I ran it with gas in the crank case, but it runs fine... I think

[GoBlue]

I only did about 8 "intermittent" miles, rev'd it a few, then got smart about how a faulty petcock works. There was plenty of gas in the case, and it obviously ran very poorly for the entire 8 miles (misfiring, backfire, cylinders shutting down, etc). I know how potentially fatal this is to an engine, now.

Thing is, I changed the oil, filter and ran it for a few miles no problem, with a close eye on the petcock. Actually, the bike feels full of power, all cylinders now fire, and everything is seemingly great.

What I would like to find out is the irreversible damage I most likely caused, even though the bike does seem to run almost as if it never happened.

[tkent02]

I only did about 8 miles, rev'd it a few, then got smart about how a faulty petcock works. There was plenty of gas in the case, and it obviously ran very poorly for the entire 8 miles (misfiring, backfire, cylinders shutting down, etc). I know how potentially fatal this is to an engine, now.

Thing is, I changed the oil, filter and ran it for a few miles no problem, with a close eye on the petcock. Actually, the bike feels full of power, all cylinders now fire, and everything is seemingly great.

What I would like to find out is the irreversible damage I most likely caused, even though the bike does seem to run almost as if it never happened.

These engines are stout. Maybe you are fine. How much gas was in the oil?

[GoBlue]

Id say, just shooting figures, half a qt, maybe less. The oil was pretty sloshy. Im pretty sure my oil level was pretty pathetic too.

[tkent02]

Do this: Keep the oil at the proper level, do all of the other maintenance, wind it out regularly and about four Hail Marys.

It will be fine.

Probably.

[chuck hahn]

Get the fuel leakdown fixed and youll be fine..As Tom said it will take more thsn that to cause much damage. I wouldnt give it a second thought.

[GoBlue]

Sounds like good news, but Ill take it with a grain of salt. Thanks a lot!

[chuck hahn]

You gotta REALLY really F up to hurt that engine..your fine.

[Rustybottom]

I've had the gas in oil issue happen to me, and that was probably 5000k ago. No harm done to date. I was about 300k from home when I realised, and the engine was knocking like crazy and running super hot. Nothing was really open, so I nursed her home. I got the oil out of there when I got home and I replaced it again shortly afterwards and there was nothing weird going on, like metal shavings or bits of piston or anything.


Like the other guys said, you'll be fine.