milky/yellow oil after a valve job

quanttrom · March 28th, 2012, 10:31 PM

So I had the bike parked and I was working(valve job) on it on and off for about 2 weeks.

This is my first valve job and I am wondering if I messed something up.

After putting the whole thing back together, I filled the fluids back up and ran it for a bit. Looked at the oil again and .....

I never split the head from the block so I doubt water is getting in the oil...but at this point I am scared...

I am suspecting 2 things
1) Moly grease that I used as assembly lube but that was mixed 10:1 as per the Kawi SM is being washed off into the oil and hence the change in color
2) Some condensation ?? since the bike sat without fluids for about 2 weeks?

I am buying a new oil filter tomorrow and gonna put in fresh oil and hope for the best. Any advice or possible leads would be awesome right about now ..

quanttrom · March 28th, 2012, 10:41 PM

I should probably also add that when I started the job the weather was +20C(68F) and now it's hovering around 0C(32F)

headshrink · March 28th, 2012, 10:41 PM

Yikes! That looks like retrograde ejaculation to me. You'll need to have your prostate checked.

As far as your bike, could you have gotten coolant in there?

quanttrom · March 28th, 2012, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headshrink

Yikes! That looks like retrograde ejaculation to me. You'll need to have your prostate checked.

As far as your bike, could you have gotten coolant in there?

if there is coolant/water inthere, I didn't put it in...

EDIT:
hmm
"Small amounts of water can give an oil a caramel color while more water will give it a milky, Irish-cream appearance." http://www.machinerylubrication.com/...103/cloudy-oil

alex.s · March 29th, 2012, 12:19 AM

i think you stuck your probe in the wrong hole

Jiggles · March 29th, 2012, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headshrink

Yikes! That looks like retrograde ejaculation to me. You'll need to have your prostate checked.

I LOL'd in my pants

quanttrom · March 29th, 2012, 06:58 AM

:P no I didn't stick anything into anything :P

cbdallas · March 29th, 2012, 07:02 AM

When you say 'valve job', what are you referring to? Valve clearance? Any 'valve job' I'm familiar with requires that you take the head off.

quanttrom · March 29th, 2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbdallas

When you say 'valve job', what are you referring to? Valve clearance? Any 'valve job' I'm familiar with requires that you take the head off.

Sorry yeah, valve clearance and adjustment. I just removed the cams, removed the buckets, replaced the shims and put everything back together.

cbdallas · March 29th, 2012, 07:14 AM

Well, I've never seen condensation produce that much slimy oil, and condensation usually produces white goo. The fact that it's yellow-green tells me that quite a quantity of coolant got into your oilpan, but the question is how.

What I would do: Fill the radiator to the top, and fill the overflow bottle to the full line. While you're in the radiator, check to see if you see anything oily floating on top.

Go buy 4 bottles of Pennzoil, or some other cheap dino 10W-40, and 2 filters. Change the oil, ride it around the block, and change it again. After a short ride, if the yellow goo re-appears, you have a problem. I just don't know if its with your water pump, or your head gasket. A compression test will normally tell you if the head gasket is bad. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but if the shaft seal in the water pump fails, this can also introduce coolant into the oil, and vice-versa.

quanttrom · March 29th, 2012, 07:26 AM

Thanks cbdallas!!

It seems like my best option at the current point in time is to get some some oil and filters like you said and see if the condition persists... I sincerely hope it's just condensation that somehow got washed into the oil and mixed up !

drvr5 · March 29th, 2012, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbdallas

A compression test will normally tell you if the head gasket is bad.

Another go/no-go test for head gasket- When you fire the bike up from stone cold, check the water hoses for pressure immediately. *sometimes* a head gasket leak will pressurize the coolant system immediately on cold start, if it does that is pretty much a guaranteed indicator. This is a good 10 second check, it does *not* give an affirmative "the head gasket is OK" but it will give a solid "the head gasket is toast." and can save some diagnosis time.

My bet would be condensation- but I'd be very cautious about it. Looks like you're on the right path, GL!

choneofakind · March 29th, 2012, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

i think you stuck your probe in the wrong hole

LoD575 · March 29th, 2012, 04:19 PM

Another way to determine coolant leak is to pressure test the system.
Very common method to check for coolant leaks in any sealed cooling system.

Similar to what drvr5 describes but not requiring the bike to start.

quanttrom · March 29th, 2012, 08:58 PM

I filled her up with fresh oil and a new oil filter and let her idle for a bit. I didn't see any change in the color of the oil. I let her come up to temp and all seemed fine and dandy.

I revved her up on the stand but wasn't able to take her out because it was quite late by that point ...

I have high hopes at this point ! no more probes in funny places

quanttrom · March 30th, 2012, 09:15 PM

Took her out for a short spin around the neighborhood today. I started with some moderate slow riding, then checked the oil and it seemed fine.

I then went for a bit harsher acceleration running her to redline on first gear a couple of times. I didn't take her for a long highway ride or anything.

When I stopped right after my second ride the oil had some bubbles in it. 10-20 seconds later they were all gone and the oil was good. No discoloration , no milkyness, no bubbles.

Should I be worried about the bubbles shorty after shutting off the engine?

drvr5 · March 30th, 2012, 09:25 PM

I'm not bold enough to say no problem without seeing it with my own eyes, but some bubbling is normal. The oil gets aerated during normal use, so some bubbles are expected. If it is truly worrisome to you, take it to a mechanic and have it final checked. Shouldn't bee hardly any cost, if they bother to charge at all.
Posted via Mobile Device

quanttrom · March 30th, 2012, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drvr5

I'm not bold enough to say no problem without seeing it with my own eyes, but some bubbling is normal. The oil gets aerated during normal use, so some bubbles are expected. If it is truly worrisome to you, take it to a mechanic and have it final checked. Shouldn't bee hardly any cost, if they bother to charge at all.
Posted via Mobile Device

I would need to have the mechanic right at the door waiting for me :P 30 seconds later and oil appears normal.

I feel reasonably at ease right now. I will do another oil flush, just because I have the extra oil and will closely monitor it after every ride!

I will also flush the coolant just in case.

Thanks to everybody who replied with tips and suggestions !!! Thank you for the support !

KELPHYN · March 30th, 2012, 11:39 PM

I'd say your fine. Your motor was open for 2wks with huge temperature swings, high humidity(melting snow) you would get lots of condensation in your motor, unless it was in a heated shop. Then I would think a little about a leak.

kenji_808 · March 31st, 2012, 12:21 AM

you had coolant mixed in with your oil

When you take off the valve cover, you have the coolant pipe on the rear side of the cover.
And when you take the pipe off it'll leak some coolant into your head and if you dont clean it all out you'll taint your oil with it.

Thats why you should change oil after your valve clearance check.

quanttrom · March 31st, 2012, 12:10 PM

The thing is... I never took that coolant pipe off...

headshrink · March 31st, 2012, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quanttrom

The thing is... I never took that coolant pipe off...

You may not have, but you MAY have accidentally pulled it up a bit when you were manipulating the valve cover. That is how I got coolant in mine. Mine was obvious, as it came all the way off. But I wonder if yours just came a little unseated and coolant may have seeped.

choneofakind · March 31st, 2012, 03:11 PM

You can replace the o-ring on the coolant pipe with the little o-ring that comes with an oil filter. I read that somewhere on faq.ninja250.org, but can't remember which page it was...

quanttrom · March 31st, 2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headshrink

You may not have, but you MAY have accidentally pulled it up a bit when you were manipulating the valve cover. That is how I got coolant in mine. Mine was obvious, as it came all the way off. But I wonder if yours just came a little unseated and coolant may have seeped.

Very possible..true....

Either way, I just did another flush, took her our for a rip. Did another 6km. The oil still has some small bubbles after stopping but it definitely does not get milky and it's all fine and dandy

headshrink · March 31st, 2012, 04:39 PM

Yup, your probably good.

March 28th, 2012, 10:41 PM	#3
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	Yikes! That looks like retrograde ejaculation to me. You'll need to have your prostate checked. As far as your bike, could you have gotten coolant in there? __________________________________________________ Honda Interceptor VFR800 DLX (2014, 8th gen) Honda CBR500r (2014) - FOR SALE Kawi Ninja 250r (2008) - Restored and passed-down within family, only to be abandoned

March 29th, 2012, 12:19 AM	#5
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	i think you stuck your probe in the wrong hole __________________________________________________

March 31st, 2012, 04:39 PM	#25
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	Yup, your probably good. __________________________________________________ Honda Interceptor VFR800 DLX (2014, 8th gen) Honda CBR500r (2014) - FOR SALE Kawi Ninja 250r (2008) - Restored and passed-down within family, only to be abandoned

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March 28th, 2012, 10:41 PM	#2
quanttrom ninjette.org member Name: QUANT Location: Canada Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r Posts: 176	I should probably also add that when I started the job the weather was +20C(68F) and now it's hovering around 0C(32F)

March 29th, 2012, 06:58 AM	#7
quanttrom ninjette.org member Name: QUANT Location: Canada Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r Posts: 176	:P no I didn't stick anything into anything :P

March 29th, 2012, 07:02 AM	#8
cbdallas ninjette.org guru Name: Charlie Location: Wylie, TX Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R Posts: 317	When you say 'valve job', what are you referring to? Valve clearance? Any 'valve job' I'm familiar with requires that you take the head off.

March 29th, 2012, 07:14 AM	#10
cbdallas ninjette.org guru Name: Charlie Location: Wylie, TX Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R Posts: 317	Well, I've never seen condensation produce that much slimy oil, and condensation usually produces white goo. The fact that it's yellow-green tells me that quite a quantity of coolant got into your oilpan, but the question is how. What I would do: Fill the radiator to the top, and fill the overflow bottle to the full line. While you're in the radiator, check to see if you see anything oily floating on top. Go buy 4 bottles of Pennzoil, or some other cheap dino 10W-40, and 2 filters. Change the oil, ride it around the block, and change it again. After a short ride, if the yellow goo re-appears, you have a problem. I just don't know if its with your water pump, or your head gasket. A compression test will normally tell you if the head gasket is bad. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but if the shaft seal in the water pump fails, this can also introduce coolant into the oil, and vice-versa.

March 29th, 2012, 07:26 AM	#11
quanttrom ninjette.org member Name: QUANT Location: Canada Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r Posts: 176	Thanks cbdallas!! It seems like my best option at the current point in time is to get some some oil and filters like you said and see if the condition persists... I sincerely hope it's just condensation that somehow got washed into the oil and mixed up !

March 29th, 2012, 04:19 PM	#14
LoD575 ninjette.org sage Name: Steve Location: Valdosta GA, US Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 2006 Ninja ZX6R-636 Posts: 661	Another way to determine coolant leak is to pressure test the system. Very common method to check for coolant leaks in any sealed cooling system. Similar to what drvr5 describes but not requiring the bike to start.

March 30th, 2012, 09:15 PM	#16
quanttrom ninjette.org member Name: QUANT Location: Canada Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r Posts: 176	Took her out for a short spin around the neighborhood today. I started with some moderate slow riding, then checked the oil and it seemed fine. I then went for a bit harsher acceleration running her to redline on first gear a couple of times. I didn't take her for a long highway ride or anything. When I stopped right after my second ride the oil had some bubbles in it. 10-20 seconds later they were all gone and the oil was good. No discoloration , no milkyness, no bubbles. Should I be worried about the bubbles shorty after shutting off the engine?

March 30th, 2012, 09:25 PM	#17
drvr5 ninjette.org member Name: Carl Location: Phoenix, AZ Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 250 Green+Black Special Edition Posts: 19	I'm not bold enough to say no problem without seeing it with my own eyes, but some bubbling is normal. The oil gets aerated during normal use, so some bubbles are expected. If it is truly worrisome to you, take it to a mechanic and have it final checked. Shouldn't bee hardly any cost, if they bother to charge at all. Posted via Mobile Device

March 30th, 2012, 11:39 PM	#19
KELPHYN ninjette.org guru Name: Calvin Location: Quesnel, B.C Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R (sold), 2013 300SE Posts: 276	I'd say your fine. Your motor was open for 2wks with huge temperature swings, high humidity(melting snow) you would get lots of condensation in your motor, unless it was in a heated shop. Then I would think a little about a leak.

March 31st, 2012, 12:21 AM	#20
kenji_808 ninjette.org member Name: Justin Location: Ewa Beach, HI Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 CT Blue 250R(Sold), 2008 Black & Silver Honda CBR600RR(Current) Posts: 201	you had coolant mixed in with your oil When you take off the valve cover, you have the coolant pipe on the rear side of the cover. And when you take the pipe off it'll leak some coolant into your head and if you dont clean it all out you'll taint your oil with it. Thats why you should change oil after your valve clearance check.

March 31st, 2012, 12:10 PM	#21
quanttrom ninjette.org member Name: QUANT Location: Canada Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r Posts: 176	The thing is... I never took that coolant pipe off...

March 31st, 2012, 03:11 PM	#23
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	You can replace the o-ring on the coolant pipe with the little o-ring that comes with an oil filter. I read that somewhere on faq.ninja250.org, but can't remember which page it was...