Posted by Andrew on August 17, 2002 at 00:18:31:
In Reply to: Oil in Airbox posted by Joe on August 16, 2002 at 02:38:54:
It's very hard diagnosing engine faults when you can't see the actual bike. I think it's unlikly you are suffering from more than the results of running out of fuel. It is very unlikly that your timing chain has jumped a tooth - the chain tensioner is automatic and if this had failed, there would be lots of mechanical rattling from the loose chain.
About the oil in the air box. Although my Savage has a paper air filter, I have read on this forum that some Savages have the oil soaked sponge type air filter. If yours is this type then it is normal for your air filter to be coated in oil (but not dripping with oil).
From what you have written, I think it is most probable you you just have some dirt in the fuel tap or carb (I know you American's call the fuel tap a pet cock. To me that sounds like something small and friendly that lives in your trousers). I know you have done this before, but turn the fuel tap to prime then loosen the drain plug on the carb. This time have a can or something to catch the fuel and let about a quarter of a pint of fuel flow through the carb, hopefully flushing out any debris.
Try running the bike with the fuel tap on prime. If this improves things, there may be a blockage on the on/res side of the fuel tap.
If this doesn't work, my next step would be to remove the carb to clean out the jets with compressed air - what do other people reading this think???