Fuel smell from oil

Lee R · 01-09-2016, 02:24 PM

I just changed my oil for the second time and had the same strong smell of gas that I did on the initial change. I did this back to back with the Honda CRV and it was very noticeable compared to the car oil. Swirls were also present in the bike oil.

This was a 1000 mile change specifically to check for fuel smell as my first 500 mile change was the same. I'd like to know if it's dumping fuel into the oil sooner rather than later.

I'm 90% sure I'm getting too much fuel in the oil and have sent a sample out for lab analysis. I'll post that here when it's complete.

I get 53mpg average on this RX3 which is on the low side.

Anyone else has a strong gas smell?

SpudRider · 01-09-2016, 02:35 PM

I'm eager to hear the results from the oil analysis. Please do keep us updated.

rickosuave1987 · 01-12-2016, 03:04 PM

I just changed my oil at 600 miles (was a little late for the first one) and had no gas smell in the oil at all.

willy dog · 01-12-2016, 05:42 PM

if you are on the throttle in to high a gear that fuel has to go some place and that's in crankcase but you know that. i cant say enough about proper warm up it was cold at night then we had warm riding weather proper warm up is key, piston and block two different alloys they expand differently till they reach operating temp just a thought could be something else

Lee R · 01-12-2016, 11:12 PM

The oil sample is in the mail, I'll post results when it gets back. I don't think it's my riding as I've never encountered oil that smelled like gas in my other 5 bikes I've owned. I can't break 57mpg no matter how gentle I am on the throttle with my RX3. My average is 53 with the worst tank at 49mpg.

First thing is to see what the results are.

SpudRider · 01-13-2016, 12:01 AM

Please do post the results from the oil analysis as soon you get them.

CSCmc · 01-14-2016, 06:37 PM

Lee, if the oil analysis shows excess fuel in the oil, please contact Gerry for help troubleshooting at gerry@cscmotorcycles.com.

Lee R · 01-14-2016, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSCmc

Lee, if the oil analysis shows excess fuel in the oil, please contact Gerry for help troubleshooting at gerry@cscmotorcycles.com.

Will do. I'm not worried if any issue arises knowing CSC has me covered. The bike runs excellent I just want to make sure the oil isn't degraded if excess fuels getting into it.

Lee R · 01-18-2016, 06:57 PM

Oil analysis is back, my suspicion is confirmed. Fuel is diluting the oil significantly. Probably in relation to the poor fuel economy I'm experiencing as well.

I'll give CSC a call and begin the troubleshooting process.

Leaking fuel injector while stationary?

SpudRider · 01-19-2016, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee R

Oil analysis is back, my suspicion is confirmed. Fuel is diluting the oil significantly. Probably in relation to the poor fuel economy I'm experiencing as well.

I'll give CSC a call and begin the troubleshooting process.

Leaking fuel injector while stationary?

Thanks for reporting the test results.

You were wise to send the used motor oil for analysis. I'm sorry to say I am not terribly surprised by the results. I have suspected such a problem since you first reported your problems with low fuel mileage, and the strong smell of fuel in the liquid collected by the oil contaminant separator (OCS).

You are also wise to contact Gerry at CSC.

Please do let us know what you discover.

Lee R · 01-19-2016, 08:19 AM

Spud, I had the same gut feeling but wanted to confirm it wasn't me being paranoid. I'll post what I learn as it gets solved.

I emailed Gerry to start the troubleshooting process. Hopefully it's something easy to replace.

The spark plug was in great shape at the 500 mile service so that's a good sign.

Since it's the dead of winter here I'll be warming up the garage and learning something new!

Lee R · 01-19-2016, 10:23 AM

Gerry got back to me and stated it's normal during the break in time of the bike. I'll just continue to ride and see if it's still smelling strongly of fuel in 500-1000 miles and send in another sample if needed.

Probably a good idea to change your oil at least twice in the first thousand miles as you can see how much the viscosity was effected by fuel in that sample. Oil is cheap!

Weldangrind · 01-19-2016, 10:28 AM

Lee, I noticed that the Zinc level is quite high; are you using Rotella?

Lee R · 01-19-2016, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Lee, I noticed that the Zinc level is quite high; are you using Rotella?

No that was Maxima 10W40.

I had a gallon of that which I used for the first two changes. Next one will be Rotella which I'll use for the duration of the bikes life. I had great luck with the Rotella 5w40 with my Triumph Tiger and the oil analysis from that oil came back great.

My Guzzi unfortunately requires the tears of 1000 unicorns and it's about 75 dollars to change the oil on that bike with 10W60

SpudRider · 01-19-2016, 01:16 PM

Thanks for posting the update, Lee.

01-09-2016, 02:24 PM	#1
Lee R Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 343	Fuel smell from oil I just changed my oil for the second time and had the same strong smell of gas that I did on the initial change. I did this back to back with the Honda CRV and it was very noticeable compared to the car oil. Swirls were also present in the bike oil. This was a 1000 mile change specifically to check for fuel smell as my first 500 mile change was the same. I'd like to know if it's dumping fuel into the oil sooner rather than later. I'm 90% sure I'm getting too much fuel in the oil and have sent a sample out for lab analysis. I'll post that here when it's complete. I get 53mpg average on this RX3 which is on the low side. Anyone else has a strong gas smell?
	0

01-09-2016, 02:35 PM	#2
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	I'm eager to hear the results from the oil analysis. Please do keep us updated. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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01-13-2016, 12:01 AM	#6
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Please do post the results from the oil analysis as soon you get them. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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01-19-2016, 10:28 AM	#13
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Lee, I noticed that the Zinc level is quite high; are you using Rotella? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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01-19-2016, 01:16 PM	#15
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Thanks for posting the update, Lee. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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01-12-2016, 03:04 PM	#3
rickosuave1987 Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 34	I just changed my oil at 600 miles (was a little late for the first one) and had no gas smell in the oil at all.
	0

01-12-2016, 05:42 PM	#4
willy dog Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: vermont Posts: 238	if you are on the throttle in to high a gear that fuel has to go some place and that's in crankcase but you know that. i cant say enough about proper warm up it was cold at night then we had warm riding weather proper warm up is key, piston and block two different alloys they expand differently till they reach operating temp just a thought could be something else
	0

01-12-2016, 11:12 PM	#5
Lee R Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 343	The oil sample is in the mail, I'll post results when it gets back. I don't think it's my riding as I've never encountered oil that smelled like gas in my other 5 bikes I've owned. I can't break 57mpg no matter how gentle I am on the throttle with my RX3. My average is 53 with the worst tank at 49mpg. First thing is to see what the results are.
	0

01-14-2016, 06:37 PM	#7
CSCmc Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 5	Lee, if the oil analysis shows excess fuel in the oil, please contact Gerry for help troubleshooting at gerry@cscmotorcycles.com.
	0

01-18-2016, 06:57 PM	#9
Lee R Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 343	Oil analysis is back, my suspicion is confirmed. Fuel is diluting the oil significantly. Probably in relation to the poor fuel economy I'm experiencing as well. I'll give CSC a call and begin the troubleshooting process. Leaking fuel injector while stationary?
	0

01-19-2016, 08:19 AM	#11
Lee R Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 343	Spud, I had the same gut feeling but wanted to confirm it wasn't me being paranoid. I'll post what I learn as it gets solved. I emailed Gerry to start the troubleshooting process. Hopefully it's something easy to replace. The spark plug was in great shape at the 500 mile service so that's a good sign. Since it's the dead of winter here I'll be warming up the garage and learning something new!
	0

01-19-2016, 10:23 AM	#12
Lee R Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 343	Gerry got back to me and stated it's normal during the break in time of the bike. I'll just continue to ride and see if it's still smelling strongly of fuel in 500-1000 miles and send in another sample if needed. Probably a good idea to change your oil at least twice in the first thousand miles as you can see how much the viscosity was effected by fuel in that sample. Oil is cheap!
	0