1991 Phazer MPG/oil Leak

Z

Zack1978

New member
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
142
Hi everyone,
I am the proud second owner of a 1991 Phazer, that just hit 3,000 miles yesterday. However I am having an issue or two with the sled. At the start of November I took the sled to upstate NY to have the "pre-season" service done, and have the truck replaced. When the shop was done I loaded the sled on the trailer, and didn't even start it until Dec 31 when I went riding.

On the 31st when I loaded the sled I noticed a bit of gas by the left side footwell, but nothing major and it stopped. It started great, and seemed to run fine. When we started riding I had a full tank of gas, after 18 miles I was down to 3/4 of a tank? At first I figured that I had a gas leak, so I took it back to the shop that did the work, they could find no leak at all, however they could not explain why I am burning so much gas. As for the gas by the footwell, they only noticed that the vent line had a bit of gas residue, and they claimed that I filled it too high? I have owned the sled since 1994, and I have always filled it the same way. I also noticed that it is blowing a large amount of smoke (in the past it just blew a lot of smoke when you first in the morning, now it seems that it blows a good amount of smoke every time you start it, it get MUCH better/cleans up when you start to ride). Any ideas what could be wrong? I didn't have a chance to pull the plugs, but this is so strange. Could the barbs be adjusted wrong? Any way to check this simply?

Also I noticed what appears to be a red/purple oil drips from the right side of the sled, near where the exhaust exits. Any ideas as to what that could be? What color is chain case oil? How do I check that oil?


Thanks everyone,
Zack
 
I find its difficult to tell on a phazer how much fuel you have left and how much you have actually used based on the fuel tube to the right of the tank. Did you top up the tank after that ride to see how much went in? This is the best way to tell if you are using excessive fuel. If you used a 1/4 tank in 18 miles it probably would have been running like crap.

They will drain some fuel if topped right to the top, but shouldn't "siphon" beyond draining what is in the neck of the tank.

As for the smoke, it could be that its running a bit rich in oil. In the phazers it shouldn't be an issue if you aren't fouling plugs.

The oil drips on the exhaust side-run your hand under the chaincase to make sure the oil isn't dripping from a bad seal on the case cover. If they changed the chaincase oil it could just be left over from when it was drained.

Find out how much fuel you actually used. ;)!
 
Check for a bad needle and seat in the carbs. Sounds like the carbs are flooding slightly, Oil pump is mechanical but does have an adjustment. A decent running Phazer should get around 14 to 15 mpg. Don't go by the fuel level hose as an accurat measurment of fuel. Since you said you are seeing fuel and oil drippage on the right side near the exhaust, you are running rich.
 
Well this afternoon I pulled the plugs, and they were black. They were replaced with the "pre-season" service. So I assume that my sled it just running rich? If so how do I adjust the carb. I have NO carb adjusting skills whatsoever, should I just bring it up to the shop (4+ hours away :o| )

Thanks,
Zack
 
As the others told you, check the gas mileage and oil usage.
And check the chaincase oil level.
 
If you are saying it is running "rich", Black Plugs, I would investigate the carbs. The only adjustment on those carbs are the idle air circut. All other jets are fixed jets. I would still suspect a bad needle and seat valve. Due to age, and years of poor fuel, cheap insurance to have them replaced.
 
Well I wanted the sled to be fixed properly without a guessing game so I drove back to upstate NY and dropped it at a different shop. I spoke with the owner/tech who took my sled in. He noticed a bit of oil residue (looked like black tar) on the top of the exhaust near the engine, and he claims that is a tell tale sign that it is running too rich. He has the sled now and he will check it in the next few days. I hope this is a cheap easy fix!

Also I am not sure if the first shop changed the gas filter under the seat, how often must those filters be changed? I guess while he has the sled I will ask him to do that as well. I am also having him change the fan belt.


Thanks,
Zack
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top