Rear end oil - Milky ?

Canadian FJR · Nov 25, 2012

I just got back from a quick end of season ride and drained the engine oil and rear end oil. The rear end oil was very milky, kind of cream/brown color. After 179,000 km it is the first time I have seen this - any suggestions?

Canadian FJR

RossKean · Nov 25, 2012

Canadian FJR said:
I just got back from a quick end of season ride and drained the engine oil and rear end oil. The rear end oil was very milky, kind of cream/brown color. After 179,000 km it is the first time I have seen this - any suggestions?

Canadian FJR

Milky = Water. (water/oil emulsion)

Excessive riding in the rain, running through DEEP puddles, or washing with a pressure washer? The pumpkin has a vent to atmosphere so I guess water could find its way inside. I would change it out, run a couple hundred km and change it again. Its been reported here before but I don't recall if anyone found a root cause.

johnny80s · Nov 25, 2012

I agree. Water in the oil.

Canadian FJR · Nov 25, 2012

I'll try and post some pics tomorow. I've always run in the rain and wash the bike a lot (no pressure washer) but I agree that it does look like water contamination. I'll put some fresh juice in for winter and then do a quick change after a few miles next spring.

Canadian FJR

huron52 · Nov 25, 2012

I have to agree with the idea of water and oil mix. How often do you change the oil back there?

Canadian FJR · Nov 25, 2012

I put fresh Yama juice in every fall before I put it away and run it for the season, never had a problem before.

Canadian FJR

Fairlaner · Nov 25, 2012

Canadian FJR said:
I put fresh Yama juice in every fall before I put it away and run it for the season, never had a problem before.

Canadian FJR

ALL SEASON!!!!! you deserve to have water in there.......maybe it is your head gasket.... :dribble: :dribble:

FYI i change mine when i change my engine oil every 3K and i have never seen water in mine.

R

Bungie · Nov 25, 2012

I'm agreeing with Fairlaner here. This is just so ridiculously easy to do their isn't any reason not to do it at every oil change. It's not like a good synth loob is expensive. Okay, captain obvious statement over with.

Now the question is, just how long has it been like that.

escapefjrtist · Nov 25, 2012

I'm with all y'all, probably way overkill but I change mine every oil change as well. $2 per change using Mobil-1 isn't much in the grand scheme of things.

--G

johnny80s · Nov 25, 2012

Fairlaner said:
Canadian FJR said:

I put fresh Yama juice in every fall before I put it away and run it for the season, never had a problem before.

Canadian FJR

Click to expand...

ALL SEASON!!!!! you deserve to have water in there.......maybe it is your head gasket.... :dribble: :dribble:

FYI i change mine when i change my engine oil every 3K and i have never seen water in mine.

R

Thats cause you are mr rich guy. Changing oil at 3k. Holy shit what a waste.

Fairlaner · Nov 26, 2012

johnny80s said:
Fairlaner said:

Canadian FJR said:

I put fresh Yama juice in every fall before I put it away and run it for the season, never had a problem before.

Canadian FJR

Click to expand...

ALL SEASON!!!!! you deserve to have water in there.......maybe it is your head gasket.... :dribble: :dribble:

FYI i change mine when i change my engine oil every 3K and i have never seen water in mine.

R

Click to expand...

Thats cause you are mr rich guy. Changing oil at 3k. Holy shit what a waste.

Maybe i should start saving it for the GS....

R

Fred W · Nov 26, 2012

Normally water is found in the engine oil, not the final drive. And in that case it is always alarming because it signals a head gasket leak.

In the final drive, I can't think of any seal failures that would result in water getting in but no lube leaking out. I'd have to say that it was probably something that you did while washing it, which we know you do rather religiously. In the future just keep the hose stream away from that vent dealio on top of the pumpkin. I'm sure it will be OK.

Canadian FJR · Nov 26, 2012

Thanks for the replies. Just as an FYI, the manual does not call for rear end oil change until around 25,000 km or every 2 years..........I'm well within that period. Is there a simple method to confirm if this is water mixed with the oil? On another thought, could a blocked or semi blocked vent cause this? Is there a way to clean this vent?

Canadian FJR

RossKean · Nov 26, 2012

Canadian FJR said:
Thanks for the replies. Just as an FYI, the manual does not call for rear end oil change until around 25,000 km or every 2 years..........I'm well within that period. Is there a simple method to confirm if this is water mixed with the oil? On another thought, could a blocked or semi blocked vent cause this? Is there a way to clean this vent?

Canadian FJR

Other than chemical testing, you could take some of the contaminated oil and heat it up. Eventually, the water should be driven off leaving clear oil behind. Still don't think it could be anything other than water. A blocked vent wouldn't let any water in there but, on the other hand, a blocked vent might prevent any moisture (from condensation or a rain/washing event) from evaporating naturally once the drive gets heated up in spirited riding.

road runner · Nov 26, 2012

Once a year change is fine, and still more than needed. I do mine like that and it usually looks like new. As far as water, I wouldn't worry unless it was a lot. May have got in there from washing or stream crossing , heavy rain, etc.

Ask Mr Bill or S76 about the stream crossing last year. :lol:

Mr Bill · Nov 26, 2012

road runner said:
Ask Mr Bill or S76 about the stream crossing last year. :lol:

Some New Yorker sure didn't like this short cut to the next twisties in North Georgia. I'm sure any moisture taken in boiled off following you at triple digits.

I wonder if this EOM rider ever checked his final drive for mud?

Mr Bill · Nov 26, 2012

Canadian FJR said:
quick end of season ride

Have you been abusing the FJR and riding it like a Harley? You don't burn off any condensation with short rides across town to the bar ya know.

odot · Nov 26, 2012

I'd get an oil reclamation package and send a sample of it to amsoil. I'm sure they can help you out.....

RaYzerman19 · Nov 26, 2012

It's moisture contamination, either sprayed in or sucked in after you rode 'er hard and put 'er away wet, or short rides on dampish days where it didn't get up to operating temperature long enough..... no matter, no biggie if small amount. The breather on top is really an open path. Once a year change is my normal thing. I tried the two year change, didn't like the murky appearance of the oil.... every oil change is overkill IMHO.

Rear end oil - Milky ?

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