Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

Thanks for the reply Simon.
That I have'nt tried that yet. I only did what you suggested in your earlier post with the the sludge trap out and oil came out of there then. I wll try that some time this afternoon. If I do get oil out of ther then what are you suggesting then?
T

Terry.C. wrote: Mon May 25, 2026 12:02 pm Thanks for the reply Simon.
That I haven't tried that yet. I only did what you suggested in your earlier post with the the sludge trap out and oil came out of there then. I wll try that some time this afternoon. If I do get oil out of there then what are you suggesting then?
T

With the sludge trap fitted, and oil introduced from a wesco can down the crankshaft where the quill normally fits we should see oil passing into the big end, around the big end bearing and dropping into the bottom of the crankcase. This proves that the oil supply to the crankcase is good.

That being the case, you can stop worrying about how long you run the engine (up to a point) whilst you wait for the oil to return. If you don't get anything coming from the big end with the sludge trap fitted then we have to assume that one of the big end oilways is blocked or alternatively that the crank pin is not in the right place for the oilways to align.

HI Simon,
The answer to your question is yes there is oil coming out of the sump, not in large quantities but definately some. From your reply it seems things are happening slowly, Am I correct in assuming this?
T

Terry.C. wrote: Mon May 25, 2026 2:26 pm HI Simon,
The answer to your question is yes there is oil coming out of the sump, not in large quantities but definately some. From your reply it seems things are happening slowly, Am I correct in assuming this?
T

If it's going in through the quill and coming out of the sump, then it sounds like it's lubricating the big end. That quantity of oil has to build up in the sump until it's high enough to be sucked up to pick up pipe and be pumped back to tank.

You don't get vast amounts of oil coming out of the return, but it should be visibly returning.

Well Simon although everything checked out as you said still no oil returning to the tank or rocker feed.
It looks as if I have tp bite the bullet and take the engine out of the bike and investigate further. Many thanks to everyone for your help.
T