Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree1Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 90
Is this just condensation in oil?

Hello chaps,

I'm hoping you can help me out with something.



That was the state of my oil last month after doing lots of 2 mile journeys over the winter period. I dropped the oil out and changed the filter but there was no white gunk and the oil wasn't milky at all.

I put fresh oil in and today when I opened the filler cap again today I was faced with similar but not as bad as the picture above. I assumed it was condensation before but something confused me - would there really be that much to raise the level that high. Also, it looked like the oil was "fizzing" with lots of tiny bubbles with the occasional big bubble.

The bike is running fine.

Any ideas?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Mar 2012
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
That can happen around the filler cap but if ALL your oil is like that then that's not good.

Drop your oil and see what it's like in a large container.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 90
Hi Ted,

Last time it was like this I dropped the oil and the oil was fine - it had less than 1000 miles on it and looked absolutely fine.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Mar 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Moscow
Posts: 1,117
Condensation emulsification occurs when the engine regularly does not warm sufficiently to evaporate off initial condensation forming of cold surfaces - and previous condensation.
It tends to form and remain on colder part of the engine not fully imersed in oil (like rocker covers and tops of reservoirs) sooner than in the circulating oil itself.

Your 2 mile trips probably are not enough. Go the long way and have a regular longer ride!

I heard a standard type car engine needs between 10 and 20 miles to get all parts to optimum working temperature.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Mar 2012
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
If you're sure the rest of the oil is fine then I would do what Tony P says and take it for a really good long ride. Get the oil right up to working temperature and keep it there. It shouldn't take long on these air cooled bikes in slow traffic

Obviously, make sure the oil level is correct and it's not leaking out of anywhere obvious and all that blaah blaah blaah.

You could invest in a screw in Oil temperature guage. I had one on mine. IT replaces the oil filler cap.


You can also get oil looking like this if it were water cooled and it is weeping in (it isn't) or maybe if your head gasket is sucking in air/condensation.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Mar 2012
R.I.P. 25 November 2021
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 688
Let it sit warming up for 15 mins, seems nobody warms up there engines anymore.

Mezo.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Mar 2012
bacardi23's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: XXX<-Portugal->Azores->Santa Maria (island)
Posts: 1,544
Did you mix semi-synthetic oil with fully synthetic oil?????????
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 15 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 90
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mezo View Post
Let it sit warming up for 15 mins, seems nobody warms up there engines anymore.

Mezo.
I do warm my engine up by riding it gently for the first few miles. Sitting for 15 mins idling won't do it many favours.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bacardi23 View Post
Did you mix semi-synthetic oil with fully synthetic oil?????????
No, but there's no reason why you shouldn't.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 15 Mar 2012
R.I.P. 25 November 2021
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 688
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBaldReverend View Post
Sitting for 15 mins idling won't do it many favours.
Wont harm it though will it? take the advice or leave it its up top you.

Mezo.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 15 Mar 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Denmark
Posts: 1,417
I wouldnt leave my bike to sit 15min just idling if I could help it.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 15 Mar 2012
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
It's most likely condensation from your short trips.

On the other hand I had the same problem on my car and it turned out to be a splitted hose for the crankcase-ventilation.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 16 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 69
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mezo View Post
Let it sit warming up for 15 mins, seems nobody warms up there engines anymore.

Mezo.
Dont think I'd leave my bike ticking over for 15 minutes. A water cooled engine will have the fan on after about 10, from stone cold.

Thats a long time with no air flow.

Maybe doesnt apply here, but older engines with worn oil pumps dont make the pressure at tickover, they need a few revs to force the stuff round. My old man had an old tractor that seized after being left ticking over for only about 10 minutes

Would really piss the neigbours off at 7 in the morning, and some little git will probably ride away on it while your not looking.

I'm sure I read, in Performance Bikes, years ago, that as the best way to warm it up is to ride it gently. Give it long enough to get the oil pumped round, then go. As soon as its warm enough to pull away, then pull away.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 16 Mar 2012
R.I.P. 25 November 2021
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 688
Horses for courses, ive snapped bolts in wintertime through "gently riding" and i learned an expensive lesson (an air cooled Ducati expensive lesson) and i wont make that 2k mistake again.

Mind you here now where i live i no longer need to worry about that as the temp doesn't get down as low as when i was living up top.

Now whats the temp in sunny surrey right now? zero to plus ten? i miss the UK i really do.

Mezo.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 16 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 69
A balmy 18 degrees in the south east this week.

What bolts snap? Never heard of that before.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 16 Mar 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 126
No, don't tick over your engine to warm it up, start the bike, stick your helmet and gloves on, your engine should be idling smoothly at above 2k revs by this point, push your choke in a touch to settle it down and ride away. Take it easy for the couple of miles, or at the very least until the bike is warm enough to tick over with no choke.

On any bike oil circulation is not optimal at tickover, getting oil circulation on a cold engine is essential, and on an air cooled bike for 15 minutes it's going to get way too hot.

As for the OP, if you are worried (you were worried enough to post this thread) then drop the oil again, it doesn't cost much. If all seems OK, then just make sure you are warming the bike up properly, 2 miles is not enough.

Is the bike garaged? If so, is your garage dry or does it suffer from condensation or damp generally?
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
DRZ 400 service interval suzuki vs users !!! Zimi Suzuki Tech 6 29 Mar 2012 10:47
2000 BMW F650GS Dakar Oil Pressure Sensor ffathead BMW Tech 5 16 Mar 2012 03:40
Oil Change on trip xtz660 ten ere 2008 model ktmcal Yamaha Tech 10 2 Mar 2012 19:59
A splash of two stroke oil for the DERV? Walkabout Equipping the Overland Vehicle 5 11 Feb 2012 02:08
Shell Oil for a 200tdi roamingyak Light Overland Vehicle Tech 5 6 Nov 2011 01:22

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:22.