Oil leaking out of airbox bike wont run properly

peeweecollins · July 9th, 2011, 09:18 AM

I did a search before I decided to post i'm a fairly new rider this morning I decided to take the bike for an extended highway run of about 60 miles round trip the bike ran perfectly there average speed 70-80 mph on the way back the bike ran good till I hit the exit ramp where it just died so I pulled over to check it out and I could see oil dripping out of the left side by the coolant tank I wiped it off and discovered it was coming from the airbox somewhere,
after I let it sit for a while it finally started but it wouldn't idle and I could see blue smoke coming out when I reved it, the bike is an 06 250 with only 7k on it so I figured the rings couldnt be shot plus I had no problems with the bike prior to that, it runs then it dies again I have to let it sit for minute before it cranks again sorry for the long post but any advise would sure be aprciated before I take it to the shop when it could just be a simple fix thx.

darrell85 · July 9th, 2011, 04:05 PM

how much oil are we talkin about? a few drops or pouring? have you added or changed the oil recently? you probably just have too much oil in the crank case and the excess is blowing up the crankcaes breather tube into the airbox and then both leeking out and being sucked into the carbs. clean the airbox, filter, and read the faq on how to add the proper amount of oil. been there and done that!!!!!!!!!!! good luck

peeweecollins · July 9th, 2011, 08:09 PM

once the bike was running it was more like a constant drip the bike has a hard time cranking and once it starts if you let go of the throttle it dies

kkim · July 9th, 2011, 08:11 PM

how much oil are you showing in the sight glass on the engine crankcase?

peeweecollins · July 9th, 2011, 08:17 PM

when the bike is standig straight i have to lean it more to the right to see any oil

kkim · July 9th, 2011, 08:19 PM

oil level should be read in the sight glass when the bike is perfectly vertical and on a flat surface. Is that how you are reading the oil level?

peeweecollins · July 9th, 2011, 08:24 PM

yea when i was checking the sight glass i had the bike on the center stand

kkim · July 9th, 2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peeweecollins

yea when i was checking the sight glass i had the bike on the center stand

don't use the center stand to get an accurate reading.

DaBlue1 · July 9th, 2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peeweecollins

yea when i was checking the sight glass i had the bike on the center stand

The bike must be off the center stand and on two wheels. Checking the oil while the bike is on the center stand will screw up your oil reading.

peeweecollins · July 9th, 2011, 08:34 PM

oh ok didn't know that but when I leaned over to the right I did see oil I guess it was verticle then couldn't tell because I was kneeling down at the time looking at the site glass but the oil level was lower than normal tried to crank the bike a few minutes ago it will start but won't idle not even with the choke cant get any rpms neither

kkim · July 9th, 2011, 08:43 PM

so, what is your oil level reading in the sight glass with the bike vertical and on a flat surface?

peeweecollins · July 9th, 2011, 08:50 PM

when the bike is standing straight up you can barely see it below the bottom knotch on the sight glass

kkim · July 9th, 2011, 08:53 PM

seems like your bike is low on oil. try adding some so it's at the top line in the sight glass.

regardless, that shouldn't be the cause of your problem. has the bike been dropped, on it's side, crashed or similar recently?

peeweecollins · July 9th, 2011, 09:02 PM

it fell over this past wensday while running but nothing serious it ran fine after that untill this morning

kkim · July 9th, 2011, 09:06 PM

when it fell over, it is possible that oil spilled from the crankcase vent into the airbox. They are connected via a hose.

I would recommend you remove your air filter and check to see if it's saturated w/ oil. also, clean out your airbox if there is oil on the bottom.

if the bike still won't start/run cleanly after that, remove your plugs and check them you could have fouled one of them by having too much oil leak thorough your carbs.

peeweecollins · July 9th, 2011, 09:12 PM

Thanks man I will do that first thing in the morning I might as well change the oil and filter while i'm at it and again thanks for the advice.

kkim · July 9th, 2011, 09:14 PM

let us know what you find.

how many miles on the oil and filter now? what oil are you using?

peeweecollins · July 9th, 2011, 09:29 PM

I bought the bike second hand it has 7k miles on it i'm assuming the previous owner had it last changed at 5k I don't know for sure and by the book it says it shouldn't be changed again till 10k then again the bike is 6 yrs old

kkim · July 9th, 2011, 10:05 PM

oil should be changed yearly, regardless if it made the mileage interval. I'd recommend changing it if you have no maintenance records. Rotella synthetic, 5W-40 is great oil to use.

July 9th, 2011, 09:18 AM	#1
peeweecollins ninjette.org member Name: Ervin Location: franklin la Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 ninja 250 Posts: 22	Oil leaking out of airbox bike wont run properly I did a search before I decided to post i'm a fairly new rider this morning I decided to take the bike for an extended highway run of about 60 miles round trip the bike ran perfectly there average speed 70-80 mph on the way back the bike ran good till I hit the exit ramp where it just died so I pulled over to check it out and I could see oil dripping out of the left side by the coolant tank I wiped it off and discovered it was coming from the airbox somewhere, after I let it sit for a while it finally started but it wouldn't idle and I could see blue smoke coming out when I reved it, the bike is an 06 250 with only 7k on it so I figured the rings couldnt be shot plus I had no problems with the bike prior to that, it runs then it dies again I have to let it sit for minute before it cranks again sorry for the long post but any advise would sure be aprciated before I take it to the shop when it could just be a simple fix thx.

July 9th, 2011, 04:05 PM	#2
darrell85 darrell85 Name: darrell Location: vandalia Mo. Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2001 250 ninja Posts: 91	how much oil are we talkin about? a few drops or pouring? have you added or changed the oil recently? you probably just have too much oil in the crank case and the excess is blowing up the crankcaes breather tube into the airbox and then both leeking out and being sucked into the carbs. clean the airbox, filter, and read the faq on how to add the proper amount of oil. been there and done that!!!!!!!!!!! good luck Last futzed with by darrell85; July 9th, 2011 at 04:10 PM. Reason: added more text

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July 9th, 2011, 08:09 PM	#3
peeweecollins ninjette.org member Name: Ervin Location: franklin la Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 ninja 250 Posts: 22	once the bike was running it was more like a constant drip the bike has a hard time cranking and once it starts if you let go of the throttle it dies

July 9th, 2011, 08:11 PM	#4
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	how much oil are you showing in the sight glass on the engine crankcase?

July 9th, 2011, 08:17 PM	#5
peeweecollins ninjette.org member Name: Ervin Location: franklin la Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 ninja 250 Posts: 22	when the bike is standig straight i have to lean it more to the right to see any oil

July 9th, 2011, 08:19 PM	#6
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	oil level should be read in the sight glass when the bike is perfectly vertical and on a flat surface. Is that how you are reading the oil level?

July 9th, 2011, 08:24 PM	#7
peeweecollins ninjette.org member Name: Ervin Location: franklin la Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 ninja 250 Posts: 22	yea when i was checking the sight glass i had the bike on the center stand

July 9th, 2011, 08:34 PM	#10
peeweecollins ninjette.org member Name: Ervin Location: franklin la Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 ninja 250 Posts: 22	oh ok didn't know that but when I leaned over to the right I did see oil I guess it was verticle then couldn't tell because I was kneeling down at the time looking at the site glass but the oil level was lower than normal tried to crank the bike a few minutes ago it will start but won't idle not even with the choke cant get any rpms neither

July 9th, 2011, 08:43 PM	#11
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	so, what is your oil level reading in the sight glass with the bike vertical and on a flat surface?

July 9th, 2011, 08:50 PM	#12
peeweecollins ninjette.org member Name: Ervin Location: franklin la Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 ninja 250 Posts: 22	when the bike is standing straight up you can barely see it below the bottom knotch on the sight glass

July 9th, 2011, 08:53 PM	#13
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	seems like your bike is low on oil. try adding some so it's at the top line in the sight glass. regardless, that shouldn't be the cause of your problem. has the bike been dropped, on it's side, crashed or similar recently?

July 9th, 2011, 09:02 PM	#14
peeweecollins ninjette.org member Name: Ervin Location: franklin la Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 ninja 250 Posts: 22	it fell over this past wensday while running but nothing serious it ran fine after that untill this morning

July 9th, 2011, 09:06 PM	#15
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	when it fell over, it is possible that oil spilled from the crankcase vent into the airbox. They are connected via a hose. I would recommend you remove your air filter and check to see if it's saturated w/ oil. also, clean out your airbox if there is oil on the bottom. if the bike still won't start/run cleanly after that, remove your plugs and check them you could have fouled one of them by having too much oil leak thorough your carbs.

July 9th, 2011, 09:12 PM	#16
peeweecollins ninjette.org member Name: Ervin Location: franklin la Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 ninja 250 Posts: 22	Thanks man I will do that first thing in the morning I might as well change the oil and filter while i'm at it and again thanks for the advice.

July 9th, 2011, 09:14 PM	#17
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	let us know what you find. how many miles on the oil and filter now? what oil are you using?

July 9th, 2011, 09:29 PM	#18
peeweecollins ninjette.org member Name: Ervin Location: franklin la Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 ninja 250 Posts: 22	I bought the bike second hand it has 7k miles on it i'm assuming the previous owner had it last changed at 5k I don't know for sure and by the book it says it shouldn't be changed again till 10k then again the bike is 6 yrs old

July 9th, 2011, 10:05 PM	#19
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	oil should be changed yearly, regardless if it made the mileage interval. I'd recommend changing it if you have no maintenance records. Rotella synthetic, 5W-40 is great oil to use.