDude]

This is a common problem with the Spyder and there are several ways to go about fixing it. The sure way is to remove the crankcase breather from the air box and run it to a catch can.

:agree: mostly. Based on my own experiences (and, of course, opinions):

I think what we've seen so far is that overfilling the oil reservoir is the primary culprit to a lot of excess oil in the airbox. Riding at WOT also will cause excess. However, a little blow-by oil is expected and normal.

A lot... nope.
.

 

[Batmobile]

Thanks for the responses. When I checked the oil that morning it was just below the full mark. Now it doesn't show oil at all. That's why I was afraid it was something major.

 

[NancysToy]

Thanks for the responses. When I checked the oil that morning it was just below the full mark. Now it doesn't show oil at all. That's why I was afraid it was something major.

Be sure to check the oil the same way every time, preferably after a ride. The engine needs to be at full operating temperature, not just on the temp guage. You can't readily warm it in the garage to do this. Pull the access panel, start and run the engine for at least 30 seconds to evacuate the sump, then shut it off and check with the dipstick screwed all the way in. If you have oil on the stick you are ok. Above the max mark is bad, as far as oil in the airbox goes. No more than halfway is best.

 

[Batmobile]

I will let it warm up longer tomorrow and check it again per the book. I was a little nervous letting it run too long with as much oil was all over the outside of the right side of the air box, the engine, and thrown on the radiator. Whats good for cleaning oil out of the radiator?

 

[ataDude]

...Whats good for cleaning oil out of the radiator?

Dawn... really.

.

 

[Batmobile]

Dawn... really.

.

Thanks

 

[BRPjunkie]

Be sure to check the oil the same way every time, preferably after a ride. The engine needs to be at full operating temperature, not just on the temp guage. You can't readily warm it in the garage to do this. Pull the access panel, start and run the engine for at least 30 seconds to evacuate the sump, then shut it off and check with the dipstick screwed all the way in. If you have oil on the stick you are ok. Above the max mark is bad, as far as oil in the airbox goes. No more than halfway is best.

When at the dealer last week for 6,000 mile service, tech told me that using full 4 quarts will fill the tank, but may cause blow by to air box. He suggests using a little less than 4 quarts and keeping level in mid range of dipstick.