Forum

[Norm]

Thack, you state that it goes straight from the crankcase to the airbox, just how does it do that?

[Thack]

@Norm - no, as I suspected, I was wrong. I forgot that the breather goes to the catch can first. So I assume you are saying that the return pipe from the catch can is the one that blocks, so that oil accumulates in the catch can, is that correct?

[Norm]

Thack the crank breaths first from the crank case to the top of the oil tank either through a small hole in the top of crank case into the top of the oil tank or via the timing chest and then exits the top of the oil tank going to the catch can. The dip in the breather hose under the upper gearbox support seems to be the culprit for causing emulsion to get trapped in the hollow and then crank pressure builds up causing it to push oil up through the catch can and into the air cleaner, but this is not a result of wet sumping

[Frank]

I forgot about the pipe dip under the frame, it is another weak point. I've still got the catch can but it now drains to the road and I've removed the pipe from the airbox and bunged the hole. Now that the recirculation of this rubbish has been stopped I've not had any problems and the pipes never block or even need cleaning. The main breather pipe still dips under the frame.There is an odd spot of oil that drains from the can but what amazed me more than anything was the initial amount of water vapour that was expelled. After a few miles that stopped.

[Thack]

Thanks, Norm. Can I just ask you about this last bit, which I still haven't understood? You write: "The dip in the breather hose under the upper gearbox support seems to be the culprit for causing emulsion to get trapped in the hollow and then crank pressure builds up causing it to push oil up through the catch can and into the air cleaner..." That's the bit I'm struggling with. If the breather is blocked, how does the oil get past the blockage to the catch can?

[Frank]

Thack, I think you have to get out of your mind that oil gets to the filter only AFTER the pipe is COMPLETELY blocked. It can make its way there all the time but I guess it is more likely when the pipe becomes restricted and it cannot expel fast enough, pressure builds up and it is forced through to the can. By the time it is completely blocked, and even then under pressure some might get forced through, the damage is done. Think restriction or severely restricted if you like rather than blocked.To me finding oil in the box is a sign that the pipes need cleaning not that they are completely solid. Modify the system and you need never worry again or have the expense of ruined filters.

[theWoosh]

I've gotta say that the symptoms do sound similar to what was happening on my 08 Electra X in February - intermittent complete loss of power (and usually all electricals). Finally it went permanantly - much easier to figger out... I checked the switch resistance with my multimeter and it didn't make any difference wthether it was on or off. Bypassed the switch by hot-wiring it and it ran fine. Replaced the switch with a suzuki one...

[Thack]

Thanks for your comments, Frank. You wrote: " It can make its way there all the time but I guess it is more likely when the pipe becomes restricted and it cannot expel fast enough, pressure builds up and it is forced through to the can. By the time it is completely blocked, and even then under pressure some might get forced through, the damage is done. Think restriction or severely restricted if you like rather than blocked." The reality is that I just can't visualise the mechanism by which the partially blocked breather forces oil into the separator, probably because I no longer have an Electra X in front of me to examine! Anyway, I'm going to pore over the exploded diagrams on this site and see if I can draw myself a diagram of the entire breather system. Thanks again.

[Blue]

TheWhoosh - Tks for adding another electrical component to check

[Alan R]

Electra X --------- re-arrange those letters and you get}---- sell the bike !!