2008 TE450 Boilover/no oil

In kinda of a unique situation. While making some good progress on the highway home, I lost my oil bolt resulting in complete loss of oil. Not aware at the time, I also lost my clutch and proceeded to make my way to a gas station. The bike cooled down and the clutch return, so I didn't think twice about the oil. I left and drove for about 25 miles and made it within 500 feet of my house, I had radiator fluid spray on my pants. At that point I was able to walk it back, but with a lot of steam coming off the engine. It looked like there was oil coming out of every little crevice, head, water pump, seals around the clutch. I let it cool in the garage for the evening and next day there was a stream of oil/water all over the garage floor.

So given the circumstance, I'm thinking head gasket for sure is shot and needs replacement. What else should I look for or check, as it looks like i'll have a good amount tear down ahead of me!

-Jarrett

With the lost oil and coolant, the engine needs a complete teardown and check over, The lack of oil will create several issues with bearings and etc. The lack of coolant will create issues with the cylinder, piston, rings and other items.
Any one loss of either oil or coolant is not good and with both gone there will be damage to find and fix beyond just a head gasket.

Paw Paw

I thought that would be the case, probably a good time to check the rod and piston as well. I already checked the valve clearance, all good there. I pulled the radiator cap and no coolant at all, so whatever came out included coolant. I pulled clutch plates, look like they are still intact. Piston head looks black from the plug hole. Pulled off the water pump cover and looks pretty milky there, everything still attached on the pump and easily moves. Next will be the top end.. TBC

Sounds like head gasket let go when it got hot and lost coolant, you might be lucky enough to replace head gasket, do a compression check and if it checks out fill it up with oil and go. At this point you can't hurt anything more trying to run it again with oil.

I am with Paw Paw. A full teardown would be the sensible albeit costly approach. Good luck mate, feel your pain.

Well its worse than I thought. Turns out the oil plug fine but because of all the oil that came out I assumed it was lost, the source of the leak is the gear position switch (and its mostly melted as well and cracked). I pulled the bottom and top oil filter this afternoon and they are full of metal, a lot more than I've ever seen. I also got a good size chuck of something about 4mmx2mm piece came out of the oil plug, i'm thinking piston ring at this point. The shift action is really crunchy like cinnamon toast crunch, so there is definitely metal pieces floating around, hopefully not any lower end issues. More to come..

When you pull it apart, be sure to check the cam journals as I would bet they are toast. These areas are the first to feel the "no oil" problem and scar up quickly. If so, then you are looking at a replacement head as I have not seen place offering repairs for cam journals.

Paw Paw

start taking pictures... and post 'em. someone might see something you missed.

good luck.

ps- keep an eye out for a 450-510 motor (ebay etc); might be cheaper to freshen up a used one.