Mayo Condensation in Oil? - Ducati.ms

bpreynolds · Jan 7th, 2012, 3:12 pm

In the last 3 weeks I noticed the window on my oil case getting more cloudy. Passed it off as just condensation or something of that like and it usually cleared up by rides end. But today I go out and check the the oil again and really take a long look in the window to notice it's seriously cloudy. I pop the plug and find more of the gunk inside. I've done a couple of internet searches and responses indicate it's mainly due to a lot of short Winter runs. Is it indicative of any other issue and is it still safe to drive? On another forum someone said to check and make sure the crankcase breather hose is not obstructed.

zvez · Jan 7th, 2012, 3:19 pm

short rides seem to be the main culprit, I only experienced on my 996 which I didn't ride much, all my others ducs it was no issue as they're ridden a lot.

Clean the gunk off, change the oil, and see if you can take it out on regular longer rides.

Chris

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpreynolds

In the last 3 weeks I noticed the window on my oil case getting more cloudy. Passed it off as just condensation or something of that like and it usually cleared up by rides end. But today I go out and check the the oil again and really take a long look in the window to notice it's seriously cloudy. I pop the plug and find more of the gunk inside. I've done a couple of internet searches and responses indicate it's mainly due to a lot of short Winter runs. Is it indicative of any other issue and is it still safe to drive?

bpreynolds · Jan 7th, 2012, 3:23 pm

Thanks much for the response. I ride the bike around 33 miles roundtrip 4-5 days a week. And for much of that ride the bike is in the 4-7k rpm range. Engine temp gets up to about 135-150 in the Kentucky Winter. But I guess it's still not getting burned off.

jrt · Jan 7th, 2012, 4:55 pm

I'm surprised. I would have thought that the bike would warm up more than that. Is it very humid in Kentucky this time of year?
I ride Guzzi's and this a real common issue for them. Zvez's advice if fine, I don't have much to add except maybe ride faster

?

mouse action · Jan 7th, 2012, 6:53 pm

Brian,that scares the he'll out of me,I've only seen things like that in a water cooled engine when it blows a head gasket,I don't know what's going on there.I would get that bike hot and change that shit out right away!

NExE · Jan 7th, 2012, 7:01 pm

I get the white foam after a fresh oil change. My commute it 12 miles (one way). So I never get the temp above 205 summer/190 winter.

I have learned to go for a good long ride after I change the oil to burn off the condensation and don't have a problem after that.

NExE · Jan 7th, 2012, 7:04 pm

White residue in oil sight glass?

A good thread to read.

Duccout · Jan 8th, 2012, 1:01 am

I would change the oil.

greggers · Jan 8th, 2012, 2:49 am

I saw something similar when I got my bike not too long ago, I started reading around on bike forums and apparently it could mean a leak in a gasket if it just won't go away. Mine did after some longer rides, and I think if you aren't getting the engine above 150 it's tough to burn that off. Some low speed/high rev riding in traffic for 30 min to an hour should get the engine nice and hot and hopefully burn it off

470four · Jan 8th, 2012, 3:28 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpreynolds

In the last 3 weeks I noticed the window on my oil case getting more cloudy. Passed it off as just condensation or something of that like and it usually cleared up by rides end. But today I go out and check the the oil again and really take a long look in the window to notice it's seriously cloudy. I pop the plug and find more of the gunk inside. I've done a couple of internet searches and responses indicate it's mainly due to a lot of short Winter runs. Is it indicative of any other issue and is it still safe to drive? On another forum someone said to check and make sure the crankcase breather hose is not obstructed.

+1 on changing the oil, that looks pretty rank to be honest... an oil change wont hurt the engine anyways!

** Remove your oil filler cap when you get back after a ride, this will let the crankcase vent & help the moisture & other gak escape. Put the cap in a clean old aerosol cap on top of your bikes gas cap so you don't forget to replace it.**

Any sign of water droplets in the engine? This would indicate a blown head gasket or similar?