Oil everywhere

scott1792 · 09-13-2009, 06:45 PM

So I fired up my 1985 Honda Nighthawk this morning, and it didn't go so well. I tried to start it about 10 times, and it just kept dying if i let it go under 4000 RPMs and it made a weird clanking noise. After about the 10th try, I looked down, and there was oil everywhere. I looked to see where it was coming from, and I can't seem to find a definite place, but it looks like it is coming from deep within the engine. Does anyone know what happened?

Dodger · 09-15-2009, 07:43 AM

That doesn't sound good. Have you checked your drain plug and made sure that your dipstick is not loose? Check your oil filter and lines to make sure that nothing is punctured. At 4000rpm, it will throw oil everywhere, so even the smallest hole will look real bad.

scott1792 · 09-15-2009, 06:42 PM

I just went to check the oil, and when I opened the oil cap, oil flew everywhere again. Is this normal?

Dodger · 09-15-2009, 08:56 PM

Over filled maybe? Stupid question, but the bike wasn't running when you took the oil cap off was it?

scott1792 · 09-15-2009, 09:00 PM

The bike was not running. Is it possible that it built up a good deal of oil pressure?

rexmitchell · 09-15-2009, 09:31 PM

I don't think there would have been a lot of built up pressure, I would suggest draining all the oil, cleaning up the spilled oil and see if you can find the leak that way.

Schneiderman · 09-15-2009, 09:41 PM

If it came out the filler cap it would seem it's grossly overfilled, which could cause a blown head gasket as well as a failed oil pump- and a failed oil pump that goes undetected will grenade your engine after you fix the headgasket and go for a ride (ask me how I know).

09-13-2009, 06:45 PM	#1
scott1792 Verified Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 51	Oil everywhere So I fired up my 1985 Honda Nighthawk this morning, and it didn't go so well. I tried to start it about 10 times, and it just kept dying if i let it go under 4000 RPMs and it made a weird clanking noise. After about the 10th try, I looked down, and there was oil everywhere. I looked to see where it was coming from, and I can't seem to find a definite place, but it looks like it is coming from deep within the engine. Does anyone know what happened?

09-15-2009, 09:31 PM	#6
rexmitchell Administrator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: THE ATX Posts: 14,690	I don't think there would have been a lot of built up pressure, I would suggest draining all the oil, cleaning up the spilled oil and see if you can find the leak that way. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas. - Davy Crockett

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09-15-2009, 07:43 AM	#2
Dodger Bald Headed Fat Man Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 874	That doesn't sound good. Have you checked your drain plug and made sure that your dipstick is not loose? Check your oil filter and lines to make sure that nothing is punctured. At 4000rpm, it will throw oil everywhere, so even the smallest hole will look real bad.

09-15-2009, 06:42 PM	#3
scott1792 Verified Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 51	I just went to check the oil, and when I opened the oil cap, oil flew everywhere again. Is this normal?

09-15-2009, 08:56 PM	#4
Dodger Bald Headed Fat Man Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 874	Over filled maybe? Stupid question, but the bike wasn't running when you took the oil cap off was it?

09-15-2009, 09:00 PM	#5
scott1792 Verified Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 51	The bike was not running. Is it possible that it built up a good deal of oil pressure?

09-15-2009, 09:41 PM	#7
Schneiderman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,160	If it came out the filler cap it would seem it's grossly overfilled, which could cause a blown head gasket as well as a failed oil pump- and a failed oil pump that goes undetected will grenade your engine after you fix the headgasket and go for a ride (ask me how I know).