Topic: Oil puddles in head

[billstron]

Hello all,
Took my valve cover off to replace some gaskets, and noticed pretty big oil puddles setting on top of my valves for #1.  In fact there were a number of puddles in there mostly on the left side.  Is this normal?  I had my cover off a couple of weeks ago (replacing the main gasket), and I didn't notice all of this oil. 

The bike was setting on the side stand.  It seems like the oil would run to that side.  Also, the timing chain tension was probably not right.  While I had the cover off, I played with the tensioner so I could prove to myself the correct tensioning direction.  So previously, the chain was probably improperly loose.  Also, my engine is smoking from 1 and 2.  The puddles seem like they might be the culprits. 

How does oil get up there anyway?  I didn't see any obvoius place where oil would squirt out.  Does it just ride the chain up? 

I've rambled a bit, but any thoughts? 

[nickjtc]

This sounds like a post from last week. Honda designed the head and oil flow so that there is always lubrication around the lobes of the camshaft, even when the bike is turned off. That way when the engine is first turned on the top end has some lubrication at the the start, and until the flow gets going.

As to the exact route of the oil to the head...I don't know.

Is the engine smoking from start up or only once running and warm? Only on over-run??

[billstron]

Is the engine smoking from start up or only once running and warm? Only on over-run??

Good question, I didn't notice until late in my ride, and since then the bike has been torn apart awaiting a clutch.  I haven't ever notice the smoke before, so if I had to guess, after it warmed up.  What do you mean by over-run?  What do the different conditions mean? 

Thanks for the prompt reply, is there a post from last week that I should visit? 

[Hop on a Honda]

Be thankfull If you are getting oil to thecams etc its good puddles are a design feature.
I have just discovered that my jest which delivers oil to the L&RH side is clooged Big Opp.
The LH Side is Ok and sprays as it should.
Dave

[billstron]

Hop, where does the oil come out?  I didn't see any place for spraying. 

[nickjtc]

If it smokes all the time then it could be your pistons/rings worn. If only on closed throttle/over-run it may be your valve guides. A compression and leakdown test should tell all.