ER5 Emulsified oil ............ Then Not.??

[Nick_Giles]

Bit of a mystery here to me that others may be able to cast some light on for me. (Bit of a story but bare with me.)

On Sunday I had been out on my bike to a mate of mines who lives in Mobberley which is about 15 miles from me. On the way back the heavens opened with rain.

During the last mile or so of the journey the engine misfires a dozen or so times. Did not think too much of it and put it down to being an oldish bike and something electrical getting wet.

Sunday night and the weather forecast says it's going to be fine in the morning. I decide on a whim that I shall get up early and go and visit some friends in Abersoch, North Wales for a couple of days on the bike. So set off to a local garage to fill it with petrol ready for a good start in the morning.

Riding it there and back from the petrol station it does a few misfires again.! (not raining now)

Decide when I get back to also check the oil. ( which was changed about 200 miles ago with Castrol) ........... Horror of horrors the oil sight glass is full of emulsified oil.! ....... "Oh f()()k"

Its dark and I decide that perhaps its was not a good idea to ride it to Abersoch the following morning.

I spend the rest of the evening convincing myself at best its a water pump seal or worst a head gasket.

Morning time arrives and I decide its time to investigate. Start the bike and there is a little bit of white smoke. Not a lot but noticeable. So its off with the petrol tank (always fun on an ER5 at the best of times but I now have a full one. ) So I can check the coolant.

I am pleasantly surprised that the coolant is full. i.e. none appears to have been gobbled up into the engine. Restart the engine and give it some revs with the coolant filler cap off. It all stays in and does not flood out like it would do if it was being pressurised by a bad head gasket. (I know not a 100% test) While I have the side panels off I also check the air box. Its as clean as a virgins snatch.

I am now encouraged that the previous nights worries in my imagination are possibly unfounded. So I put the bike back together.

I then pull some oil from the sump with a syringe and a thin tube. Its clear and clean. But the sight glass is still caked emulsified oil.

I warm the bike properly and check the radiator is getting hot and the fan kicks in ok. Shrug my shoulders and decide to see how it goes.

Girlfriend then phones and asks can we go for a ride on 'That nice winding road' What she really means is a trip to the 'Cat and Fiddle' on the Horse Shoe Pass. Her on my old CG and me on the ER5. So we do.

When I get up there the oil and sight glass is super clear. And its been fine since.

So, what could have caused my original concern and are further investigations into possible doom and gloom required.?


Nick
____________________
Peter Cook: "I have learned from my mistakes, and I am sure I can repeat them exactly".

[Casper]

Could be a sign that something is about to go but fixed itself for a short time. Could be a loose spark plug and water getting in. How is the head? When i got my bike two or three head bolts were needing a good half turn as they worked themself loose. Do you have an oil cooler? check that for leaks. I have ridden in near monsoons and water managed to seep through good gaskets so check and tighten everything. Might have been a one off but keep an eye on it. Was it new oil you put in or a tub that had been sitting in your shed for a while?

[Pie-Roe]

If you've been doing lots of short trips water has built up in the oil, by doing a long trip up to proper temperatures, you've driven off all the water.
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[Taught2BCauti...]

When the weather is cool and the bike is used for short runs, the engine oil doesn't get hot enough to boil-off any condensation.

When the weather is warmer and the bike is used for longer runs, the engine oil can get to over 100 degrees - hot enough to boil-off any water that may have gotten in there.

Check your breather hoses, and any pipes that are neither fuel or water, going to carbs and air filter.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[jimspeed]

warm oil and cold air mixing to form condensation, my GPZ does the same (basically same engine) if I use it for work as its only 3 miles and the oil doesn't get hot enough, probly on your 15 mile trip in the rain you were going pretty steady with lowish revs so the engine wouldn't have got as hot.
unless you notice the coolant going anywhere I wouldn't worry too much mate.
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Hyosung cruise 125(passed test on, sold) Kawasaki el 252 (better than expected but sold on) Kawasaki GPZ500S first "big"bike.(sold) ZZR600 E5..Z750 2007,ER5, currently on a 2008 Enfield bullet electra x and loving it..
,"Alpha-9: Is there any correlation between dyno rod and dyno kits?"

[Nick_Giles]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I will just keep an eye on things for a few weeks.



Nick
____________________
Peter Cook: "I have learned from my mistakes, and I am sure I can repeat them exactly".

[TGB]

sounds like condensation in the gearbox very common. if the HG or water pump went you would know it. so dont worry about it.

[mysterious_rider]

Happens a lot with my zzr. Its full of white stuff on the window but after a good run she's clean as. Did an oil change a while back and it's all dandy.

Just take it for a good long spirited run.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]