Creamy Oil

Tom_B1H · Nova Slayer Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Karma :

Just washed my bike this morning and noticed the sight glass was misted up, checked the oil cap and it has the creamy "mayo" on it.
I've read this is normally the sign of head gasket blown but i've also heard it can be excessive moisture buid up due to short journeys,
i travel 8 miles a day.
Im hoping in my case this is the latter, any ideas? Bike is '07 zx6r with 5k miles.
Thanks
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Maruchino · Spanner Monkey Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Karma :

I had this on my 2001 ZX6R. Take it for a long spirited ride and it will clear out. I would imagine it is the latter. 8 miles is probably not long enough to shift the moisture on a daily basis.

Tom_B1H · Nova Slayer Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Karma :

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

Hi, it probably is just a bit of condensation.

As long as the coolant level isn't dropping and the temperature isn't rising then it's more than likely the short journeys on these colder days causing the condensation.

Take it for a longer run and when you get back take the oil cap off and let it vent a while.

Remember to clean and replace the cap.

[edit] no need to change the oil if it isn't service time. I did and after my 1st short journey the misting had returned.

Pat
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Maruchino · Spanner Monkey Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Karma :

This was the state of mine when I had only done short trips for a while;

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/bike/waterinoil2.jpg

Soon cleared after I got back onto my longer commute.

Regularly checking the coolant level will obviously tell you if you have a major issue also.

lukamon · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 May 2007 Karma :

it should go if you start doing a few longer journeys, yes.

on my civic after the head gasket went, i didnt change the oil with the mayo in it ( Embarassed

) for about 10 days / 300 miles and when i drained it there was no mayo at all, i assume it burnt off
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Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

Take the bike out for a long journy, then see if it's still there. If it goes then no problem, if not then change it and see if it comes back.

Have you checked your coolant lately?

Given that you do an 8 mile commute I would expect it to just be moisture build up.
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alun111 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 May 2007 Karma :

I had this problem recently too. Checked my coolant level which seemed fine, and then I took the bike on a couple of longer runs, and all the milky oil turned normal again.

I was shitting myself a bit at first for the same reason as you, but it was just condensation.
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fiery tupp · Trackday Trickster Joined: 24 May 2010 Karma :

Yeh, I took mine out for a 5 mile run , when it was about - 5 .when I fired it up the next day , it pissed about half a pint of water out of the exhaust drain hole, checked dipstick & it had water on it .
So , went for a brisk 25 miles run that day to boil it off . Then spent about 2 days thawing out.

Just starting them up in freezing weather for 10 mins or so , like a lot do & short trips , can do more harm than good Neutral

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Tom_B1H · Nova Slayer Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Karma :

Thanks for the replies Thumbs Up

i'll take it out tomorrow
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Tom_B1H · Nova Slayer Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Karma :

Just took the bike on a 60 mile round trip and the "Mayo" is no more.
Thanks guys
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Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

If it comes back then the water pump gasket is also a possibility - like one of the crankcase cover gaskets. My old SV did this, a really hard ride on a hot day cleared the mayo but then it would come back. The leak was tiny and I didn't use it much so I wasn't seeing a drop in the coolant level. New RH crankcase cover fixed the problem.

Crankcase cover gaskets fail more easily than head gaskets, particularly if someone has taken the cover off and not replaced the gasket.