Oil/Air Separator Canister Experiment

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by pyoungbl

The amount of oil being expelled is actually very small and air flow alone will swirl it away from the rear tire. You will see a light sheen on the panniers and fender. Oil being flung off the chain will create a greater mess.

You can check the amount of blowby. Disconnect the hose at the airbox. Crank up the engine and feel for blowby. Rev the engine and check again. Mine was hardly noticable at 5K rpm. I'm sure there is more at 8-9K but nothing like a steady stream of gas with a heavy load of oil drops.

Peter Y.

Agreed. To me, my guess is that this entire contraption (OCS flipped either way, hoses, clear drain tube, etc...) is due to EPA and the need to catch and burn any and all HC's.

They want what little vapor that comes out of there to be run back through the motor, via intake. That would be a noble concept if it actually worked as such. Instead, they had to attach a trap to catch the heavier stuff (OCS thingy).....just so the rider can dump it into the soil instead of letting a very minor amount of vapor escape into the atmosphere.

So, my choice was do I want to play the "dump the concentrated pollutants while no one's looking" game, or do I want to avoid running that vapor across any and all sensors that effect the run-ability of the bike because of the EFI?

I may end up putting a small filter on the end but again, that would just create a place for the vapor to condense and drip.

Just thoughts.........

[AdventureDad]

Heres a thought for you engineers.... maybe it's a question. We've heard about the engine failures, and speculation it could be caused in part by carbon buildup. The bikes come with a hotter plug than other engines of this nature, and the same nc250 engine used in other applications. I refuse to believe it is due to the fuel. IF the engine was not designed with the OCS in mind, and it was an add-on for the US and or Euro market, maybe it doesn't play well with the overall engine and is introducing carbon, oil sludge mist to the intake, which cannot be burnt off, due to lower temps, and also introducing fuel to the oil, creating cylinder and bearing washing, etc, all leading to failure. In this case, it would be logical to remove it. Do the Chinese versions have it?

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by AdventureDad

Heres a thought for you engineers.... maybe it's a question. We've heard about the engine failures, and speculation it could be caused in part by carbon buildup. The bikes come with a hotter plug than other engines of this nature, and the same nc250 engine used in other applications. I refuse to believe it is due to the fuel. IF the engine was not designed with the OCS in mind, and it was an add-on for the US and or Euro market, maybe it doesn't play well with the overall engine and is introducing carbon, oil sludge mist to the intake, which cannot be burnt off, due to lower temps, and also introducing fuel to the oil, creating cylinder and bearing washing, etc, all leading to failure. In this case, it would be logical to remove it. Do the Chinese versions have it?

I'm no engineer, nor do I play one on TV, but I do have a tendency to ponder far too much. I'm going to keep on pondering this one too. Like you mentioned, I can't help but think it's an add-on for our market.

The odd thing is the blue RX3 I just picked up for Mrs 2LZ has 411 miles on it and not a spec of anything, nor discoloration in the clear tube and her OCS is in the "unofficial" position from the factory. Weird.

I'm going to keep mine open to vent for now and keep hers the way it is and see what happens and how the oil changes smell.

[jbfla]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Agreed. To me, my guess is that this entire contraption (OCS flipped either way, hoses, clear drain tube, etc...) is due to EPA and the need to catch and burn any and all HC's........

In order to be certified by the EPA, motor vehicles must have a "closed" fuel system.....no venting to the atmosphere, or it can't be sold in the US or EU.

In two weeks, 2017, the Euro 4 standards will go into effect in the EU that will have much more stringent emissions standards......and require ABS brakes.

This affects all new bikes. Since the RX3 has already passed the Euro 3 standards, it should be OK, at least for another year.

The RX 4 will have to meet the Euro 4 standards or it cannot be sold in the EU.

No one knows whether or not the EPA will adopt Euro 4 standards in the US.

jb