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[DynaSoar]

I just purchased a '07 CVO Dyna. This is the third day I've ridden it in a week. But today I smelled fuel in the garage after I parked it for a while. I sniffed around the bike and finally took out the dipstick. It smelled like fuel and the crankcase smells like fuel. I have 330 miles on the motor and have been following the break-in procedure. There are no mods. There seems to be a slight oily residue in the exhaust. Did I break a ring?

[ESJ JESTER]

The oil  level  has  risen???

[DynaSoar]

Not knowing what the level was before today, I don't have an answer to that. It's just a hair under the full mark right now, and it smells like gasoline. Is a broken ring the only thing that would cause this?

I guess I should also include that the fuel smell is undoubtedly noticable, but I wouldn't say it was strong like sniffing the fuel tank.

[ESJ JESTER]

I doubt it is a broken ring. there would be quite much smoke if so. a few questions....  which plug is wet/foul?  run smooth?   Initial  gut feeling is oil is getting diluted by excess fuel caused by excessive fuel pressure, dead-headed injector, cylinder not firing...ect.  The fuel could be washing the cylinder wall thus getting past.  I would indeed strongly point out the long term effect of such a issue on the critical surfaces and bearings depending on the amount of dilution.  If the bike can be rolled out side and allowed to air out then recheck the crankcase oil smell and again determine excessive fuel.  i would refrain from starting it. I would want in writing documentation of fuel dilution in oil  if the chose to NOT replace engine after determining excessive fuel dilution.  Is it possible the fuel tank cap is not tight/venting and your just smelling fumes?  when switching on the ignition the pump pressurizes the system for a few sec's thus you could eyeball the fuel line and injectors for external leaks.   Id confirm fuel in oil and if so make them pick it up. Have you checked fuel economy?

[Hoist!]

Not knowing what the level was before today, I don't have an answer to that. It's just a hair under the full mark right now, and it smells like gasoline. Is a broken ring the only thing that would cause this?

I guess I should also include that the fuel smell is undoubtedly noticable, but I wouldn't say it was strong like sniffing the fuel tank.

If you're sure that you have gas in the oil, and it's strong, I wouldn't run that engine again. I'd bring it in and have them redo that top end. And make sure you get an ECM mod. Hoist!

[DynaSoar]

I doubt it is a broken ring. there would be quite much smoke if so. a few questions....  which plug is wet/foul?  run smooth?   Initial  gut feeling is oil is getting diluted by excess fuel caused by excessive fuel pressure, dead-headed injector, cylinder not firing...ect.  The fuel could be washing the cylinder wall thus getting past.  I would indeed strongly point out the long term effect of such a issue on the critical surfaces and bearings depending on the amount of dilution.  If the bike can be rolled out side and allowed to air out then recheck the crankcase oil smell and again determine excessive fuel.  i would refrain from starting it. I would want in writing documentation of fuel dilution in oil  if the chose to NOT replace engine after determining excessive fuel dilution.  Is it possible the fuel tank cap is not tight/venting and your just smelling fumes?  when switching on the ignition the pump pressurizes the system for a few sec's thus you could eyeball the fuel line and injectors for external leaks.   Id confirm fuel in oil and if so make them pick it up. Have you checked fuel economy?

I didn't check the plugs. It runs smooth, so it appears as if both cylinders are firing. The smell is definitely coming from the crankcase. I can tell because I can smell slight fumes around the bike, but when I unscrew the dipstick, the smell becomes stronger. I also wiped the oil off the dipstick onto my finger and smelled again, definitely fuel. I also checked the fuel cap, it only turns 1/4 turn and is tight.

I have a new bottle of syn3. I dripped some onto the floor and tried to burn it. It did not catch fire. I took some syn3 from my crankcase and put it on the floor. It ignited immediately. That tells me there is fuel in the oil.

I'll have to call the dealer in the morning and have them come get it. Thanks for the input.


Update: I just now remembered that the bike backfired earlier today. Could that have caused something?

[ESJ JESTER]

Hey Dynasoar , Ya might wanna give the dealer a shout-out on the gas smell before ya start it much maybe??   it might be the dilligant  thing 

[DynaSoar]

Right! I will not start it again until the dealer has checked everything and gives the O.K.

[ESJ JESTER]

well the back firing is the certainty  thats theres too much fuel gettin in.  AGAIN,  I   would be certain you let them know that you will remain suspect of future issues with the engine because of this excessive condition. although there is a 2 yrs warr make sure you get doc's saying what your complaint is.  the O2 sensors  dont like to much fuel for all that long as does the engine bearings IMHO.   certainly not in my new 30k ride.   Keep us posted what happens.  P.S.   did you have any mods done before picking it up?   i.e.   sert,  pipes,   Air cleaner,?  also  if the correct the prob with a electronic ecm repair or injector or such. It is prolly a good time for the Amsoil switch or  Premimum syn  oil of your choice

[DynaSoar]

The bike is stock, no mods.

[ESJ JESTER]

Well then its on the MoCo.  Highlight  the backfiring and fuel smell during your diagonois explanition  to get the seed planted on the long run.  It will all work out.. hang in there

[djkak]

I just purchased a '07 CVO Dyna....I have 330 miles on the motor and...There are no mods. There seems to be a slight oily residue in the exhaust.

Getting the Dealer involved is a good choice.

IMHO, the “tell” on this machine are the deposits in the exhaust pipes. A new, unmodified, properly running Twin Cam will not load-up the pipes.

djkak

[DynaSoar]

The dealer looked at the bike and hooked it up to the computer. They say everything is fine. I'm supposed to smell fuel in the oil. I was told, "It's the nature of V-twins to have some amount of fuel in the oil."

I wasn't satisfied with that answer so I put it back in the truck and drove 65 miles to another dealer and was told the same thing.

Something doesn't seem right about that to me. What do you guys think? Is there a fuel smell in your oil?

[Fired00d]

Did they offer to let you smell the oil in some other bikes in the shop? I would have asked to go back in there shop and/or on the sales floor to some used bikes w/Service Manager and do a smell test. Make sure you're documenting all of this, and getting service/repair order documentation from having this checked.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[SPIDERMAN]

In theory, the only thing between the gas coming in at the top of the cylinder and the oil below the pistons is the piston rings. Since they have some gaps, and differing compostions and are not a solid fit to the cylinder wall, I suppose this is a possibility. I would tend to think it due to severely worn piston rings however and also something more likely to be found on an older carbureted motor with gravity feed fuel system than on a modern EFI engine with a closed loop pressurized fuel delivery system.

Of course that's just my opinion and subject to dispute by all comers.

B B