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Offline KB02

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Milk in my oil?
« on: May 22, 2007, 04:13:08 PM »
Okay, I know it's not milk, but it does look a little wierd. On the sight glass on my Ducati, there has formed a milky white film. I have seen this before and not really thought anything of it. I just changed the oil this morning and we'll see if that helps wash it away, but it does kind of make me wonder what exactly it is that's causing this.

When I looked in the top of the oil filler cap there was some of that white stuff in there as well. I cleaned it out (kind of an oily starch-ish substance) and there was also a bit of moisture (water condenstion) in there as well. I wonder if I might have gotten a little bit of water in the oil at some point in time. I don't know when that could have happened other then while riding; the bike is garage kept.

Any ideas?
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Offline nickjtc

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2007, 04:22:40 PM »
The milky stuff is moisture. It usually appears when an engine is only used for short journeys and has not had a chance to get really hot. Check that your oil is at the correct level and take the 'bike out for a good long thrash.

It is an air cooled engine??
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Offline KB02

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2007, 04:27:01 PM »
Yes it is air cooled. Thurdsday looks like it is going to be a great day... and I just happen to have it off, too.

Doctor's orders: One thrashing.

         Check!
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1978 CB750K Project
2000 Ducati ST2
...and a pedal bike

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My project thread Part I: K8 Project "Parts Bike"
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Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2007, 06:09:19 PM »
Quote from: KB02 on May 22, 2007, 04:27:01 PM
Yes it is air cooled. Thurdsday looks like it is going to be a great day... and I just happen to have it off, too.

Doctor's orders: One thrashing.

         Check!

You owe nickjtc $35 for a office visit. ;D
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Online SteveD CB500F

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2007, 12:43:03 AM »
Normally referred to as "mayonnaise", it's water in the oil caused by condensation which is not burnt off. It's fairly common - it's just that most of us haven't got sight glasses so don't notice!!
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2007, 01:47:40 PM »
Yes, "mayonaise".  Its a water/oil emulsion.  I notice it in the winter on the dipstick plug of my 550's, too.  It takes a long, long run to heat the engine AND trans enough to vaporize internal condensation during the winter rainy season.  And, a plugged/ restricted breather filter doesn't help at all.

Just to add some fright to your day, I feel it is necessary to add that water in the oil is a very bad thing.  Water instigates the formation of amino acids, which as you might guess from the acid reference, will actually begin to dissolve metal bits inside the engine, such as bearings and what not.

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Offline KB02

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #6 on: May 24, 2007, 04:56:47 AM »
Well, I've got some beautiful, twisty mountain roads that are calling my name today. Plus with the temps supposed to be in the mid to upper eighties, I'm sure I can get that moisture out.  :) 

This will actually be the first "I'm just going out for a ride" ride of the season for me, too.
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1978 CB750K Project
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...and a pedal bike

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Offline KB02

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2007, 09:55:33 AM »
Yup. 95 miles in 80+ degree heat up and over a mountain not only seemed to get rid of the mayonaise, but also help rub off some the chicken strips I had on that new back tire.  ;D
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1978 CB750K Project
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Online SteveD CB500F

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2007, 10:26:09 AM »
Now you have a good excuse to do that every weekend!
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Offline bryanj

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #9 on: May 28, 2007, 07:32:31 AM »
No, No, No every weekend is NOTHING like often enough!!!
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Offline KB02

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #10 on: May 28, 2007, 09:27:01 AM »
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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1978 CB750K Project
2000 Ducati ST2
...and a pedal bike

Join the AMA today!!

My project thread Part I: K8 Project "Parts Bike"
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Gavin

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2007, 02:57:48 AM »

Yeah, I get the same with my GSX1400 the moisture creeps in from the damp and and a few other places. Some days (more a winter prob) the sight glass is smeared with the stuff.

Once the oils hot the vapour is driven out. A good thrash cures that.. as it does with most things!   ;D
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Online SteveD CB500F

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2007, 01:52:11 PM »
How do you thrash a GSX1400?
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Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #13 on: May 31, 2007, 02:03:05 PM »
Carefully, I would think. :o ;D
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Offline KB02

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2007, 04:34:20 AM »
And either in low gears, or with lots of open road ahead of you...    ;) :D :D :D ;D
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1978 CB750K Project
2000 Ducati ST2
...and a pedal bike

Join the AMA today!!

My project thread Part I: K8 Project "Parts Bike"
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Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: Milk in my oil?
« Reply #15 on: June 01, 2007, 01:59:08 PM »
A good reason to change the oil every threee months despite the mileage, BTW.

In old Beemers, depending on the oil used, "ash" would appear in some areas.  I imagine a filter prevents that from showing up  (BMW didn't use oil filters until 1970)
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