I am currently pulling my 1915 engine out of my trike to install larger valve heads. While draining oil I noticed a large amount of non metallic carbon crud under the sump screen. before parking it I had two things happen that I am wondering if they might have been the source of this. This past summer, I did a long trip on the trike mostly at highway speeds. I did not do an oil change on it during the 4800 miles, but did one when I got back. I did not pull the plate at that time, just the plug, but I did not notice any grit in the oil at that time. (There may have been some, just didn't stand out.)
After being home for about a month, I blew a spark plug out, and because I was in a bad area of Atlanta, I just went ahead and limped home on 3.
My first instinct is to assume this carbon is due to combustion gas passing at least one set of piston rings. Engine is a 1915 built in 2005 with about 45000 miles on it. Ran smooth with no loss of power or change in performance until the plug popped out. Could driving home on 3 cylinders have caused this much carbon in the sump?
Unfortunately, I have already pulled it and can't do a compression test right now.
Thanks
After being home for about a month, I blew a spark plug out, and because I was in a bad area of Atlanta, I just went ahead and limped home on 3.
My first instinct is to assume this carbon is due to combustion gas passing at least one set of piston rings. Engine is a 1915 built in 2005 with about 45000 miles on it. Ran smooth with no loss of power or change in performance until the plug popped out. Could driving home on 3 cylinders have caused this much carbon in the sump?
Unfortunately, I have already pulled it and can't do a compression test right now.
Thanks