« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: What is in my oil?  (Read 1769 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline mgbgt89

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 562
What is in my oil?
« on: January 14, 2010, 06:49:52 PM »
I took the bike out today, and checked the oil. The dip stick was covered in what looked like Baileys irish cream... stuck my finger down in the hole and there were gobs of this stuff in there. Not chunky or gritty, just seemed like oil froth maybe?

I changed the oil and nothing strange came out the drain. What could this be?
Logged

Offline Frankenkit

  • Industrial Strength
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,525
  • 2012 CBR250R, 72 CL350, Member #4600
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2010, 06:51:09 PM »
water.
Has it rained a lot, or have you maybe not emptied your crank case breather reservoir recently?  Has the bike been parked for awhile?  MickeyX had something like that going on in her harley's transmission. (uses different oil than the crankcase) lots of creamy bailey's stuff and a thicker, maybe warm peanut butter-like textured goo on the cover and a little inside.  We just cleaned out what we could after draining, refilled, ran it a while, and repeated.

Try maybe a little bit of seafoam a bit before your next oil change, run 'til at operating temp and then drain. The stuff really seems to clean things well, and at what little it costs, I don't think it can hurt.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2010, 06:54:12 PM by Kit »
Logged
"Moderation in all things - especially moderation. Too much moderation is excessive. The occasional excess is all part of living the moderate life."
2012 CBR250R "Black Betty"
1980 CB650c- (sold) Delilah
1973 CL350- Lola?
Quote from: The_Crippler on July 19, 2010, 07:58:02 PM
Sweet, bubbly, Buddha - Say it ain't so!!!
Stuff for sale

Offline mgbgt89

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 562
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2010, 06:56:14 PM »
It has rained and i ride in the rain a lot. It's only been parked for about a week.
The bike is a 350F. I have not drained the breather.. not even sure where it is. I'll go out and see.
Logged

Offline Frankenkit

  • Industrial Strength
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,525
  • 2012 CBR250R, 72 CL350, Member #4600
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2010, 07:00:12 PM »
I only asked about a breather because there's a little tube coming out the back of my 650 (in front of the rear tire, of course ;D) that leads to a reservoir, and every once in awhile, I'll empty the reservoir according to the manual and get bailey's and oily smelling water.
Logged
"Moderation in all things - especially moderation. Too much moderation is excessive. The occasional excess is all part of living the moderate life."
2012 CBR250R "Black Betty"
1980 CB650c- (sold) Delilah
1973 CL350- Lola?
Quote from: The_Crippler on July 19, 2010, 07:58:02 PM
Sweet, bubbly, Buddha - Say it ain't so!!!
Stuff for sale

Offline bucky katt

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,564
  • i am a pastafarian!
    • facebook
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2010, 07:07:18 PM »
moisture where it shouldnt be is what causes that.
Logged
Of all God's creatures there is only one that cannot be made the slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.
Mark Twain - Notebook, 1894

Offline Hush

  • Finally they realise that I am an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,761
  • "Lady, I've heard it all before"!
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2010, 07:23:32 PM »
Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink. ;D
Yup you have created Bailey's fine old Scottish Sludge. :D
Usually takes a while for that to accumulate in the oil unless the bike is left for long periods parked up or someone dropped some water in your sump for you....did you let the kids wash the bike? does anyone at work hate you? Did you ask the blonde gas station attendant to check your oil/water?  ;D
Logged
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline MCRider

  • Such is the life of a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,376
  • Today's Lesson: One good turn deserves another.
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2010, 07:31:23 PM »
There was a thread on this not too long ago. Basically it is water as has been said, but its also normal to an extent. Change the oil and see if it does it again.

Time parked doesn't matter totally as much as temperature change and outdoor humidity. Where ever there is air (like in your engine) there will be condensation with temp change.

Cold cylinder walls and a warm up in outside temps will cause condensation on the walls which will drip down to the bottom of the engine. Then running it will stir it all up into a froth.

If you run it hard you'll boil all the water out and be good as new.

Given enough time, condensation is the source of the water that rusts cylinder walls to piston rings and locks up the engine.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2010, 07:32:59 PM by MCRider »
Logged
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline gmonkey

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 336
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2010, 07:35:38 PM »
Like everyone else said, it's moisture in the crank case.  Can happen if you only ride for short distances.  Engine heats up and water condenses when it cools but you never evaporate it out.  Same thing happens big time to Mk3 VW golf engines.  Best cure there was to take it for a nice long drive on the highway.  I'm assuming the same is true for these bikes.
Logged
Big pile of 76 CB550F parts
'98 FZR600 purring like a chain-smoking kitten!

Offline MCRider

  • Such is the life of a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,376
  • Today's Lesson: One good turn deserves another.
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2010, 07:39:48 PM »
I see you live up the road in Anderson. Our weather has been conducive to condensation. THis wekend will be too. SOunds like an oil change is in order.

Oops I reread your post and you've already changed it. Should be fine now.  But it will happen again.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2010, 07:41:27 PM by MCRider »
Logged
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline Duke McDukiedook

  • Space Force 6 Star General
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 12,690
  • Wish? Did somebody say wish?
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2010, 08:31:16 PM »
More like the length of time you run it.
If you take a lot of short trips the condensation will build up over time, you need to take it out for a consistent running of 30+ miles (in a single drive) at least once a week to burn off this water. Same goes for your non-motorcycle vehicles.
 
Logged
"Well, Mr. Carpetbagger. We got somethin' in this territory called the Missouri boat ride."   Josey Wales

"It's Baltimore, gentlemen. The gods will not save you." Ervin Burrell

CB750 K3 crat | (2) 1986 VFR750F

Offline TwoTired

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,805
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2010, 11:19:05 PM »
If you get the engine to operating temp and hold it there for 20 minutes or so, nice long freeway ride, all the water should get vaporized and the oil will return to normal color.
Oil and water mixed forms an emulsion, which looks like brown mayo.  Heat will boil out the water.

Be aware that water in the oil will eventually cause amino acids to form, and that likes to eat away at metal.
Logged
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline ev0lve

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,930
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #11 on: January 15, 2010, 01:16:20 AM »
Quote from: MCRider on January 14, 2010, 07:31:23 PM
There was a thread on this not too long ago. Basically it is water as has been said, but its also normal to an extent. Change the oil and see if it does it again.

Time parked doesn't matter totally as much as temperature change and outdoor humidity. Where ever there is air (like in your engine) there will be condensation with temp change.

Cold cylinder walls and a warm up in outside temps will cause condensation on the walls which will drip down to the bottom of the engine. Then running it will stir it all up into a froth.

If you run it hard you'll boil all the water out and be good as new.

Given enough time, condensation is the source of the water that rusts cylinder walls to piston rings and locks up the engine.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=62250.msg

That was me. We had a spat here in Seattle of way below freezing to way above freezing weather coupled with a short ride to work. Kind of freaked me out as this is the first bike I've seen it on - maybe my others leaked enough oil the water just found it's way out naturally.  ;D

At any rate, now that the temp isn't swinging so widely and above freezing consistently the Bailey's hasn't returned even with the bike parked outside in the rain.



« Last Edit: January 15, 2010, 01:23:30 AM by Iggy »
Logged

Offline KB02

  • Take it easy there, Sonny, I'm an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,760
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #12 on: January 15, 2010, 04:48:45 AM »
I posted the same issue in the "other bikes" forum as well:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=22063.0
Logged
1978 CB750K Project
2000 Ducati ST2
...and a pedal bike

Join the AMA today!!

My project thread Part I: K8 Project "Parts Bike"
My project thread Part II: Finishing (yeah, right) touches on Project "Parts Bike"

Offline Frostyboy

  • Retired: Never was an
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,227
  • Circa 1951
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #13 on: January 15, 2010, 05:04:42 AM »
Quote from: Hush on January 14, 2010, 07:23:32 PM
Yup you have created Bailey's fine old Scottish Sludge. :D
Gee, I hope no Irishmen take offence to that one. :o
Logged
Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators.
We haven't met yet.
[CB550F1]

Offline flybox1

  • My wife thinks I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,301
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #14 on: January 15, 2010, 09:15:12 AM »
D@MN!!!  :D
now every time i make Baileys, i'm gonna think i'm sippin' on frothy 10w40 mayo sludge.

...but it sure will taste, and lubricate me better.  ;D
Logged
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline Hush

  • Finally they realise that I am an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,761
  • "Lady, I've heard it all before"!
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #15 on: January 15, 2010, 09:44:59 AM »
Add less milk. ;D
Logged
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline mgbgt89

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 562
Re: What is in my oil?
« Reply #16 on: January 15, 2010, 10:48:42 AM »
Quote from: MCRider on January 14, 2010, 07:39:48 PM
I see you live up the road in Anderson. Our weather has been conducive to condensation. THis wekend will be too. SOunds like an oil change is in order.

Oops I reread your post and you've already changed it. Should be fine now.  But it will happen again.

Yes it has been. I took it out for a long ride last night, and rode it to work this morning. Hopefully everything is fine now.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »