Electra X - Wet Sumping / Using Oil / Plug Fouling

[kwskodaman]

UK Bullet 500cc Electra X with problems . . .
2008 model - only done 1850 miles (2960km)
Here's the scenario - getting up to 3/4 litre of oil in the sump after only a short run - smoking exhaust ends up with fouling the plug quickly (I have been recovered back home once with this problem - doh).

Took timing cover off today - oil pump skew gear teeth look slightly worn but otherwise ok. Next step is to lift cylinder head and barrel - possible broken rings/holed piston???

Anybody out there had the same symptoms??

Cheers

[ace.cafe]

The most likely answer is that the wet-sumping is normal.
The AVL has no seal around the crank at the timing cover, and drains the timing cover into the sump when the bike is stopped. Also, the gear-type oil pumps also allow drain back from the return line into the sump, because the gear-type pumps have no seal to prevent drain back.

The engine is intended to clear the sump with its strong scavenging from the gear type pumps.

However if it is fouling your plug, it might not be a bad idea to check the rings to see if you have a broken one, or something.

But, before doing that, it would be advisable to check/clear all the hoses involved in the engine breather circuit, because a clogged breather will cause high crankcase pressure, possibly un-seating the rings, and allowing oil to pass by the rings.

[kwskodaman]

Good advice - thanks
I will check the breather hoses before I get the spanners out!
I understand what you are saying about the gear type pumps - a bit concerned about that if it is a "feature" of this engine. Don't fancy having to drain the the sump each time I stop!!
Cheers

[Ice]

Always park the engine whith the piston at TDC.
 This puts the crank pin above the level of oil in the resevoir and thus prevents wet sumping.

[kwskodaman]

Oil breather had a lot of "mayo" in it but not blocked, so off came the head. All looked fine, barrel not scored - could still see the original honing - so stopped at that point - piston rings are bound to be alright . . .
Then off came the timing cover. Oil pump worm drive shaft was badly worn, so it was off to Hitchcocks ( the UK RE specialist - what they don't know about enfields is not worth knowing - see http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/home).
They reckoned the damage was from not warming the bike up steadily before riding off - at start up, especially if the oil is cold, the pressure can be very high.
My bike has the "Highway" kit fitted - large Dellorto carb, K&N filter and short silencer - so it is essentially not a lean burn engine anymore. They recommended going from the Standard NGK B9ES to a B7ES plug which should help with the fouling problem.
As for the wet sumping, as you say, park it at TDC, and be aware of the problem. Otherwise, they could see no reason for the problems I have been having.
Re-assembly starts soon - I will ensure only 2 litres of oil goes in and see what happens - watch this space!!