An Oil Thread

[scawein]

So I have tried to resolve the "don't ride your bike for short distances" problem.

The "Spooge" (Condensation buildup on the inside of the oil cap/dipstick)


I have tried to make a 'heating pill' to keep the oil hotter for longer: FAIL (50watts of heat, not enough)


I even tried to put heaters (12v/40watt x 2, like window defrosters) on the outside of the oil bag....FAIL

Nothing has been a winner yet.....well until now.
And the winner:


I have taken to opening the oil cap when I get to work. I also install that glowing red thing into my ignition as a reminder.

I simply took a tie wrap, looped it in and then cut it to the size you see. I crazy glued the cross piece in place. It fits very easily into my key slot and stows well under the seat.

Best to have this type of reminder to be sure I do not start the motor with the oil cap open, or even worse, drive off that way.

When I get to work (9 miles), I can see the slight buildup of condensation on the inside of the oil cap/dipstick. I set it in the opening but don't screw it in. I place a rag over it and put the seat back on. The condensation evaporates and I am good.

Kinda sux I need to do this in 2012, but for the 190x technology I 'love' sooooooooo much, I am willing to do it.

[8pack]

What type of oil are your running? It almost looks like it may have a paraffin base.

[scawein]

Originally Posted by 8pack

What type of oil are your running? It almost looks like it may have a paraffin base.

That's Mobil 1 Full Syn V-Twin 20-50.

I had not checked my oil for 3-4 weeks of just riding back and forth to work (18 miles) and there it was. Left the cap off for a few days and it evaporated away.....

Darn thing, short rides are just not long enough to 'burn off' the moisture. Some just go for a longer ride, but if I do that, I will use as much gas as if I had driven the Explorer...lmao

My FJR is water cooled so it does not care how long or short you run it, but the warrior is a bit temperamental that way. That's OK, I am too...lol

[Jbat]

very interesting, I too do many short rides each day and have wondered about that. I switched to the full synthetic Yamalube 15w50 and it seems to help, just not very much.

[Wildwest450]

18 miles should be plenty long enough for an air cooled engine. I do a lot of short rides to town and back (less than 20 miles) and have never had that problem...

[scawein]

Originally Posted by Wildwest450

18 miles should be plenty long enough for an air cooled engine. I do a lot of short rides to town and back (less than 20 miles) and have never had that problem...

9 miles each way, when I get to work, you can see the condensation on the cap.

I am in the Bay Area (San Jose, Ca) so I am sure the weather here has an effect.

This seems to be working. I usually ride the FJR but I am servicing it right now so in another week or so, the Warrior won't be ridden to work anyway....I like the longggggggg rides on the warrior.

[arizonawarrior]

Is there any chance maybe you might be making it worse by opening it up so often? I'm thinking that just one long ride will bake-off the moisture and if new moisture doesn't get in there maybe the goo would be less? Dunno, just wondering.

[scawein]

Originally Posted by arizonawarrior

Is there any chance maybe you might be making it worse by opening it up so often? I'm thinking that just one long ride will bake-off the moisture and if new moisture doesn't get in there maybe the goo would be less? Dunno, just wondering.

Not a sealed system....Each ride starts this way, if you don't ride long enough, condensation will still be there.....ride further, condensation gone.....

[iowawarrior]

Originally Posted by scawein

Not a sealed system....Each ride starts this way, if you don't ride long enough, condensation will still be there.....ride further, condensation gone.....

what about this, i forget what you call it but it's a one way valve thing that i thought does seal the system. it's supposed to create a negative pressure in the motor somehow, thereby giving you this, preventing that and insuring the other thing. arrgh. i can't find the picture. i know i have one. anyway, they were a big deal a few years back. spendy. it's a silver cyndrical thing with a red arrow on it and goes on a breather hose

[scawein]

Iowa....I will search for that and see if I can find it.

Thanks!!!

edited:
http://www.et-performance.com/kv.htm...CASE_BREATHERS

I will research this some.......maybe you have answered my question....nice....