K100 white smoke and mayonnaise

[PaulP]

The seemingly never ending rebuild of my bike continues with white smoke pouring out of the thing.

I assumed it would clear itself up, but now the oil is transmogrifying into mayonnaise. Delightful.

I have read a little about the water/oil pump seal deteriorating, but the majority of references seem to be oil accumulating in the coolant rather than vice-versa. I can't rule out the possibility of a head gasket, which was my initial thought until I researched, although this seems a rare occurance.

My question is whether a leaky seal would indeed allow coolant to mix with the oil and to develop into mayo?

Also, what is the possibility of the emulsification being due to condensation within the engine, through years of sitting? I've a Jag which had this very issue from sitting for a couple of months, but rectified itself after some running.

Any input would be appreciated before I take the pump off the bike. Thanks.

[The Dude]

The oil/ water pump has a seal for each fluid running on one of the oil gear pump shafts that extends through the oil pump seal into a vented cavity and then on through the water pump seal to the water pump impeller.The cavity between the two fluid seals is vented to atmosphere and the little hole you can see at the bottom of the sump basin below the pump is where either fluid,if leaking through either seal would drop out.So, it's unlikely the two fluids would mix here.
Mayonnaise sounds like you got it bad...All the best.

[PaulP]

That was my concern! I haven't checked the weep hole, it might be clogged up, I'll pop down and have a looky.

It's the bike I feel sorry for, it's getting a damn good thrashing Basil Fawlty style if it's kaput.

[The Dude]

Keep beating it!White smoke is burning oil.More info would be required to analyse further.Make the kraut talk.

[Martin]

Don't run it anymore you have water in the oil. Most likely Oil/water pump seal fault, other possibility is head gasket.
Regards Martin

[Inge K.]

Keep beating it!White smoke is burning oil.

Burning (to much) gasoline gives black smoke, burning oil gives blue smoke, burning water gives white smoke.

[Laitch]

Most likely Oil/water pump seal fault, other possibility is head gasket.

I think the mayonnaise and white smoke gives the edge to the head gasket failure diagnosis.

[F14CRAZY]

I would do a compression test or perhaps attach a compression gauge hose to an air compressor. Due to the cavity between the oil and coolant seals in the pump I don't think you'd have contamination that way

[PaulP]

Well I've been down having a look....

Mayonnaise isn't as bad as first seemed. For now, I'm going to convince myself it's just a little moisture from lying up. It hasn't completely emulsified the oil, more a little build up on the sight glass and cap. Wiped off the cap and not returned, and from what I can see of the internal components the oil still seems like oil.

Starts up from warm with no appreciable smoke, but once it heats up, maybe 2 or 3 minutes, the smoke gets progressively worse until I'm choked out of the garage. Fuel by the smell of it.

I dug out the weep hole, it was full of crud, but nothing is leaking from there that I can see.

[Laitch]

Mayonnaise isn't as bad as first seemed.

This could be an emotional roller coaster. It could also kill any vermin in the garage, so it's got that in its favor.

[PaulP]

I've given this thing a month of my life.

I've read that the K100 is bullet proof, but by the end of this week I may well be able to report if it's 12-gauge buckshot proof.

[Martin]

If it's been sitting for years you should do an oil and filter change. You don't know what's in there.
Regards Martin.

[PaulP]

Yes, that is a wise move for sure.

However I've changed the oil and filter; flushed and replaced coolant; repaired radiator; new expansion tank hose; gearbox oil; final drive oil; new plugs; new fuel filter; replaced HT leads; repaired the fan; repaired the fuel pump; cleaned the injectors; cleaned/repaired throttle bodies; replaced manifolds; new exhaust gaskets; rebuilt master cylinder; rebuilt calipers; coolant cap; cleaned earths; replaced all the fuses; rebuilt the handlebar switches; footered about with the instrument cluster and numerous other tasks and fixes, but I'm seriously thinking about setting it aside for another 19 years!

Sometimes enough is enough....

[Martin]

 :2thumbup: Have you removed the spark plugs, a leaking head gasket often leaves signs on the plug.
Regards Martin.

[K1300S]

Compression check?   This is basic test that should be one of the first things done.

[Inge K.]

The mayonaisse can be a result from many short trips/starts in row, so the engine haven't been heated up
enough to get rid of the condensation inside.

[PaulP]

Thanks all for the suggestions / input.

I took the bike for a wee run on non-public roads, which was interesting with one functioning caliper out of the three. (Still waiting on guide pins)

Inge K; The mayonnaise has definately cleared up, so it would have been caused by residual moisture within the engine, I'm always quick to assume the worst.

The plugs look OK-ish, and I'll skip the compression test for now.

There is still a little smoke but again, I'm hoping this will clear itself up....

[jakgieger]

Burning (to much) gasoline gives black smoke, burning oil gives blue smoke, burning water gives white smoke.

Problems sounds like lack of RPMs and distance.  These bikes are made to run.  Seems like I heard somewhere, maybe NPR Cartalk, that you need to run longer than 30 minutes at speed in order to "burn" the water that accumulates in the motor.  Regardless, it pays to make her squeal now and again .