drz - oil drip from airbox

[Revnelli]

Hi,
Apologies if this is a repeat post......

I just had my new tires and chain sprocket - with a 14t front rather than a 15t. The shop is a 40min fast ride (100km) away. On getting home I noticed an oil drip which I traced to the airbox. I believe that the increased rpm with the new grearing is throwing more oil through the breather and into the air box. My oil level is approx at the top of the mark.

I had previously noticed a t- junction for the breather tubes coming out of the cylinder (see photo). Some research suggests that this is a common mod and that OEM is a seperator. ( see http://www.bikebandit.com/showschematic/m5902sch502230 )

Can anyone say why this mod was done? Should I get a replacement box ? Or live with it? (I don't plan on doing much riding at this distance.)

Thanks for the help

Neil

 

[snackdaddy]

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Not sure if this helps but on the DRZe model instead of going into the airbox/boot the hose is just a breather.

I would suggest that a little bit of oil leaking would be normal..as my understanding is that the box collects all the vapours in the motor.



If someone smerter then me posts i would listen to them.



mike

 

[Revnelli]

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Ok I got the replacement box - but can I get it to fit in? No way. The box is huge for the job it has to do - I read elsewhere of people having difficulty with this one.

Any suggestions of
1) how to get the box into place
2) of a smaller unit that will do the job. i don't run high speed v often

Neil

 

[skidmark43]

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To answer your #1, you'll have more room to wiggle the airbox into place if you remove the bolts holding the top spars of the subframe, and loosen the lower fasteners. The sub will then articulate a few inches out of the way.

But you've maybe already tried this?

 

[Revnelli]

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Thanks - I hadn't tried that....... I'm going for a plan B for the moment - but I might come back to plan A :-(

 

[04klr]

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14 is the "normal" cog,

doing my "Karmack the Magician" routine, I'd say "air filter and skanky sex",

name two things that can cause a drip. A recentlyoiled filter when warmed up can cause (with the assistance of gravity) the oil to migrate down, and out, wipe it's nose and wait, it's a drip, not a leak, my KLX has been on the odd high speed run and it never leaked oil because of it. not sure if you've done the filterlately but just a think.

 

[Revnelli]

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Just to let anyone know - I found the tech name for these things is "catch cans" and that there is plenty of advice on DIY versions on the net.

I built one from 2" PVC plumbing pipe (3"), end caps (2) and 1/2" brass nipples (3) - all from local hardware store. Inside the can I put a steel scouring pad to break up the internal air flow. Fits onto bike beautifully - once I got some additional 7/16ths gas pipe to replace the crankcase pipe. Jury still out on effectiveness, but it's gotta be better than a simple t junction!

 

[c337b]

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Lots of good info at

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/DRZ400/?yguid=21414099

This is a drz/klx 400 site

 

[Revnelli]

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It's all working great now

One last thing
my bike has the 3x3 air box mod on it
so I figured it could manage without the air intake below the air box. This is aprox 10% loss of inlet capacity. The intake happens to be exactly the size for a 35mm film canister to fit onto- secured with a hose clamp.

So now there's no chance of any drip out of the air box, and I can see exactly how much (if any) oil wants to drip out.

 

[skidmark43]

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That's not an 'air intake' at the botton of the airbox.

It's a drain outlet with a burp valve... engineered by guys in lab coats. Plugging it with a film canister? Oy vey.

 

[Revnelli]

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Ok - I could learn something here - so it looks like an open hole - what's a burp valve? (google let me down on this one)

 

[Buckethead]

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Looks a little like this, except on a DRZ the flat opening faces towards the ground:

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Also known as a "pinch" valve. Drains out water and debris but doesn't allow (much) air in.

#9 on the fiche here:

http://www.bikebandit.com/2006-suzuki-motorcycle-dr-z400s/o/m9747

Part # 483987-001

Cheers,

Matthew

 

[Revnelli]

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Thanks Matthew and Skidmark,

Another part that was missing when I brought the bike <sigh>

But y'know I kinda like my film cannister version :shock:
Good to know I'm not restricting the air flow

And 'the boss' is holding out on "even more" parts for the bike

Neil