Triumphrat

dans73bonnevill

I am new to english bikes had a norton cammando 750 traded for triumph bonneville 750. Ran bonny for 30 min ride and found oil leaking under it in the morning.....
Checked oil filter screen for clogging but found screen clean.
checked for leaks befor ride found none.
Any help appreciated

Dan

dans73bonnevill

I am new to british bikes heres my problem....? Took 20 min ride on bike. Came out next morning found oil under bike. Checked for leaks found none. Checked oil filter screen no debris or clogging on it. Refilled oil in frame to 4 pints ( 20/50 ) as per manual. Started bike and let it warm up while waiting checked for leaks. Found oil leaking from around the head bolts (outer boults). Bike is in mint shape except for the oil leaking.
Also would like to find a triumph repair shop in the brockport/rochester ny area.
Any help is greatly appreciated......:Ire landFlag

RetroRod

Hi Dan.

Wetsumping: I presume you say it's wet sumping because it's blowing white smoke everywhere on startup, but clears? If this is so, then the oil pump return side has a ball that acts as a non-return valve, keeping oil in the tank, after it returns from the sump. This ball will probably have some debris under it, allowing oil to drain from the oil tank back into the sump when the motor is stationary. A clean out and check of the oil pump will be necessary.

Oil Leak: The bike is not in mint shape if you have oil coming out of the head bolts. Like all oil leaks, oil goes everywhere and it is very hard to determine the source after a ride. You'll need to clean it up and get a visual on just where it's coming from. Black oil will be from the engine/primary case, clear oil will be from the gearbox. Just be careful about filling the tank, as if it is wet sumping, when the engine starts, additional oil will be returned from the full sump and may overflow the tank. Personally I'm not sure the engine is wet sumping at all.

A local rider may point you toward a reliable repairer, but be warned, check their credentials very carefully. RR

Webby

Hi Dan, welcome to the forum,
We will need a little more info, where is the oil leaking from?
You have said in the title that you think it is wet sumping, you can check this by looking at your oil level in the tank, if the level appears to be a lot lower, it's possible that the oil is in the sump and you need to clean out your pump.

I hope this helps

Webby

Caulky

An easy check for wet-sumping is to run the engine, then drain the sump.
If more than about 100 cc-ish drains out, it means the scavenge is not working efficiently. Check the oil-tank (frame) return.
Plugs out, ignition off, kick over...oil should be spurting/dribbling from the pipe.
If it seems weak, follow Webby`s advice. Oil pump clean/check.
Does it smoke?

*Note: an oil leak does not mean its wet-sumping.
A drip now and then is normal

dans73bonnevill

The oil is black and you can see small drip of oil coming the outer two head bolts from both sides. I too believe that the oil pump might need maintenance.
Dan

dans73bonnevill

The oil is leaking from around the outer head bolts on both sides.
on start up after refilling oil to four pints and screen on oil filter clean i am looking toward oil pump repair. the oil is black in color that is leaking from the bike. initial start up no smoke from engine. After sitting for a while there is some white smoke from the exhaust.
left cylinder more than right cylinder.
Dan

Plewsy

Hi dans73bonnevill and welcome to TR
You have two posts going? and a missing 10minutes
you may have been beamed up and them pesky aliens have messed with your pushrod seals
But seriously
I'm with RetroRod and don't think you are wet sumping
as if it where, oil would be blowing! out of every orifice and the smoke is unbelievable
you say the leak is black oil from around the head bolts, this in my book would point to the push rod seals.

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Muzz Bird98

Dans, Looked after a bonnie for many years. You say your new to these bikes To own one you need to make a choice. Get a good mechanic and spend dollars or learn the art of zen and motorcycle maintenance.
For the latter you need a good manual and tools, especially a torque wrench to suit the specs for your bike. 5 ft lbs to 80.
Oil leaking from the head bolts could mean your head gasget is leaking or you could try re torquing the head.The black oil could mean your running rich or your rings are worn, there can be a few explanations.( still should not be leaking, that to me would say strip the motor and rebuild, what colour are the plugs ?)
Yes wet sumping can be a bit of grit in the oil pump as the scavange side of the pump should pump the oil out faster than than it is delivered to the motor. Its a problem when the oil in the sump is not pumping out fast enough and you start smoking.
When you drop the base of the oil in frame to change the oil , it is very easy to get a speck of road grit in the oil pipe if you disconnect it. Has to be very clean if you remove the lines.
There is so much but these bikes are very forgiving , just need to get to know the mechanics of them throughout.
The oil seals on the pushrod tubes can be tricky also if you remove the head for a look.
Find a good trumpy mechanic and give it a good once over.
Maybe simple fixes then ride and ride while you contemplate a rebuild as that will come.

cheers
Murray

RetroRod

I'd encourage you along these lines also. The old darlings are full of surprises and you are better off being able to look after her yourself. It is very satisfying to look at her knowing there is nothing she can throw up at you that you cannot fix. Just ask old Plewsy.

It's not always going to be easy for the leaner and there will be some mistakes. Slow and steady is the go and USE this forum. Plenty of photos so some of the gurus here can actually see what is going on. Like plewsy, make a small video and place in on utube to be looked at. As I have said before, good money will not always buy you a good repair. The best repairs are done at home, believe me!! RR