What does this mean?

[Redbeard]

And do I really want to know the answer?



Oil changed a week or two ago.

[000zeds]

Have you let it get fully hot ? as short runs don`t get rid of the condensation !

[phil churchett]

Looks just like the oil hasn't got warm enough.

[m1ks]

At least 20 miles and get it fully warmed up and check again.
if it's cleared all OK.
Short runs allow condensation build up and you get this creamy white gunk, often mistaken for leaking head gaskets in liquid cooled vehicles, (of course if LC then it could be that)

[tlc]

What on earth is that then ?

Water ?

[Redbeard]

Yeah ran it at idle earlier for 5 mins or so as I'd just put pipes back on, then took it for a 10 min spin. When I changed the oil the other day I also ran it after that so I don't think its condensation. I'm really hoping it is though.

[Redbeard]

I thought head gasket but as its air cooled it wouldn't go white would it? I was wary of running it as it is, I spotted it when I was cleaning it. I'll go for a decent ride and hopefully it'll clear. Thanks.

[ted1r]

Its condensation as they say, too many short runs you need too go out for longer.

Ted

[chrisu]

i agree its most likely condensation.

go for a long ride - i mean a long ride.

when you get back remove the oil filler cap - condensation if not already gone will evaporate from the hot engine.

[Redbeard]

Phew, cheers chaps.

[m1ks]

What on earth is that then ?

Water ?

Yep, condensation in the crankcases, (if LC though can be leaking gasket, handy tip for LC engines, find a garage with a 2 or 4 gas analyser and if you suspect a leaking HG get them to wave the analyser probe over the coolant tank, Header tank or rad, and it'll sniff crankcase fumes if they are leaking through)

If air cooled then either you've wizzed in the oil filler or it's condensation.
A decent long run will sort it, of course keeping it in there aint good for any engine.

Another tip for anyone who lays up bikes over winter.

good long run before laying up, dump the oil, change for fresh and don't restart, store away, (also dump the fuel, modern fuels suck at storing well, the other option is to fill tank to brimming but given that you dump it come summer and at these ridiculous prices thats a no no)

[m1ks]

I thought head gasket but as its air cooled it wouldn't go white would it? I was wary of running it as it is, I spotted it when I was cleaning it. I'll go for a decent ride and hopefully it'll clear. Thanks.

If air cooled you're OK, if the HG is blowing you'll likely spot it with oil seepage, check around the gasket face round the engine.
A good run will see it back to normal.

[floydsz1]

dont want to worry you but i hope its not petrol,
A mate off mine had laid his triumph (hinkley) tiger up for about a year. He didnt turn the petrol tap off and it filled the crankcase up to the filler. he was lucky that he noticed it before he tried to start it or it would probably have put a rod through the crankcase.
I'd be tempted to take the filler cap off and have a sniff.

[Rich]

If you run a cooler blank it off in the colder weather.

[mikey]

I had this in mine just before the yorks rally had done a few short trips on it just before the rally, so day before rally changed the oil and filter done 600 miles over that weekend and been fine ever since.