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Author Topic: No oil in engine? Problem?  (Read 1199 times)

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Offline mcswny

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No oil in engine? Problem?
« on: September 06, 2013, 09:40:42 AM »
My good buddy who keeps his bike in my garage has a serious leak (this is actually my friends bike, not just me saying its my friends because I'm afraid to admit its mine). I'm pretty sure it's leaked out ALL of the oil that was in the engine.

My question is can an engine seize/damage the engine if it sits for a prolonged period of time with no oil in it.

I've been trying to get him in to come and work on it, but if I can "scare him" with this maybe I can get him in, work on it, and get him back on the road with me.


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Offline MCRider

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Re: No oil in engine? Problem?
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2013, 10:39:39 AM »
What bike is it?

Usually just leaking it all out won't cause a problem in itself. An oily film is left behind to keep everything OK.

Assuming its not in a flood, or high doses of condensation, or he tries to start it. It will likely start with the film, but it will burn away quickly. Then it will seize.

Remember CB750s don't even have oil in the engine other than a bit in the sump. It stays outside in a tank.

If we're talking 750, and its leaked that much, his oil pump checkvalve is not functioning. Look in the tank and see.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2013, 10:41:26 AM by MCRider »
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Offline mcswny

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Re: No oil in engine? Problem?
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2013, 10:41:31 AM »
Thanks, ill forward this to him in hopes he works on it. Yeah I believe it's a 74 750. Gorgeous bike. Seems sad to let it sit.


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Offline MCRider

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Re: No oil in engine? Problem?
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2013, 10:43:59 AM »
"all the oil" makes an awful mess. Have you ever poured 3+ quarts onto a concrete floor? Makes a heck of a puddle. Even 1 quart does.
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1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
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Offline vrm

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Re: No oil in engine? Problem?
« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2013, 10:46:32 AM »
You don't say what kind of bike it is but it doesn't really matter. It won't hurt the motor to sit without oil. The danger is though that someone might not know or remember that there is no oil and start it. Maybe you should put a note on it as a reminder. Sorry I couldn't help you get your buddy motivated
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Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: No oil in engine? Problem?
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2013, 11:04:37 AM »
Quote
Remember CB750s don't even have oil in the engine other than a bit in the sump. It stays outside in a tank.]

Unless it suffers from the "leak down" problem like mine, in which case there is lots of oil in the sump.  ;D
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Offline Pecantree

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Re: No oil in engine? Problem?
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2013, 11:14:32 AM »
Been in some what similar situations with a friends bike.
Besides telling him I pulled all his fuses and left a note in the fuse box.

I even do this on my bikes if I'm going to have extended work done with no oil.
I'd forget my head if it wasn't screwed on :o

Steve
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Offline mcswny

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Re: No oil in engine? Problem?
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2013, 11:34:15 AM »
Quote from: Pecantree on September 06, 2013, 11:14:32 AM
Been in some what similar situations with a friends bike.
Besides telling him I pulled all his fuses and left a note in the fuse box.

I even do this on my bikes if I'm going to have extended work done with no oil.
I'd forget my head if it wasn't screwed on :o

Steve

Definitely like this little trick, I can see myself doing the same thing.
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Offline lucky

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Re: No oil in engine? Problem?
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2013, 11:49:50 AM »
The Honda CB750 has a dry sump system. Oil is stored in the tank.


You will need to take a photo and show us this monster oil leak.
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Offline MCRider

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Re: No oil in engine? Problem?
« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2013, 11:53:32 AM »
Quote from: Bob Wessner on September 06, 2013, 11:04:37 AM
Quote
Remember CB750s don't even have oil in the engine other than a bit in the sump. It stays outside in a tank.]

Unless it suffers from the "leak down" problem like mine, in which case there is lots of oil in the sump.  ;D
Yes, I was referring to a perfect world. Mine has wet sumped too.  :D
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Offline mcswny

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Re: No oil in engine? Problem?
« Reply #10 on: September 06, 2013, 11:55:20 AM »

Quote from: lucky on September 06, 2013, 11:49:50 AM
The Honda CB750 has a dry sump system. Oil is stored in the tank.


You will need to take a photo and show us this monster oil leak.

Ehh, I'm not as interested in fixing it for him per say, just wanted to make sure it's not going to seize and it sound like its fine.

Got a enough to work on my bike to keep me busy.


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