Oil Contaminant Separator (OCS) Orientation: The Official Word

[detours]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I agree with you completely, amigo.

I suspect the plug is leaking on Joe's bike. If he seals the plug and keeps checking for an extended period of time, I'm sure he will see the same results as you. You followed a scientific approach, and tried to keep all variables the same, except for the orientation of the OCS. No one else has followed your disciplined, scientific method of examining this issue.

Incidentally, RJMorel has also verified your results.

http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....5&postcount=57

Thanks, but my test really only determines which method collects more fluid in the tube ... Not how efficiently vapor is scavenged or how much vapor makes it to the airbox without condensing. It's possible that the unofficial 'upside down' position blocks airflow and leaves more fuel in the oil. A systematic oil test with the OCS in each position would tell us for sure.

But I'm not sure it matters. Of course I don't want fuel in my oil, but as far as the environment goes, less fuel in the tube means less poured on the ground. The rest is either burned in combustion or recycled in my regular oil changes before it can damage my engine.

[keithmaine]

detours

I would just like to for all the testing and reporting back with great information. It is guys like you, Spud and several others that make this forum such an asset.

[AdventureDad]

There is an interesting post on ADV rider on the RX3 thread about this, and something for everyone to watch out for... seems his hoses to the seperator gave up the ghost due to becoming hard and brittle. He also modified it with initial major improvement.

http://advrider.com/index.php?thread...#post-29372699

[detours]

Originally Posted by AdventureDad

There is an interesting post on ADV rider on the RX3 thread about this, and something for everyone to watch out for... seems his hoses to the seperator gave up the ghost due to becoming hard and brittle. He also modified it with initial major improvement.

http://advrider.com/index.php?thread...#post-29372699

Very interesting. I'll have to check my OCS hoses for damage too.

I've considered a straighter shot to the airbox. On the one hand, fuel and water condensation could drip back into the crankcase. On the other hand, on long runs where the crankcase stays hot, fuel and water vapor will be continuously drawn into the airbox. Pros and cons either way.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by keithmaine

detours

I would just like to for all the testing and reporting back with great information. It is guys like you, Spud and several others that make this forum such an asset.

Thank you, Keith.

We appreciate having helpful, polite members such as yourself, who contribute knowledge to this forum. Unfortunately, we occasionally encounter people who eagerly gather information from others without acknowledging the source, yet they contribute little or nothing themselves. Instead, they insist on starting arguments, and insulting others. Needless to say, we are fortunate when these people leave, either voluntarily, or involuntarily.

[Lee R]

I just flipped my OCS back to the "official" position which was the way it came from the factory, the hose was still in good shape after 1000 miles but I'll continue checking for cracks as it may be fuel vapor/fuel sensitive.

It'll be interesting to see if the tube still fills after the bikes had a bit more mileage. I have another oil change at 2000 miles and I'm getting the oil analyzed again to see if it's still got an abnormal amount of fuel in it.

[detours]

Originally Posted by Lee R

I just flipped my OCS back to the "official" position which was the way it came from the factory, the hose was still in good shape after 1000 miles but I'll continue checking for cracks as it may be fuel vapor/fuel sensitive.

It'll be interesting to see if the tube still fills after the bikes had a bit more mileage. I have another oil change at 2000 miles and I'm getting the oil analyzed again to see if it's still got an abnormal amount of fuel in it.

Hey Lee, I found your oil analysis in the other thread, and it shows 4.5% fuel content. Was that your bike's first oil change? And was your OCS in the official position for that oil change interval?

[Lee R]

Originally Posted by detours

Hey Lee, I found your oil analysis in the other thread, and it shows 4.5% fuel content. Was that your bike's first oil change? And was your OCS in the official position for that oil change interval?

That was the second oil change, oil had 500 miles on the sample between mileage 500-1000. OCS was in "official" position at that time, I flipped it @ 1000 miles. Both the initial and second oil change smelled strongly of fuel.

I spoke to Gerry about it while I was in California in person and he said it's normal and should be OK after break in. I'll be sending another sample to be sure at the 2000 mile mark this week.

[pyoungbl]

Just a thought...as the piston rises and falls the crankcase goes through a pressure/partial vacuum cycle twice for every time the plug fires. Now, that's only 249cc moving around but it's still pumping/sucking really quickly. I'm wondering if the OCS has a secondary purpose, to dampen these waves as any blowby heads to the airbox. This should not be a steady push of gas unless the rings are shot, more like the vibration you get from the head of a drum. If I'm correct the water/fuel/oil particles get stripped on each push/suck, falling into the clear tube. I still do not understand why we get so much water in the tube but then, I did not do good in college chemistry either.

Peter Y.

[RX3James]

I've been reading a lot about the orientation of the OCS lately. So today I decided to take a look at mine. As you can see it's not in the correct position. Only one time did I ever notice any fluid build up in the tube and it was when I was doing the break in oil change. It is pretty obvious with the discoloration of the tube that there has been fluid going through the tube for some time. I suspect its not building up in the tube because the plug isn't exactly water tight. So here's the real question..... I have not noticed any real issue with the bike. It runs and rides just fine. I think now that I've finally broken 2000 miles on it that I've worked out most of the bugs. So should I even worry about he orientation? Should I even spend the 5 minutes to flip it? What is it going to hurt if I just let it roll like it is? If there is no real benefit then I think I'm going to just leave it be. What do you guys and gals think?

Ride safe friends!

[SpudRider]

I have never changed the orientation of my OCS since I received it from CSC. As with many other RX3 bikes, my OCS was installed in the "unoffical" orientation from the factory. I'm pleased to report my used engine oil is always in excellent condition.

[rjmorel]

My hose has cracks on the outside of it that showed up when I flipped the osc last week also.
I was watching a MX race on TV this weekend and the announcer was pointing out the steam coming out of the bikes breather hose , looked like a cappuccino machine so much was coming out from the hot motors. They showed several bikes doing this. I think they would of filled up the tube in 1 race.

[keithmaine]

The new fuel injected Urals go direct into the air box just like the carb version
as you can see below. The carb version does get a lot of oil and condensation in the air box

[2LZ]

Almost all of the early EFI's fired a load of fuel every stroke, whether the intake valve was open or not. That "blank" spray of fuel would sit on the back of the intake valve and vaporize/atomize while it waited. This process also increased the intake valve build-up due to the olefins and diolefins in the fuel. Ford (in American cars) brought out the first "SEFI" system that only fired when the intake valve opened.
I've heard that many EFI's today still work firing a charge every stroke. I wonder if the EFI on the RX3 fires in this fashion, with the injector firing every stroke? This may possibly increase the fuel in the oil (or drain tube). Does anyone know the actual injector firing sequence?
Just a thought......

[katflap]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Almost all of the early EFI's fired a load of fuel every stroke, whether the intake valve was open or not. That "blank" spray of fuel would sit on the back of the intake valve and vaporize/atomize while it waited. This process also increased the intake valve build-up due to the olefins and diolefins in the fuel. Ford (in American cars) brought out the first "SEFI" system that only fired when the intake valve opened.
I've heard that many EFI's today still work firing a charge every stroke. I wonder if the EFI on the RX3 fires in this fashion, with the injector firing every stroke? This may possibly increase the fuel in the oil (or drain tube). Does anyone know the actual injector firing sequence?
Just a thought......

Yes our EFI can detect the inlet stroke

(taken from PCHUD sensor description)

MAPCID ENABLED- ( MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (sensor), CYLINDER INLET DETECTION) - cylinder detection negates the need for a camshaft position sensor
When engine cylinder is working in intake stroke, the intake valve suddenly
opens, and the manifold pressure near the intake valve drops sharply
(by about 1kPa). The sharp drop of pressure is detected by the MAP sensor,
the ECU processes this signal by means of
the software, to determine stroke. Enabling spark ignition and fuel injection to be on the correct stroke