Subject: RE: Drip, drip, drip.....

Author: Ross

Date: Apr 30, 2005, 11:43 AM

Post ID: 1718791561

Hi Ray,

Not a stupid question at all...I'm trying to figure this out, too :>

The purpose of the breather is to allow excess pressure from the

to escape. This excess pressure comes primarly from blow-by past the
rings. So, the air is pushed up into the breather and carries with it

lot of oil in a mist. The purpose of the one-way valve, I think, is to

open when there is sufficient pressure AND to not allow oil back in

way it came (although I don't see why that would be important). This
applies to either the flapper valve or the ball valve. The breather

should not be removed as it also serves as an air-oil separator.
Essentially, the air/oil mist get's pushed up into the breather and

the oil settles out and is able to return to the crankcase. If the oil

from the mist is not reclaimed, the engine would run itself dry.

All this being said, there are 3 pipes on the loop breathers. One pipe

(which contains the valve) is where all the air/oil mist comes from.

pipe allows the oil to drain back to the crank case. And one pipe

the air to be expelled to the atmosphere.

My problem, if I understand it correctly, is that I'm getting
substantial blow-by at my rings (my opinion now...to be confirmed when

get my leak-down tester). The breather is able to keep up under most
circumstances, but becomes overwhelmed and can't keep up when I work

engine really hard. At this point, the crankcase is so pressurized

it may even be pushing oil up the oil return line (this is my
suspision).

I don't see any reason why a ball-valve can't be substituted for the
spring loaded flapper valve as long as it is installed correctly...as

has been a mainstay for Guzzi for many years and a common upgrade.

Ray Hale wrote:

Greg,
I know what the breather box and flapper valve is but don't know

the ball valve, except that it's been stated on this list that it's
"later model". So, is there a possibility of simply replacing the
breather box with the ball valve, rather than all the disabling and
rerouting and such? Understand I'm bringing this in with no

one of these pieces at all and my suggestion may be incredibly

stupid even. But I can take it, and had to ask.

And, while we're at it...would an NOS breather box likely have these

problems? Was it a problem from the get-go? I recall problems with

on my G5. Looks to be the exact same breather, as I remember. Mine

puked but certainly the tube was real wet all the time.
Ray
pax sine tedio
73 Eldo "19"