Author Topic: venting and oil leaking problem from a 1954 BSA A7 engine  (Read 243 times)

Offline ramiroelliot

  • New
  • Join Date: Dec 2024
  • Posts: 1
  • Karma: 0
venting and oil leaking problem from a 1954 BSA A7 engine. My guess is that it is probably a small hole drilled in the underside of the crankcase on the primary side and the oil is spraying out of this hole or the back of the primary chaincase or the back of the transmission. When the engine is hot, the oil sprays out and covers everything so I can't pinpoint a specific location, anyone have any ideas? Thanks a lot!

Offline CheeserBeezer

  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2021
  • Posts: 602
  • Karma: 17
    • Priory Magnetos Ltd
This is wet sumping. The engine vents through a hole at the back of the crankcase which is drilled into the end of the camshaft bush housing. If the bike has been standing for a long time, the oil collects in the crankcases. When you start the bike there is more oil in the crankcases than the oil pump can cope with so the timing gears and crankshaft fling the surplus oil out through the breather and a large puddle will collect under your bike. If you check the oil return in the oil tank you will find that, initially, the oil returns as a constant flow, but as the pump evacuates the sump there will be bubbles in the oil return. At this point, the crankcases are empty, and the passing of oil through the vent should cease. This is a common problem which most people overcome by starting their bike maybe once a fortnight, or by removing the drain plug (if you have one) from an aftermarket sump plate and allowing the surplus oil to drain out.

Offline muskrat

  • Global Moderator
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • **
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 11172
  • Karma: 133
  • Lithgow NSW Oz
    • Shoalhaven Classic Motorcycle Club Inc
G'day ram,  *welcome*
As CB says but you say even when hot it blows oil.
First wash the bike. Second drop the sump (or drain bolt) and empty the crankcase. Replace sump/drain bolt. Now take it for a good ride, report back.
You can glue a piece of copper tube into that hole to exit wherever you want.
Cheers
Now get over to Introductions and give us your story (bank details optional)
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7