Oil smells like gas!

[gixxer06g]

I just changed my new rebel's oil for the first time and I noticed it smelt a lot like oil. Anyone else have this problem? The only thing I can think of is the piston rings didn't set right. Anything I can do? Will it fix itself with some new oil or is it doomed to head into the shop for some warranty work?

[Rebel-Dave]

Yep, you answered your own question.

Not to worry, was that at or near 600 miles?

My oil still smells like gas when I change it and that is with about 7,000 miles on her and I change the oil about every 1,500 - 2,000 miles.

I've been using Castrol GTX 10w-40, works for me and got a rebate which means I got the oil for like $1.12 per quart....hehehe

If you are the type that worries, just change it every 1,000 miles.

The way I figure it I've saved in gas money $600 in 6,000 miles as the bike had 1,000 miles on her when I bought it. I'd say that's pretty darn good. Shoot that's a new computer.

[MattD]

Are you turning off the petcock at night? If not, it is possible for gas to leak down into the crankcase via the vent tube. If the oil has gas in it, it needs to be changed asap.

[GearJammer]

Good point, MattD.......I'd be more inclined to think the petcock had been left on. Some bikes use "vacuum actuated" petcocks, meaning that no fuel is supposed to flow unless the bike is actually running (or starter engaged to prime carb)

The 250 Rebel still uses "gravity feed" petcocks as far as I know (mine was an '85 with gravity feed type). These will allow fuel flow as long as the petcock is open, bike running or not. The carb can fill up & then fuel can find it's way into the crankcase. I've done this before & even tho' it's not good, it's an easy fix. Just drain & refill the motor oil as MattD suggested.

Even those with vacuum actuated petcocks should get into the habit of turning off the petcock whenever the bike is shut down as if the vacuum actuated petcock becomes faulty, the same result might occur.

With Rebel Dave still smelling fuel in the oil, I'm wondering if the cursed EPA gear has something to do with that or not ? Re-circulation of fumes throughout the system, ending up with gas "fumes" tainting the oil ? If the rings hadn't seated properly, there'd be a noticeable lack of performance which would only continue to get worse & that doesn't seem to be the case here.

[gixxer06g]

I did change it right away because I was worried that the gas would change the viscosity of the oil and harm the engine. I'm not used to a carberated engine so forgive me, but turning the petcock off would be the same thing and turning the fuel valve to the off position correct? I have been leaving it in the on position the whole time so I hope this fixes it. I might change it one more time to make sure there isn't any gas in there. I checked it this morning and it still smells of gas.

[GearJammer]

Yep.......you're right on all counts.

The gas would dilute the oil viscosity in time, which would compromise the cooling & lubricating abilities, which could cause problem upon problem.

Fuel valve = petcock......"Off" position upon shut down.

You've found the cause of your problem & another oil change sure wouldn't hurt. Ya done good! :wink:

[gixxer06g]

Wow, this has got to be one of the fastest response time forums I've ever been on. I appreciate the help!

[GearJammer]

Ubetcha........

Please don't feel bad about leaving the petcock on. I've been riding since 1973 and did this for the first time about a month ago. Took the chop on a night ride, came back, shut the chop down, turned off the light switch, but forgot the dang petcock! Chop sat for another day & 1/2 with fuel flowing. On the pre-ride inspection, noticed that the rubber throat of the air filter had been eaten thru. Then I saw the open petock. YIKES!

We'd planned to roll & against my better judgement, I decided to give it a chance. Half-way into town I felt less comfortable with it & mentioned it to a now "ex" "bro" (parted company over something else. Hey, Snorey, remember THAT one ? The "cigarette dude" ? ROTFLMAO!) This guy told me that it would "evaporate"......um....."Really ? Let's pour some gas in your (his) crankcase & see how comfortable you feel with it".......I ended up pulling into Checker's & did an impromptu oil change right there in the parking lot. Then another the next day in my shop.

[cTc]

Ouchie, I love the gravity petcocks are pretty ruthless if forgotten to turn off. I do however like the newer vaccume petcocks. They really cut down on the loading up caused by the gravity valves.

[GearJammer]

cTc wrote: "They really cut down on the loading up caused by the gravity valves."

Hadn't thought about that, but very good point, cTc....much less likely to flood the carb upon initial fire-up from cold.

[Snorebaby]

Hey GJ!!

GearJammer Wrote: "Half-way into town I felt less comfortable with it & mentioned it to a now "ex" "bro" (parted company over something else. Hey, Snorey, remember THAT one ? The "cigarette dude" ? ROTFLMAO!)"

Yeah I remember him ROTFLMAO!!! Good thing you "dropped" him!! Some people......LOL!!

[GearJammer]

hehehe.......haven't "dropped" him the way I'd prefer to (yet). I realize this is a family-oriented site, but I'd like to clock him, LMAO!

What the hay....it IS a Rebel-oriented subject (LMAO!) Here goes:

BTW, if the buyer of the Rebel in this story is reading this by any chance, I'm the old greybeard who was riding the old chopper & offerred you some quick advice on the Rebel. The "cigarette dude" was the guy on the new Harley.

This guy wanted to score a starter bike for his OL, so I recommended the 250 Rebel. One day, he & I are sharing a lane & see this SWEET 2005 Black 250cc Rebel.....500 miles ? 900 miles ? Price of $2400 w/saddlebags.

He asked me if that was a Reb. I told him "yeah", he wanted to go back & check it out a few hours later. We stop, check it out, owner's Dad is totally cool. Before we left, I told my "bro" that at that price, the bike isn't gonna be there long, but he wanted to think about it. No problem.

We're rolling home & about 3 miles up the road, he motions for me to pull into this gas station. I pull up to the pump, he goes to the pay phone. I finish gassin' up, roll the chop over to where he's at. He tells the guy we're coming back. I'd lit a cigarette, he gets off the phone & says he wants to go put a deposit on the bike. Cool! "Mind if I finish my smoke" ? He lights one up, too, we finish & head back to the house.

As we're approaching the place, we see 2 guys checking out the bike, one's getting ready to take a test-ride. We wait until he gets back & sure enough, he decides to buy it (Good score, I'm happy for him) My "bro" gets in a huff, fires up his Harley & pulls it up onto the street where I'd parked the chop, then he walks back down. As we're walking back leaving, I say to him under my breath so's not to embarrass anyone "Bummer. That would have been a great score"......He replies "Yeah! We missed it by 5 minutes.....missed it by ONE CIGARETTE!"

He fires up the Harley & rolls.

After a week of not seeing or hearing from the "cigarette dude", the OL & I walk into the store where his OL works & I ask her "Where did G. disappear to & why ?".......

That night he E-mails my OL & acknowledges that he made the comment & that he intended it the way I initially thought. She responded...*ahem* :wink:

Was riding a few days ago, see this rider approaching from the other direction & start to throw a wave, when I realize it's him. I withdrew the wave & as we passed, I "spoke".....well actually, I yelled something to him.....and it wasn't "Have a nice day".....hehehehe.......

[Snorebaby]

I will say it again......Some people! *Head down, shaking slowly* :roll:

[GearJammer]

Yep.....if it wasn't for people, this'd be a pretty nice planet, LMAO!

[miscusi]

yean, I know some of those people myself....

[Chopper Rick]

Don't mean to hijack the thread here but i thought GJ might find this amusing.


Two old ladies are outside their nursing home, having a drink and a
smoke, when it starts to rain. One of the old ladies pulls out a condom,
cuts off the end, puts it over her cigarette, and continues smoking.

Maude: What in the hell is that?

Mabel: A condom. This way my cigarette doesn't get wet.

Maude: Where did you get it?

Mabel: You can get them at any drugstore.

The next day, Maude hobbles herself into the local drugstore and
announces to the pharmacist that she wants a box of condoms.

The pharmacist, obviously embarrassed, looks at her kind of strangely
(she is after all, over 80 years of age), but very delicately asks what
brand of condom she prefers.

"Doesn't matter Sonny, as long as it fits on a Camel."

The pharmacist fainted.


Chopper Rick

[GearJammer]

ROTFFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!! Thanx, Brother......needed that light-hearted distraction, especially after today......hehehe.......