Triumphrat

jc_wagner · 09-13-2009, 01:27 PM

ive had my 72 tiger for just a short time now. i have changed the engine and gear oil since the po said it had been sitting for 3 years. it was running when i bought it, albeit with some smoking issues. i did notice however, that the plates on the bike were from 2001, so i dont know if he was underestimating how long it has been sitting or if he was riding around with expired tags.. oh well!

anyways, back to my question, when i changed my oil, i noticed that it smelled like it had some gasoline in it.. it did not look any different, but it definately had the smell. i have only ridden it around maybe a dozen or so miles... just through the neighborhood (since i dont have it registered yet either)... ive smelled it since the change and it still has a slight gassy odor.. have i done any real damage riding it around like this? what are the likely causes for gas contamination in the oil? what steps do i take to fix it?

thanks

rambo · 09-13-2009, 01:56 PM

if it smokes and has a petrol smell in the oil,you have piston ring wear.or,it may be that it is running very rich mixture.compression test would tell you more

GrandPaulZ · 09-13-2009, 02:23 PM

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!!

You'd better be darned sure you are not leaking past the carb floats, as you will destroy your engine if the bearings are being washed by oil that is "cut" with gas.

jc_wagner · 09-13-2009, 02:46 PM

so, how do i know if that is the case, rebuild the carbs? i planned on that for the winter, but i was hoping i could wait till then.

i know it needs new rings (again, winter project), is it probable that is where the trouble is... and if so will that still ruin the bearings... in other words, is it only bad if its getting past the float in the carbs?

what steps should i be taking to fix? im a newbie here, so you are welcome to treat me as such

thanks

thirdbike · 09-13-2009, 04:05 PM

Did you drain out all the oil from both the oil tank and the sump while the oil was warm and let it drip all out?

A really noticeable gas smell in the oil after only "a dozen miles or so" on fresh oil indicates that the rings are in really, really bad shape. As you do not describe noticeable smoking from the exhaust, I am suspecting that either you didn't get all the gas out the first time or your carb floats are still leaking

The first thing I would do is to take a compression test. If the compression is low put in some oil (a good tablespoon) in the spark plug holes, kick it over a few times to distribute the oil and then try the compression again. If the compression bounces up you know you need a ring job.

Just another suggestion for the future. Always, and I mean always turn off your fuel taps when the engine is not running. it is something to get used to like turning on the key. This will prevent excess gas from seeping into the cylinders in the case of stuck or leaking float needles. Oh, and make sure and test the taps too.

Webby · 09-13-2009, 06:19 PM

Also something to bear in mind,

Fuel in the oil will damage the rubber/plastic coating on the alternator stator, it causes it to swell, the only real fix is a new stator.

Webby

jc_wagner · 09-13-2009, 10:47 PM

thirdbike... unfortunately, no, i did not drain the oil from the sump because i could not get the drain plug to turn (i dont have whitworth wrenches or sockets, and apparently neither did the po b/c the corners are rounded off and i could not get a socket to hold on... i even tried a 6 sided socket but to no avail)...

also, there is some smoking from the exhaust, esp. on startup, but its really not too bad after it warms up, as long as the bike is upright. if running on the sidestand, it will start to smoke. also, it puffs a little if i goose the throttle a bit.

i wish i had a compression testor... but i dont. i will try and borrow one this week and check the compression.

i will have to form the habit of turning my fuel taps when i shut down, i HAVE left them open before!

:

also, any suggestions on stopping/minimizing the damage to bearings, plastic/rubber stator parts, etc. any special products i can run through the system to revitalize those parts.

it looks like a may have to go ahead and start some tasks i was hoping to put off till the weather got cold, ie. checking/cleaning the carbs. im sure its covered in other posts, but any advice on servicing/rebuilding the square body mkII carbs.

thanks

shrugger · 09-14-2009, 12:16 AM

Heat the case around the sump plug.
I had the same problem. I finally whiped out my metric sockets.
I forget, the 22 or 23 fit pretty snug with my big azz breaker.
Thought I'd broke something when it let out a big snap and finally
came loose. I also had to lay the bike over in the grass for some
leverage

68TR6R · 09-14-2009, 02:23 PM

Check the needle and seat, as they may be leaking, and maybe replace them for good course. Them, adjust the float height. Never leave the bike for periods of time stopped with the petcocks open. I hate it when I accidentally do over night. Sounds to me like you need to buy and new sump plug, and get out the VISE GRIPS!

with heat (from heat gun, do not use a torch)

shrugger · 09-14-2009, 03:00 PM

Hard to say how many oil changes the copper washer has suffered
through. I doubt its ever been replaced or anealed(SP?)
Have a look at Plewsey's oil change vid. Not at all difficult.