2000 Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Sportster Custom Logo
Posted on Nov 10, 2008
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

Oil blow out the breather

What would cause oil to blow out the breather on a Harley Davidson Sporster 1200 motor?

6 Answers

Anonymous

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Vice President:

An expert whose answer got voted for 100 times.

  • Harley Davidson Master 420 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 04, 2009
Anonymous
Harley Davidson Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Vice President:

An expert whose answer got voted for 100 times.

Joined: Mar 02, 2009
Answers
420
Questions
1
Helped
181404
Points
1230

This is a common problem on all sportsters, they have an oil blow by that dumps it into the air filter. I have found that if I run about a half quart low the problem goes away.

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 40 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 23, 2009
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Mar 23, 2009
Answers
40
Questions
0
Helped
22424
Points
57

Too much oil; bad umbrella valves in rocker covers;

Ad

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

  • Contributor 8 Answers
  • Posted on May 21, 2009
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

Joined: May 19, 2009
Answers
8
Questions
0
Helped
6944
Points
9

Failed umbrella valves are common on bikes over 10-15,000kms. Solution is fit an inline breather valve system, to cure the problem without a tear down. Overfull oil tank is number two, as stated above. Modified ignition and or altered cams can also contribute.
Increasing crankcase blow-by vapour volume if it's a high mileage engine, is very likely. Try Lucas stabiliser if so. You also can check case air pressure for this. A failing oil pump leading to wet-sumping is also likely on a high-mileage engine. Good luck.

Sam Brown

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Welcome Back:

Visited the website for 2 consecutive days.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

  • Contributor 9 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 12, 2016
Sam Brown
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Welcome Back:

Visited the website for 2 consecutive days.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

Joined: Oct 28, 2011
Answers
9
Questions
0
Helped
373007
Points
31

If you are fairly handy with spanners you could try fitting a kawasaki engine and frame. Much better!

Bill Freedman

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

  • Contributor 9 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 13, 2014
Bill Freedman
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

Joined: Feb 08, 2012
Answers
9
Questions
1
Helped
9071
Points
12

Excessive crankcase pressure is always the cause of oil blowing out of the engine breather. It can be caused by, combustion gases bypassing the rings(ring, cylinder, or piston wear etc.). Excessive oil in the oil tank. Sticking oil check ball(wet sumping). Wrong type or weight oil.

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 22 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 10, 2008
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Nov 10, 2008
Answers
22
Questions
0
Helped
14104
Points
96

An overfull oil tank will do it. Even if not overfull just about all harley's will blow oil out the air filter. Unless there is a bunch of oil coming out, it's not a problem

What I've found is that the air filter eventually gets saturated and then starts to leak through. The level in the oil tank doesn't seem to matter. If you change the air filter the problem goes away, until the new one gets saturated and then it starts all over again. My plan is to get a K&N air filter, which you can clean yourself and save having to buy a new air filter every 4,000 miles or so.

1 Related Answer

Anonymous

  • 2712 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 20, 2008

SOURCE: oil blow out the breather

An overfull oil tank will do it. Even if not overfull just about all harley's will blow oil out the air filter. Unless there is a bunch of oil coming out, it's not a problem What I've found is that the air filter eventually gets saturated and then starts to leak through. The level in the oil tank doesn't seem to matter. If you change the air filter the problem goes away, until the new one gets saturated and then it starts all over again. My plan is to get a K&N air filter, which you can clean yourself and save having to buy a new air filter every 4,000 miles or so.

Ad

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

1993 Harley-Davidson 1340 Softail Custom. Oil all over underside of motor coming out on drive belt possible PC valve timing

Question edited for full year make model.
Question moved from Cars and Trucks

What causes oil to come out of the breather on a Harley?
Top breathing engines breath, or vent, through the top breather bolts which are threaded into the heads of a Harley Davidson motor. The air inside a motor is saturated with oil. When oil drips out of an air cleaner assembly, it is usually an indication that the air cleaner element is due to be cleaned, or changed.Oct 22, 2019

What causes oil to come out of the breather on a Harley Davidson?

Videos as well

https://www.google.com/search?q=1993+Harley-Davidson+1340+Softail+Custom.+Oil+all+over+underside+of+motor

..
1helpful
1answer

Oil capacities

Oil tank capacity is 3.6 quarts (U.S.) (3.4 liters).
0helpful
1answer

I have a 2006 Harley davidson 883 custom sporster and i have motor oil leaking from the air filter is there a air breater on the crankcase that might be pluged and if so where is it

make sure the oil is not over full when oil has no where to go it will seep thru breather tube to carb i have 3 that do the same thing if it is real bad it could be the rings
0helpful
1answer

Getting oil on the air filter and when im riding it blows back on the exhaust.

It helpes if you have oil only 1/2 way up on stick,, + some tie the breather tubes together w/ a T then down to a small breather / filter ..& mount filter under motor.. may i suggest harleytalking.com good group have helped me...
0helpful
1answer

What wt oil do I use in a 2007 xl1200l?

Your bike came with Harley-Davidson 20W50 oil in it. You can use any oil of that weigh as long as it meets H-D's recommendations. Mobil V-Twin, Amsoil, Royal Purple, RevTech, and Motor Factory are some of the better known brands if you don't want to use H-D oil. Just make sure you check on the requirements of the oil.
1helpful
1answer

Diagram oils system 1989 sporster

Yes, I have a diagram of an Ironhead Sportster. They're basically the same. The only difference is the hydraulic tappets in the Evolution models. How can I help? [email protected]
2helpful
2answers

I have a 2006 sporster low getting some oil in my

I found this article that should help you alot with theory part of why this is happening.'
It's from a sportster but an older model than yours. Take a look and see if you can get it cleaned up.
http://www.mklsportster.com/xloilblowbyarticle.htm

Good Luck and Thanks for using FixYa
5helpful
1answer

Oil blow out the breather

An overfull oil tank will do it. Even if not overfull just about all harley's will blow oil out the air filter. Unless there is a bunch of oil coming out, it's not a problem What I've found is that the air filter eventually gets saturated and then starts to leak through. The level in the oil tank doesn't seem to matter. If you change the air filter the problem goes away, until the new one gets saturated and then it starts all over again. My plan is to get a K&N air filter, which you can clean yourself and save having to buy a new air filter every 4,000 miles or so.
Not finding what you are looking for?

3,193 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Harley Davidson Experts

Arnie Burke
Arnie Burke

Level 3 Expert

7339 Answers

Sean Wright
Sean Wright

Level 3 Expert

2045 Answers

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

Are you a Harley Davidson Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...