Hi all

I have a quick question I hope forum can help answer.

I have noticed when checking the oil that I have white gunge in the filler cap. Also the oil sight glass is white. 

I thought water pump seal was dead, but it was only put in about 15000 miles ago.

I dumped oil out to see if any white gunge in oil but none. I checked expansion bottle and no oil in there.

One thing that has changed is since I started new job I only ride 3 miles to work. It sits all day and then ride back 3 miles. I know this is not ideal as it never gets warm enough.

I looked in where put oil in and can see white gunge on engine case.

I have not had any leaks from water pump area as other posts have suggested.

It this just too short journey and condensation. I did use a hairdryer on sight glass yesterday so I could see where oil was. It is back again today but not so thick.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The oil has only been in bike for 1000 miles and I plan to change it again in few weeks in spring. It is running mineral 10w 40 rock oil.

smoll1 wrote:One thing that has changed is since I started new job I only ride 3 miles to work. It sits all day and then ride back 3 miles. I know this is not ideal as it never gets warm enough.

There's your problem. I remember reading somewhere that it takes thirty miles for an engine to warm up enough to boil all the water out of the oil in a three-liter sump, so that's about 45 minutes for us non-motorway mortals.

I used to do a similar-length journey some twenty-plus years ago on a Moto Guzzi. To get around the emulsion problem I used to dump the oil every 1500 miles (2400 Kms).

You can get to B via C you know, especially when the weather gets better.

That'd be my cure for certain.

Yes true looking forward to warmer days so can ride home the long way.

I do plan dump oil out more regular.

Just worried that it might of been something else.

Interesting. 

I have been getting mixed messages from my sight glass recently. Not a whiteness, but not a obvious oil level like i'm used to. What's changed? A 37 mile each way daily commute for a 1.25mile each way commute. I am also getting indications of an oil leak (which I have never seen before) and my fuel economy has plummeted. I am now walking to work (and feeling good, in a horribly healthy, smug sort of way) and I feel that I am doing my bike s favour by not riding them on such short journeys. Went out for a longer ride, last weekend (300 or so miles) and all looks normal and bike pulled like a dream. 

So, yes, I agree with Dai - the short run is not doing your bike much good and Chris846 has the cure - take the the long way round!

Short journeys where the oil does not warm up are the death of any engine. That white stuff, when pulled through the oilways has no lubricating properties at all.
Same goes for people who start their bike up in the winter to warm the engine. They get the WATER temperature gauge to show that the engine is hot, but the OIL is still cold and getting moisture churned up in it.
Your oil is at its best at between 100 and 110c, the moisture will boil off at that temperature and the oil is thin enough to circulate easily. A mineral oil can be damaged over about 125c, but not a synthetic, (150c +).

Yes I agree. 

Short journey nightmare.

I used to commute 1hour and half and no problems.

Oh well at moment have no other choice.

Have to dump oil out more regular.

smoll1 wrote:Yes I agree. 

Short journey nightmare.

I used to commute 1hour and half and no problems.

Oh well at moment have no other choice.

Have to dump oil out more regular.

Or buy a cheap scooter for such a short commute.

Yes I thought about that had little Yamaha townmate years ago which would be ideal now.

Another question is it ok to using flushing oil in spring to clean engine out when I oil change?

Don't see any reason why not, but in my opinion it is a waste of money. 
If your intention is to get rid of the crap in the engine then just take it out for a long ride every now and then, that will burn any moisture out.

Ok thanks

Well hopefully the summer will come in uk soon