Wet sump ball - heads up

[limeyrob]

I'm stripping an engine that seems to have run short on oil but survived.  OK sludge trap was nearly full but I decided to take out the anti-sump ball and fit a new spring.  When I go it out the spring was blocked with debris - looks like bits of sealant.  I would never have expected this but it looks like the spring has acted like a filter and collected stuff.  Easy to clean in place with some brake cleaner once you know its a possible place for debris.

[chaterlea25]

Hi Rob,
Finding crap in there more or less guarantees that the whole lubrication system is filthy
Guaranteed the oil tank will be manky

John

[limeyrob]

I got the bike as a basket case so the oil tank is off, I'm fitting new oil pipes and an in-line filter but I was going to leave the grub screw for the ball valve alone. Its just that i decided to fit a new spring so it had to come out, its not something i would have checked otherwise and i was a bit horrified at the amount of muck.

[muskrat]

G'day Rob.
Lucky you looked. The crap in there could have hampered the ball lifting off it's seat.
Anytime I open a motor the ball and spring is replaced.
Cheers

[limeyrob]

I've come round to the that view.  I've just ordered a plug with an Allen key head so perhaps it won't be such a pig.

[sean]

I've come round to the that view.  I've just ordered a plug with an Allen key head so perhaps it won't be such a pig.

dont forget to seat the new ball .......when I did mine I used some q tips and alcohol to clean the area the ball seats on first

[muskrat]

G'day Rob.
When the 51 A7 wet sumped like a 14 year old  I would remove the pump and spray carb cleaner up the ball and spring. Would help for a while till next split.
Don't skimp as it's relative to the time you do it again.
Cheers