Oil pump problem?? Pre-Mix???

[JWLogsdon]

I was out last week and my oil light came on because it was low, so I know it was working then.

We are at a family's lake house for the week now and the my boat is running awesome. Its doing 52 MPH on GPS. it usually does 49 MPH. I was like cool. Then I thought.... some times 2 strokes run awesome right before they break.

I am not positive, but it doesn't seem like I'm using any oil?????? I just put a mark on the tank and will check it later after some more gas is used.

In the mean time, until I get it home, can I premix to get me thru but week?? and if so... 50-1????

 

[Dr Honda]

Unless you know there is an issue with the pump... why worry?? The mikuni pumps are very reliable, and keep your oil consumption down to a minimum.


BUT... if you want to know if it's functioning... here's a quick and dirty test.

Reach down to the oil pump, and there is an arm, that a cable is hooked too. It's the variable mix that's attached to the carbs/throttle.

Anyway... rotate it to "Full", and hold it. Then have a helper start that engine. If it's pumping... in about 10 seconds... it will start smoking.... A LOT. Then repeat on the second engine.

 

[kilgorekb]

I did this test yesterday, and mine didn't smoke. But I cranked mine first before moving the arm, and also it was running at >3000 RPM on the trailer. Should it have smoked? It's been running fine on the water, just wanted to do the test for peace of mind.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

When a 2 stroke starts screaming with extra power, it's wise to become cautious! I associate this phenomenon with a too lean mixture though, as opposed to lack of oil. Although, a 2 strokes are known to make a bit more power with better and more, oil, I've tried it myself and it worked for my tune!:

http://www.bridgestonemotorcycle.com/documents/oilpremix6.pdf

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Unless you know there is an issue with the pump... why worry?? The mikuni pumps are very reliable, and keep your oil consumption down to a minimum.


BUT... if you want to know if it's functioning... here's a quick and dirty test.

Reach down to the oil pump, and there is an arm, that a cable is hooked too. It's the variable mix that's attached to the carbs/throttle.

Anyway... rotate it to "Full", and hold it. Then have a helper start that engine. If it's pumping... in about 10 seconds... it will start smoking.... A LOT. Then repeat on the second engine.

This 10 second test, is that on a trailer on in water? I can't do this test unless I modify my pump cable, and I'm not sure I want to do that so I use a bottle for fogging. I actually have to misadjust my cable to do this test, and I have once or twice done this.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I did this test yesterday, and mine didn't smoke. But I cranked mine first before moving the arm, and also it was running at >3000 RPM on the trailer. Should it have smoked? It's been running fine on the water, just wanted to do the test for peace of mind.

Interesting, I wonder if you may have opened it so far it was back to closed. One poster had adjusted his pump cable such that applying throttle shut down oil flow and at idle it was smoking like a bandit. This was a 951 and the cable needed tension based on the photo, his pump arm was at least 15* past normal towards the "lean" position.

 

[kilgorekb]

Very possible I over-rotated. In fact, if you see my post from yesterday, I over-rotated the starboard pump so much that the cable came off and the spring was unseated. It's also possible that I over-rotated the port one too.

I'm not testing it again this week though. It was a nightmare taking off the oil pump and fixing the spring and putting it back in.

 

[Dr Honda]

This 10 second test, is that on a trailer on in water? I can't do this test unless I modify my pump cable, and I'm not sure I want to do that so I use a bottle for fogging. I actually have to misadjust my cable to do this test, and I have once or twice done this.

This is on the trailer. You can run the engine 15 seconds or so without water.

But the rest, I'm not understanding.

You don't adjust any cables, or use any other oils. You just manually hold the pump arm. Since the cable pulls the arm... when you roll the pump arm... you are pushing the cable, so it just bends out of the way. (or maybe I'm just miss reading you)



Just an FYI... it's not a real test. But, if it starts smoking heavy... you know it's pumping. The real test requires you to remove the pump, and spin it with a drill at a known RPM, and then measure the output.


Also... this is a great way of getting some extra oil in the engine, after you purge out a customers water filled engine.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

This is on the trailer. You can run the engine 15 seconds or so without water.

But the rest, I'm not understanding.

You don't adjust any cables, or use any other oils. You just manually hold the pump arm. Since the cable pulls the arm... when you roll the pump arm... you are pushing the cable, so it just bends out of the way. (or maybe I'm just miss reading you)



Just an FYI... it's not a real test. But, if it starts smoking heavy... you know it's pumping. The real test requires you to remove the pump, and spin it with a drill at a known RPM, and then measure the output.


Also... this is a great way of getting some extra oil in the engine, after you purge out a customers water filled engine.

Yes, yes, yes, I could've done a better job of explaining, I can't reach my pump to turn the arm without probably knocking the cable off(there's just no room) and having to fight a fight I don't want to fight. I can't simply pull on the cable either, except perhaps a small amount I don't think is going to show up. I did, however, misadjust my cable on purpose at least once, and when I got the boat the cable was adjusted rich on oil. In both cases I could see smoke, normally I can only smell some oil at no wake/idle, and occasionally see smoke if the evening sunlight is just right.

I'd love to know how much oil is puddled in the crankcase.