This time one of the oil breathers. Does this braided hose (the lower of the two) have vacuum? Why are there two oil breathers, i.e. what is each's special purpose? Thanks...

Oh, mine is kinked pretty good so I cut off some of the end to try to straighten it out. I noticed what looked like oil in the end of the hose nearest the connector but it actually smelled strongly of fuel - is this normal?

 

the lower braided hose is the crankase ventilation hose . it goes to crankacase breather.
The upper one goes to the air intake and delivers all those vapours, including ones from the oil tank to be burned.

Thi sis the one that spills oil inot your intake if you over fill
PS the charcoal tank mentiond before is siting right htere too.. see it ?

 

Thanks again! Yup, I spotted that last night and wondered if that was it.

I'm chasing down a weird intermittent problem that I think is related to my oiling system, either the crankcase ventilation or maybe pressure release valve going wonky. I am losing power with a change in engine note, and in a few threads it seemed to be the same symptom as those with oiling system issues.

Anyway...

 

doesn't sound like an oiling system issue to neto me at all But hell waht do i know .. I blew up my engine after all.