What is the reason for the oil return tank on the Z400????

 

To **** us off and confuse us! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

You mean the oil reservoir tank?

The z400 is a dry sump engine so the oil circulates through a system from tank to engine, and back......

There is also a plastic PCV box up under the seat that is in the system.

 

YEA the PVC tank.......The part is called "oil return tank" I was wanting to know what its real purpose was or can it be removed and install just lines instead of the bulky box......

 

The box is just an overflow and ventilator...

Like on an older car they had a PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve usually running off the valve cover, the box is used as a vent in the system to allow excess air out of the system....

At least this is how it was explained me at the Kawasaki dealer when mine was replaced. It started leaking on about the 3rd ride. The tech told me there were a bunch of bad ones from the factory so they replaced it for me.

One nice thing about that system is that you can run a little extra oil without overfilling it. I know guy who race Baja/dessert type races and they will run an extra 1/4-to-1/2 quart of oil more so there is less breakdown. I don't know if it works but you know how racers will try anything to get an edge even if it is only in their heads....