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White frothy oil in a air cooled engine

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Phil Draper, Apr 22, 2019.

  1. Phil Draper

    Phil Draper New Member

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    Hi my xj550 engine no. 5K6-021395 seems to be producing alot of frothy oil I've changed oil several times over the last few month's now had enough I had done a oil change last week went on a 30 mile ride out and again white frothy oil through the breather but also more oil then usual did fit a breather canister on the side to see if it would stop the issue can anyone help
     
  2. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Does the oil smell at all of gasoline?
    Is the bike parked outside often?
    Is the stock airbox fitted, and is the crankcase breather hooked up to it?
     
  3. Phil Draper

    Phil Draper New Member

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    I've not noticed any fuel smell.
    The bike has spent all winter outside with a flimsy cover.
    It has just air pods thinking on adding a modified airbox as original didn't fit.
    Crankcase breather is hooked up to a after market oil breather/filter
     
  4. jayrodoh

    jayrodoh YimYam Premium Member

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    How long are your rides? Air temps/humidity? White/milkshake in oil is usually water, with an air cooled engine it is most likely condensation. Short rides won't remove any condensation in the crank case. Any chance rain is getting in that aftermarket crankcase breather?
     
  5. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Sitting outside all winter will result in a lot more condensation. Having pods (two valves will always be open), and what I assume is a pod-type filter on the breather will let even more moisture in.
     
  6. Phil Draper

    Phil Draper New Member

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    not alot going right I have bought another cover which is better.
    The aftermarket breather is in a better position as originally I had just added a pod type filter on top of the crankcase.
    Will start going out for half day
     
  7. Phil Draper

    Phil Draper New Member

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    I think I have found why breather was pushing out oil after you said about fuel smell. I taken rocker cover off and checked valve clearances inlets had all been within spec but two of the exhaust valves had been lower then 13 thou.
    Been out for a short run this evening and things are looking promising.
    I did have spare valve shims.
    Many thanks
     
  8. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    A valve clearance being out of spec won't cause that problem. When the oil is bubbling out of the breather the usual cause is stuck (or failed) float needles. In your case I think that the likely culprit was rain getting in to the crankcase.
     
  9. a100man

    a100man Well-Known Member

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    What oil are you using? Did you spill any Cresta* into it ;-)

    * only folk growing up in 70s Britain will understand this..
     
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  10. SpearChucker

    SpearChucker Active Member

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    The lemon & lime would work! It's frothy man! :cool:

    I bet I haven't thought of that bear in 40 years.
     
  11. a100man

    a100man Well-Known Member

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    ..my pleasure;)
     
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  12. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    Sense the oil seems to be contaminated, just do a oil change and continue to be aware it could happen again. Bottom line getting a fresh oil change will get rid of the foam and make sure you don't have fuel or too much water contamination. Keep up your good scheduled maintenance and you will be good.
     
  13. Crankwalk

    Crankwalk Member

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    It looks like he is saying he has changed it several times and it keeps doing it.


    Longer rides and make sure it's not overfilled to the point it's foaming would be my suggestion.
     
  14. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, don't know how I missed reading the first line of the post...that is short term mem :)

    The water has to be coming in from weather through the PODs and or breather. Those pods and breather have to be made of something that really is sucking in the water if you have it covered up. If you do a oil change and don't see the water come out with the old oil. What other contaminate could it be? Maybe flushing the engine by replacing one of the quarts of oil with something other than the oil? I have not flushed a engine, maybe someone else can help out with the correct product.
     
  15. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Seafoam, which is mostly naptha.
     
  16. Colin 85 700

    Colin 85 700 Active Member

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    You are using the correct weight of oil, and one JASCO rased for motorcycles correct?
    Also have you dumped the filter cover? There could be water hiding in there...
     

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