1200GS what is that in the oil level glasshouse

[johnboy]

Hi all

Just checked my oil the evening and found some buff coloured gunk behind the oil level glass. Last time I saw something like that was when my mini blew a head gasket. Anyone got any good ideas of what and where it may have come from. A picture of the gunk should be below.

Thanks.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

It's a toothbrush............

Or, if not, then it looks a lot like emulsified oil - moisture in the oil from short trips and not getting up to enough of a sustained temp to burn off the moisture.

Andres

 

[ghiribizzo]

Same as when the mini head gasket went. Water vapour that's become an emulsion with the oil.
Had a lot of short runs and start/stops recently? Give it a long run and it'll move away.

 

[johnboy]

Thanks. Lots of short trips to work last week and then laid up over the weekend. So a longer trip is on the cards. I thought for one stupid moment that the head gasket must have gone -- the went duh you cannot afford the water cooled version!!

 

[Dustcap]

Just a query, how long is a long run and how long is a short run? Would half an hour be enough to get rid/prevent this or would it need to be 2 hours +???

DC

 

[King Key]

Now might be an idea to do an oil change if it hasn't been done in a while.

 

[johnboy]

My short runs are 5 miles to and from work. So very short!!

Just a query, how long is a long run and how long is a short run? Would half an hour be enough to get rid/prevent this or would it need to be 2 hours +???

DC

 

[johnboy]

Just competed 18 k but was hoping to stretch it to a combined annual service and the 18k but could be a false saving. Thanks for the prompt.

Now might be an idea to do an oil change if it hasn't been done in a while.

 

[Gossy]

There is no other explanation possible - it's Jesus appearing in the sight glass

 

[RideTheWind]

Give it a blast........

Mines the same. Winter riding its worse. Its only moisture. Take it for a 30 minute motorway blast and it will be fine.

 

[Rusty]

Without doubt that is short trip gunk ! Go out for an hour and get the engine hot enough for long enough to evaporate any moisture .. if you constantly do short journeys make sure you get out for that hour once a month and even better change that oil perhaps !

 

[Mad_Accountant]

Thrush

 

[ahutcheon]

Just a query, how long is a long run and how long is a short run? Would half an hour be enough to get rid/prevent this or would it need to be 2 hours +???

DC

If the sun's shining, feel free to tell the missus that some bloke on the internet said you need to ride to Glencoe and back (or equivalent, if you fancy somewhere else). That aside, it'll take more to get rid of it than to stop it coming back.

 

[TLSgazza]

Erm methinks that if the head gasket went you would not get water in the oil, they are aircooled.

 

[SteveM]

Thanks. Lots of short trips to work last week and then laid up over the weekend. So a longer trip is on the cards. I thought for one stupid moment that the head gasket must have gone -- the went duh you cannot afford the water cooled version!!

Erm methinks that if the head gasket went you would not get water in the oil, they are aircooled.

 

[TLSgazza]

Oh yeah, missed that one.

 

[Steptoe]

Remove your oil filler cap, does that have the same deposits ?.
If so also expect your rocker covers to be lined with the same "stuff".

 

[johnboy]

No its all clear at the top of the engine. Gunk has now disappeared following an hour ride last night made easy by the Les HID50s fitted a couple of weeks ago. Les was brilliant and fitting is very straighth forward once you start all the instructions fit into place. Make sure you have a good stock of 4 inch plastic ties - wonderful invention almost as good as ducktape.

Remove your oil filler cap, does that have the same deposits ?.
If so also expect your rocker covers to be lined with the same "stuff".

 

[birdseye]

My short runs are 5 miles to and from work. So very short!!

might be better for both you and the bike if you walked that short distance. will take you longer to get the gear on than walking it!

bit surprised by the extent of the gunge and also where it is. normally to be found in a high spot where water vapour rises and condenses. have yopu been using the bike in the floods? green lanes? part immersion? is the oil filler cap secure?

 

[OldCroc]

You could call it internal combustion engine cholesterol !!!