BSA B33 engine oil change

[Barriball]

Hi all.


I have done a gearbox and chain case oil change. Today I have drained the engine oil but was wondering how to get the drags out of the bottom of the tank. I have used a toothbrush scooping what I can, I assume it needs flushing in some way. I was thinking of poring a small amount of petrol in and give it a swish round, then soak up what is left with a cloth.

One more question. The gear box pivot stud, should it be done up tight as you would with any other similar bolts. When adjusting the chain tension, should this stud be loosened?

Any thoughts you experts.


Barry.

[JulianS]

I use a large syringe with a length of plastic tube attached to get the remains of the oil out.

Primary chain adjustment as photo.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi Barry,

If the tank has not been properly flushed out for some time there could be sludge at the very bottom and it could be quite difficult to shift.  If you put your finger in through and down below the pipe the filter goes on you will find it.  If you do not want to use degreaser and a jet of hot water, soften the sludge with some petrol and keep wiping it out.  For the last dregs put a piece of rag in with an end hanging down on the outside.  This will 'wick' the remainder out of the tank.  Once the rag stays clean it will probably be clean enough in the tank.

Dave.

[Pete C]

The answer is to take the tank off and clean it with solvent/degreaser and presssure cleaner. Bit of a pain to do at every oil change so I just drain the tank as far as possible through the drain plug (lean the bike a bit and make sure the oil is hot).

Any sludge in the bottom of the tank needs to stay there, until you do properly clean the tank,so i personally would not poke at it and risk it getting back into circulation.

Cheers
Pete

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

There is that risk but by removing the feed pipe on the back of the tank that risk is removed as the tube in the tank can be cleaned out.  Yes, ideally remove the tank and flush it out.
It is worth fitting an inline cartridge filter as this will reduce quite significantly the amount of sludge that accumulates in the future.  Along with a sump plate with a magnetic plug your oil will stay much cleaner.

Dave.