Possible Problem?

[Jackroutledge92]

hi, I have recently had my bike MOT'd and back on the road (yesterday) and I was riding to work this morning and was a little late so i never let the bike warm up I ran it from pretty much cold it had been in a freezing garage all night and sat in a little rain for ten minutes outside before I left for work, I then drove for 15 minutes or so and when i got to work I noticed that the oil view thing was pretty merky etc like scummy the bike hasnt been serviced since last year as im waiting for the warmth to do it and of course the weather conditions are pretty wet and miserable now im hoping that because the bike hasnt been ran for ages and the weather that this is just condensation building up between the heat and the cold causing this in the little viewing hole for the oil............. Im totally dreading the fact that is it a head gasket or something as i just simply cant afford to pay out any more money ive skinted myself getting her back on the road. So ive came to the website of the gods of bikes for some much needed advice. Please help! Cheers

[Chrissb6]

I would not worry too much but he’s my call, a 15 min run to work is not going to get the bike up to working temperature. As long as there's no blue smoke and the temp gauge is ok you should be ok. The bike been stood for a good time there's bound to be some condensation built up inside the engine resulting in a milky looking oil - sight glass. Condensation should vaporise out once the engine has been warmed up and ran for a while, but don't ride the bike for long periods of time when there is water present in the oil. What you could do for peace of mind is to get some cheap engine oil and drain the oil/white oil out. put the cheap oil in and let the bike run for 15/30mins (ride it a bit) if the oil turns white like the old oil then you have a water leak somewhere and it needs a fix. If the oil only gets a bit white or stays normal then it was just a lot of condensation that’s built up in the motor (possible with the bike stood for a long time “l hope for you it’s only this”) Moving on from there Head gasket (pull the rad cap off and start the bike, if you see bubbles then the gasket has gone and needs replacing) if not the water will start flowing if you let it idle long enough to get hot so you need to be ready to look in the rad stat opening, then check for a water pump seal. Fingers crossed all will be good.

[Jackroutledge92]

thanks for your reply I noticed it also done this last year at this time on the cold mornings etc the bike has been rode for 2 days now but i never noticed it yesterday but i never checked i only noticed it this morning. I know this may sound like a stupid questions but my bike is a 98 zzr600 and what oil do i get? ive never done this before ive been looking at servicing videos on you tube and doing the oil and filter seems pretty easy i was just thinking of doing this myself then hopefully the murky oil situation will go away the bike seems to run fine and at first i thought there seemed to be a bit of smoke etc from exhausts but it was cold as was first start in nearly 6 months but when running normally and stuff there is no smoke at all from the exhaust so im thinking it cant be head gasket because ive had it go on the car before and there were literally bellows of white smoke coming from my exhaust and there is none of that on the bike just slight white oil on the sight glass. like you say i will drain oil and get new stuff put in there as it seemed pretty low on the line anyway. fingers crossed and thans for your help!

[Stu]

If its due a service then service it but if its not due don't bother if you dont know at what mileage the bike was last serviced then I would do it so you know its done and take a note of the mileage

the sight glass been murky is normal for this time of year and only going short runs...if you get chance to go for a decent run it will soon clear up

as for oil I would check the manual but it will probably be 10w40 semi synthetic

[Chrissb6]

Here you go mate, this video here should get you sorted

Engine oil 10w40 semi-synthetic oil

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[Jackroutledge92]

thanks for your replies I did seem to notice this last year when i bought it that when running short journeys in the cold it would go murky however on long runs once warm etc it was fine and no bother ive always noticed that my oil level seems to be near the low line and not the high line which im guessing isnt too good so im gonna buy some oil and get the old stuff out and new stuff in hopefully that will once and for all sort it. Really appreciate your replies its like talking to biking gods on here so helpfull! always makes my stomach churn seeing white murky oil as ive had 2 head gaskets go on the car and feel like im always unlucky with them haha but like you say i will change oil and give her a good run out it usuall clears up anyway with a long run

[Stu]

Just remember when you fill the oil the level is supposed to be between the two lines if you go to the high side you may find that it will be spat out the crank case breather in to the air box

[Chrissb6]

Just remember when you fill the oil the level is supposed to be between the two lines if you go to the high side you may find that it will be spat out the crank case breather in to the air box

Just remember on the initial fill up to get it the oil level onto the sight glass. Start the bike up for a couple of minutes check for leaks, then stop it and let the bike rest. You should see that the level has dropped this normal as the oil filter will have taken some oil to fill itself up. Then you can top up to the required level. Try and get the bike as level as possible. Check the levels preferably on a bike stand, l’m not to keen on getting a piece of wood under the side stand as on the video, it could easily go tits up

[Jackroutledge92]

yeah thanks Im gonna try and get to the hill tomorrow and get some oil and a filter and get it done tomorrow afternoon ive just checked their website and they do oil in 4 litres so hopefully that gives me enough if im right in thinking i release the bolt on the bottom and drain it all then release the oil filter and drain that.... then put a bit of new oil in the bike to wash out the rest of the crap then lube the new oil filter with a bit of new oil with my finger then put the new oil filter on and tighten about quater turn from when it first grips? then put the plug back in the bottom with new washer? and fill up to top line then start and watch it go down a little then top up to near the top line and voila? i havent actually serviced the bike myself but i bought it just after it was mot'd by previous owner and had proof receipts of everything done so its basically a year ago im hoping everything is ok just gets me a little worried incase things go tits up with the bike gonna give her a good clean and service and hope she runs smooth with a smile on her face will let everyone know the outcome...... praying for nice weather tomorrow to take her for a long ride haha!

[Tango]

Don't forget to warm the bike for a while before you try to drain the old oil.....it'll come out a lot easier if it's warm.......

[Smokin Joe]

Don't forget to warm the bike for a while before you try to drain the old oil.....it'll come out a lot easier if it's warm.......

Ah, the joy of scalding hot oil running down your hand and up your sleeve. Great for removing unwanted tattoos.

[Tango]

Don't forget to warm the bike for a while before you try to drain the old oil.....it'll come out a lot easier if it's warm.......

Ah, the joy of scalding hot oil running down your hand and up your sleeve. Great for removing unwanted tattoos.

No pain, no gain.........

[oslin06]

Also check your hand book, some bike engines need the oil level to be checked when HOT otherwise you will over fill it, which is not good for the engine, just fill to half way up the glass and warm the engine up to running temp and allow to stand for 5 mins so the oil drains back and top up if required to just under the top line.

Keith