Removing starter - oil spill?

[Donut 77]

Hi, bit of a novice here - should there be oil coming out when the starter is removed? The reason I ask is because there doesn't seem to be a gasket where the starter meets the block and I've worked on cars before and the flywheel is completely dry. I am aware this is probably quite a dumb thing to ask, sorry!

[tony.mon]

The smaller round section of the starter motor, where it inserts into the casing, should have an o ring to seal any residual oil at that point.
In practice there is no oil at that level, only oil vapour and crankcase fumes.
You can remove it without taking the oil out of the engine first.

[AMCQ46]

There is an o-ring on the nose of the starter that makes it oil tight, but you shouldn’t get much of an oil spill when you take the starter out as it is above the static oil level.

[Donut 77]

Thanks. I did get a fair dribble (in total probably about 1cm in a 10” round plastic roses tub) but I think some of that was from when I was hand cranking and the starter was left out. I’m a bit worried that the coolant tank is dry and that this might be why oil level is high? Is it easy to tell if there’s an oil/coolant mix.

I think I’ve stripped the bike down now too far to be able to start it, which is probably really dumb.

I was thinking of stripping the coolant system down next to visually inspect that and test somehow? Bench pressure test/hosepipe on the rads.

Is it ok to try and run without coolant for just enough time to check that it’s working? Or is this a really bad idea?

[tony.mon]

No, you'll be fine if only run for a minute or two.
The temp gauge won't work, so don't wait for that to climb before turning it off.

As regards coolant in the oil- you'll be changing the oil as a matter of course, surely?
And the filter.
Definitely needs doing before you try to start it; ideally before trying to turn it over, but you're already past that point.

You'll be able to see water in the oil when it comes out. If it's been standing outside for a while there is likely to be a little water, that will be condensation where the engine breathers still allow a little damp air in on cold wet days, and it condenses on the inside of the crankcases.
But the old oil shouldn't be milky.

[Donut 77]

Great, thanks for advice. I was in a slight catch 22 in that I wanted to turn it over before spending even on a pot of oil. Now I know it’s not seized, I will start to put some nice fresh stuff in it..

[Donut 77]

No, you'll be fine if only run for a minute or two.…

Any advice on how to open the ‘slides’ when doing a further compression test. I have now at least found out what and where they are!!

TIA

[tony.mon]

Fingers work well.

[Donut 77]

Fingers work well.

So I’m told

Actually, I wasn’t too sure it was safe to hold them open.

So I’m safe to assume they won’t cut my fingers off with the vacuum?!

[tony.mon]

Fingers work well.

So I’m told

Actually, I wasn’t too sure it was safe to hold them open.

So I’m safe to assume they won’t cut my fingers off with the vacuum?!

No, it's safe.