Milky oil in the sightglass *Resolved and pics added*

[macgart]

I think I'm screwed!  I took a glance at my sight glass today and noticed very milky oil.  I just added a bit of oil a couple of weeks ago so I know it's recent.  My 99 Girley has had the head gasket replaced a couple of years ago so I suspect it's failed again.  There is no external leakage but I do notice that there is a some darkening of the dust around mid-section of the right cylinder.  

Any chance I am guessing wrong?  I'm wishing it could just be a water pump seal but ....

As I recall this is a really expensive repair at a shop and I don't know if I have the tool and skills to attempt it myself.

Any suggestions?

I've already dove into the Jameson bottle for solace.

[Mustang]

milky white froth y stuff ?

you can't ride it like that if the coolannt  is getting in .....it will eat the rod bearings in no time flat .

don't be scared head gasket is easy to do .

but drain the oil into a container and let it sit , you'll know quick enough it's coolant contaminated , it will seperate

and has the coolant level gone down?

[macgart]

Yes the coolant level has dropped a bit.  I noticed that a week or so ago but just didn't give it much thought because the temp is usually high teens to low twenties when I leave for work in the mornings.  

I had planned to leave this morning for a 5 day ride.  Really glad I checked my oil level before leaving.  

I'll have to tackle it myself since I cannot afford to hire it done.  

I am going to drain and flush the contaminated oil today so it doesn't have a chance to eat anything.

Thanks Mustang.

[macgart]

I drained my oil to replace with fresh but the oil just looks black.  When I look into the oil fill hole I can see the milky oil on the clutch but there was nothing really noticeable in the waste oil or filter.  ????

I ran the engine for about 5 minutes before draining to heat the oil as well.

More to follow...

My wife took off with my bike keys so I'm in a holding pattern at the moment.

[macgart]

Here's some photos
<a><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/7100452837_3b0495f322_z.jpg" width="640" height="361" alt="View into oil fill"></a>
This is after I replaced the oil.  You can see the milky colored oil on the outside.

<a><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/7100452771_d19b0a7a42_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Sightglass"></a>
Sightglass

<a><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/7100452791_7b2fd06f5f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Drained oil"></a>
Drained Oil

<a><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/6954384506_9fec4dfa7a_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Bike with freshly drained oil 1"></a>
Bike and freshly drained oil

<a><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6954384524_a395a8654c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Bike with freshly drained oil 2"></a>
Bike and freshly drained oil

<a><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5323/6954384556_1177b55394_z.jpg" width="640" height="383" alt="bottom of oil drain pan"></a>
Bottom of oil drain pan

After refilling the oil I rode around the block but the milky sightglass didn't change.  I can see that the milky colored oil stays on the outside of the clutch when I look in through the oil fill hole.

[Bixxer Bob]

This could well be frothing due to repeated short runs not allowing the engine to heat up, so any condensation ends up in the oil.  You'll need to flush it with flushing oil to get rid of the crud or wait till it cleans up through repeated use.  The answer of course is to take her for regular long rides, or at least long enough to get everything properly hot for a few minutes.

This theory, of course, ignores the drop in coolant level.  If you are still losing coolant then things do look somewhat darker..... :roll:

[macgart]

Thanks Bixer.  I noticed a coolant level drop about a month ago (when cold it is about 1/2" or so below the cold level in the reservoir.  It has stayed the same though.  

Great point about the repeated short rides.  I commute about 6 miles one way to work every day.  It is usually very cold in the mornings so condensation seems logical.  

I'm feeling much better about the whole thing since changing the oil.  I think I'll take her for a longer ride today and monitor the situation.  

Thanks for the comments.

[PeteH]

Thanks Bixer.  I noticed a coolant level drop about a month ago (when cold it is about 1/2" or so below the cold level in the reservoir.  It has stayed the same though.

Best to fill it between the upper and lower level markings, that way you can keep an eye it. Agree with Bob about the short runs too, get the engine up to temperature and the emulsified crud will mixed up with your fresh oil :shock:  :)

Oh...good to see you got the best colour

[macgart]

Now I'm into the Jameson to celebrate!  After a good run to get up to full operating temp all is well again.  Major panic attack for nothing!  Thanks for the tips and reassurance guys.

<a><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8024/7104575997_ec63d19232_z.jpg" width="640" height="320" alt="Tiger by the pond"></a>
A brief stop on the side of the road.

<a><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6958506304_06f2530190_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Greenville Mine Road 1"></a>
A short section of the old jeep road I was riding where I could actually stop for a photo.

<a><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/6958506244_414d520f02_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Greenville Mine Road 2"></a>
And another.  Nothing like a steep rocky and rutted out road to get the old girl up to proper operating temp.


<a><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7093/7104575803_71ae9e0a5f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Tiger on the trail"></a>
I encountered a group of jeepers here when one gashed a tire on a downed tree.  They were all interested in the bike and surprised that such a big bike was up there.  Some of the peg deep ruts in the road were a  bit dodgy.  The Anakees do pretty well on the dirt.

[NZDeano]

I had the exactly same experience with my Moto Guzzi. I live in a place that gets very cold & damp around winter. I went to do a valve clearance and on a guzzi this involves rocker covers off. These were thickly covered in "smeg"  and I thought I had f...d it, then I realised it was air cooled and how could water get in. The oil seems to absorb a certain amount out of the air in that type of cold enviroment and anything but a good hot run in winter will cause this problem where it condenses off but dosent burn off. I had a wee tipple celebration as well.