2011 txc 511 - oil coming out of the airbox

[dbarnes]

My oil level is correct - halfway up on the sight glass with the bike sitting level on a stand. However, I am still getting quite a bit of oil overflowing into the airbox and down on the motor. Also, I have not had the bike on its side. I don't understand why this keeps happening. I considered disconnecting the hose from the airbox and running it out the back (somewhere near the shock), but that won't solve my overflow problem. If you have any knowledge concerning the matter, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

 

[OlderHuskyRider]

If the bike hasn't been laid over, and there is actually oil dripping out, then you have more than a mist of breather oil going to the airbox. Under ideal conditions, air is blown out AND sucked in (when piston goes up on compression stroke), and the volume going both ways is supposed to be minimal. If you are getting lots more air going out, then you have to think about valve seal leak or piston ring leak, meaning some of your intake air is bleeding into the crankcase/head. Leak down test is easy and cheap.

 

[spud1968]

Agree with OlderHuskyRider.

I've found having my bike running on its sidestand can push oil into the air box (TE449) on my sight glass the oil level is just below half way and i'm not having any oil problems since the oil level is lower than half way. Perhaps drain a little oil out to quarter on the sight glass clean the air box and test the bike. if your still having the same problem then OlderHuskyRider sounds right to me.

 

[oregonsage]

The other thing is to make sure that your air filter is only lightly oiled. Try letting it drip into a plastic bag/can, etc overnight before installing; you would be surprised how easy it is to get too much oil on it.

Since I started draining my filters and keeping oil level below 1/2 Ive never had a drop drip out of the airbox.

 

[ScottyR]

I have started setting my oil level to the very bottom of the sight glass and the problem has gone away.

 

[dbarnes]

Thanks guys, for all your advice. My dealer rep. contacted Husqvarna yesterday and they said that the oil level must be barely visible in the sight glass or I'll experience an overflow. I think a lot of people, like me, are learning the hard way.

 

[motomanic]

Hi, I have an 2011 TE511, used about 4 times, oil dripping from air box from new, I read the threads about being over filled at the factory, and did an oil and filter change two rides ago. I was careful to put only 1.2L in( I think it was this amount), any way it still annoyingly runs from the air box, along with green oil which I assume is air filter oil. When I changed the oil it was still half way up the sight glass.
Now assuming this is only an over fill problem,what 's the recommended amount?, and although less cures the problem, what is the 'safe' amount of oil.
This is the only down side to a good bike, and at times when trying to scrub oil from my boots and engine casings i wish I'd kept to my TE450.A few wise words from Husqvarna regarding this common problem would go a long way to reasuring owners of 449/511 bikes that this is only an oil volume problem and nothing more sinister.
The previous comments regarding it being an engine problem , are noted and if dropping the oil level isn't the cure, then I will have to consider these.
I hope this input helps the original thread, you are not alone with this niggle.

 

[Motosportz]

It is a common problem with these 449/511. It needs addressed / fixed IMHO.

 

[MontyCarlo]

Just thinking out loud here, but what about using a small oil separator, like sometimes found attached to PCV systems on cars, as a fix? Something like this:
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/52205/10002/-1?parentProductId=763433

 

[chas1067]

Hi mine also leaked alot of oil out through the airbox. I removed the filter mopped up a fair bit of oil from the airbox and also noticed one corner of the filter was saturated with oil. I cleaned and re oiled the filter and since then not a drop. If i go for a good run and get it nice and hot and then check the oil its two thirds up the viewing window. Its also worth removing the plug from the tube on the bottom right hand side of the airbox. I normally get some water come out. Perfectly clear just condensation.

 

[Rearwheelin]

Well... Same problem here with my 2012 TE 511.... When I dumped the oil I measured what came out and after a bit missed my oil tray I still managed to re-claim 1250 cc ... The manual says oil and filter change add 1150 max..... So I measured 1150cc and with the bike on the side stand oil began to overflow out were you add.... Ok, so I just took the bike off the side stand and leveled it out to dump more out then put the plug in and fired it up..... Not exactly sure what ended up staying in the motor, I think maybe next time I re-fill will add 1075cc with filter change...... I also noticed with the factory oil fill when engine is idling oil still showed 1/4 full on window with bike level and noted the castrol branded factory oil looked a bit on the foamy side too... I refilled with motorex 4t full synthetic 10-50 and seen no signs of foaming or any oil in the sight glass with engine running.... With motor off and bike vertical oil goes half way up glass...... I will add a bit more to it to be safe but this problem might have to do with the lousy castrol oil and being over filled....... The oil I drained also smelled a bit like fuel so maybe oil is building volume with fuel untill rings seat...? Hope this help and thank you to the previous posters...

 

[Rearwheelin]

Thanks guys, for all your advice. My dealer rep. contacted Husqvarna yesterday and they said that the oil level must be barely visible in the sight glass or I'll experience an overflow. I think a lot of people, like me, are learning the hard way.

Can you verify if oil needs to be barely visible with bike on it's kickstand ? Thanks for your help !

 

[dbarnes]

Can you verify if oil needs to be barely visible with bike on it's kickstand ? Thanks for your help !

I'm sorry: to clarify, I meant "barely visible" while sitting level on a stand.

 

[Steffe]

Had the same problem with my TE449 last sunday waiting for my turn to get to the startingline in the enduroevent. -18 degrees celsius, so I kept the engine warm by using it while on the sidestand. Since i can´t afford an engine brakedown, due to low oil level, I bailed out and tried to find the reason for the oil leakage! Wery annoying when I now find out that the problem was only "temporary" because i had been idling it while on the sidestand!!

 

[Dan-te511]

Hi, I also had the same problem with me 2011 te511, each service they have put slightly less oil in and now it's at the right amount ! I haven't had a problem since !

 

[Motosportz]

I have taken my crank case breather off the airbox and put a filter on it. I run the oil level at the bottom of the window, hot, standing level (not on the kick stand). Problem solved.

 

[Desertyucca]

Same problem same solution as posted above. I learned If I let the bike warmed up to about 155deg (ideal for a few minute in with a 70 deg outdoor temp) turn it off let it stand for a min, the oil will show 1/4 to 1/2 way in the sight glass when the bike is standing level. Cold the oil level is no show in the sight glass. I had the same problem when the bike stalls on a deceleration it blows oil into the air cleaner. Stalling problem was found and fixed. Once I set the level with the bike HOT no more oil in the air cleaner. If you set the level with the bike warm or cold, the extra oil will make a mess of your air box and atop of the valve cover and relays. I wounder if some type of oil small trap with return loop could be done back to the Case.

 

[Motosportz]

Same problem same solution as posted above. I learned If I let the bike warmed up to about 155deg (ideal for a few minute in with a 70 deg outdoor temp) turn it off let it stand for a min, the oil will show 1/4 to 1/2 way in the sight glass when the bike is standing level. Cold the oil level is no show in the sight glass. I had the same problem when the bike stalls on a deceleration it blows oil into the air cleaner. Stalling problem was found and fixed. Once I set the level with the bike HOT no more oil in the air cleaner. If you set the level with the bike warm or cold, the extra oil will make a mess of your air box and atop of the valve cover and relays. I wounder if some type of oil small trap with return loop could be done back to the Case.

Remove the tube from the airbox. The combination of crankcase pressure AND suction from the motors intake make it eat its own oil. I'm not a notorious rever (another condition that causes this) but I do ride real steep stuff and think it adds to the problem. Removing the hose disconnects the two systems and 100% resolves the issue.

 

[Steffe]

Yes! Oil level so that it just shows in the window, and warmed up the engine on the servicestand in completely upright position! No problem what so ever today, even if it today also was -18 degrees celsius (-40 fahrenheit). If the problem appears again, we have the Motosportz solution! By the way, the JD fueler makes wonders in cold conditions!

 

[Motosportz]

I had not ridden my 511 in several months as I have a winter thrasher (GG250) I ride a lot in the winter as it is setup for that nastly stuff and it saves my nicer bikes for the good weather. Hopped on the 511 again the other day and was reintroduced to what an amazing bike it is. Love that machine.