Author Topic: Water in oil? (Read 5791 times)

Texer · « **on:** December 27, 2019, 02:21:22 PM »

Hi - I was riding my K100rs aground town this week in mild PNW winter climate and I noticed white-ish stuff in the oil window after some miles. I said to myself “hmmm”....
So, yesterday I made another short trip and took a picture before starting up (in center stand) and than a picture after 5 miles or so (this time on side stand). Is this an indication of water mixing with the oil by chance? Pics included. Thanks for your expertise-

Texer · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2019, 02:23:40 PM »

And now with a picture of the window after riding.

johnny · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2019, 03:05:57 PM »

greetings...

could be as simple as condensation on that sight glass from a short tide... maybe a hundert mile ride will render a conclusion... may need to drain the oil and radiator and take a closer look...

good photos are helpful too... both on center stand... both on side stand...

id prefer to see oil line center of sight glass on center stand cold... the run it for 15 minutes on the center stand... see what you gotts when you turn it off...

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j o

alabrew · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2019, 04:55:54 PM »

I'm not seeing it. One looks like there is oil, the other, there is not.
I'm not seeing traces of what I would expect to see if there is water in the oil.
How is the coolant overflow tank? Is it lower than expected?

Where can I see a picture of this beast with the red coolant lines?

Laitch · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2019, 05:13:31 PM »

Quote from: alabrew on December 27, 2019, 04:55:54 PM

I'm not seeing it. One looks like there is oil, the other, there is not.

It's likely a reference to the white goop appearing in the glass in the third photo of Reply #2.

daveson · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2019, 05:39:41 PM »

+1 with Johnny, need better photo to see if it's white or silver. There is a silver plate behind the sight glass to help see the oil level on centre stand. On the side stand it's just the silver plate we see, as the glass is then above the oil. (the small black circles are holes in the silver plate, to allow oil to flow in and out)

No, I don't think you have water in the oil, it looks normal.

Laitch · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2019, 06:30:35 PM »

Quote from: daveson on December 27, 2019, 05:39:41 PM

. . . need better photo to see if it's white or silver.

White.

Silver.

Chaos · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2019, 07:02:52 PM »

I agree with daveson. Froth doesn't appear then go away, but silver plates with holes do.

Texer · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2019, 01:28:32 AM »

Thanks all - I’ll repeat the test tomorrow and get better pics and observations.

Texer · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2019, 03:44:15 PM »

Today I redid the sequence and have only included center stand oriented pictures. The first is just rolled out of garage. The next is after 4+ miles city riding. The next is at home after another 2 miles.

daveson · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2019, 04:59:53 PM »

Yep, you have condensation at least. The first photo, at least, should have no signs of white. Too many short trips is not good. The filter will be less efficient too. As Johnny says, it might evaporate out with a longer trip, I spose change the oil and filter anyway.

My bike, which was sitting for three years before I got it, looked like that after an oil change. There was condensation in the oil and instrument cluster, they both disappeared after a week or so.

I'm wondering a bit about the bubbles in the bottom photos.

Laitch · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2019, 07:03:53 PM »

Change the oil and filter then keep riding it when feasible. How often have you been riding it? Is it stored inside or outside, heated or not heated, covered or uncovered?

Texer · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2019, 07:28:29 PM »

Thanks Guys, It is ridden once a weekend or so for now in the colder weather. It is stored in a semi heated garage all of the time. I have been doing some repairs (new manifold boots, new hose system, etc), and need to put some miles on when spring hits.

Laitch · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2019, 08:06:05 PM »

Quote from: Texer on December 28, 2019, 07:28:29 PM

It is ridden once a weekend or so for now in the colder weather. It is stored in a semi heated garage all of the time.

It isn't surprising that condensation is creating emulsion with oil under those conditions. Short rides in cool or cold weather are tough on motorcycle lubrication and engines.

Which weight of oil is being used?

The gravel roads up here are steep, usually snow-covered or frozen. My moto's engine doesn't run for six months. The battery is disconnected after the last long ride of the season. The moto isn't started again until the roads thaw and tighten; then maintenance is completed. It starts right up! :-)

volador · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2019, 09:51:27 PM »

Quote from: Laitch on December 28, 2019, 08:06:05 PM

It isn't surprising that condensation is creating emulsion with oil under those conditions. Short rides in cool or cold weather are tough on motorcycle lubrication and engines.

Enjoying your sour mash eggnogg from a Ball jar, Professor? :-)

Looks like normal residual air bubbles. Is there any fluid leaking from forward most weep hole, coolant or oil?

I'm with alabrew in reply#3 not seeing it Tex looks like your good to go, ride on

Texer · « **Reply #15 on:** December 29, 2019, 01:08:07 PM »

Thanks again guys, I have a complete fluids package ready to go and will be changing all out sometime soon.👍

alabrew · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2019, 01:51:20 PM »

Still waiting on a picture of this red coolant hose brick.

Texer · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2020, 12:55:56 AM »

I guess I haven’t posted one yet. When I needed to deal with the coolant leaks I dispensed with the fairings. Here is pretty much how it sits these days (although the front fender is reattached now). Hoses are silicone out of England.