Was reading in the shop manual about how condensation appears in the oil in the bike during the warm up cycle...... but if warmed up all the way, the condensation goes away due to operating temps. IF, bike is not allowed to reach full operating temp, then the condensation mixes with oil and makes sludge which is very bad for moving parts. A big example of this is when people just start their bikes in the driveway because they haven't ridden in awhile and they think they need to let the bike idle awhile then put it back in the garage.

Okay, now I am getting to my question....

I commute to work during the week and the distance is very short. ( it is just 4 miles from door to door) Just how much riding, or miles, need to be done before the bike is us up to full operation temp...and then....how long after that before the condensation is burned off?

The outside temp surely will make a difference in warm up time...I am here in N.CA which means no freezing temps......cold weather in the 40s...summer in the 80s and up.

Thanks in advance

 

Don't know the answer, but I'd like to. Subscribed.

 

When it is cold I do not ride to work.I have a short distance like you.When I had to I would let the bike warm up for 6 minutes got to work and let idle another six minutes before going home,still had condensation on oil fill cap.Spent longer idling than riding.Wait for the weekend and ride a couple of hours with the right gear and you will be warm and not hurt your bike.

 

Of course...I could just leave out earlier and come home later with a "detour"

But seriously....would like to know from those who know

 

It mainly affects the oil when the temperatures are below freezing. Then if you ride, it's important to let the motor fully heat up to evaporate the water. I've ridden numerous times below 32 degrees without problems. If you ride a lot in cold weather, it might also be wise to change the oil more frequently. If you're riding only in temps above 40 degrees, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

This may help:

What is the white stuff under my oil cap??

You take the cap off of your valve cover to top off your oil or fill the crank case after an oil change and discover to your horror that there is some sort of white milky or creamy stuff coating the underside of the oil cap and down into the filler hole.


So what is this white stuff and what is it doing in my oil system?

In most cases the white sludge is moisture. The real question is how did moisture get in your engine. Determining how the moisture got into the engine will tell you whether this is nothing to worry about or if it's something more serious. Causes can range from condensation from weather changes to a blown head gasket.

Condensation in the Oil System

This is more common than you might think. A weather change from warm, moist weather to cold weather or repeated frost (condensation) on the vehicle and frequent high dew points can create moisture to form in the crankcase. This can appear as condensation in the oil system and under the valve covers. Most of the time vehicles are driven long and far enough so that this condensation is burned off thanks to the heat of the engine. However a vehicle that is not driven very far and does not reach full running temperature for very long may not purge out the moisture. Vehicles that are not driven frequently and sit outside can also acquire moisture in the oil system. When these vehicles are driven, the engine generates some heat during the short drive, then cools. The trapped moisture condensates on the coolest part of the engine, the valve cover and oil cap. Repeated short trips will leave behind more and more moisture on these cooler parts. You then open the cap and discover this milky white buildup of creamy mocha colored slim.

Is this condensation harmful?

If this is indeed condensation caused from a weather change or infrequent use, then typically it is nothing to worry about. The key is to check your dip stick and exhaust. If you see beads of moisture on the dipstick and white smoke coming out of the exhaust of a warm engine, this can indicate a head gasket leaking coolant into the oil system, which is not good. If this is the case, see a mechanic to determine if you do have a more serious problem. A coolant system pressure test can help to get answers. However if you see no moisture on the dip stick and a clean, clear exhaust gas coming out of a warm engine, then it may be just be condensation on the metal surfaces of the crankcase and valve covers and oil cap. Try to wipe it off the cap and out of the filler tube and check it again in a few days. If it is condensation, it is generally minimal moisture in the system and heat can help burn off and purge this moisture.

Other causes of moisture in the engine

Cleaning an engine with a high pressure spray is a good way to force moisture into the seals, under the oil cap and into places where moisture shouldn't be. Use caution when cleaning an engine. Use low pressure and be careful not to spray directly at your seals or inlets like the oil cap, power steering fluid cap, transmission dip stick and air intake. Moisture in these areas can do more harm than good. Dirt on the outside of an engine does far less harm than moisture in the engine.

 

My oil temp during Fl cooler months will barely hit 200 deg in 20 mi of open road driving. In summer heat it's at least 12 mi for a 200 deg reading. I do not run an oil cooler. Il like to see oil temps of at least 230 deg to burn off contaminants.

 

I really don't have time to worry about that sort of crap. I mean what are you going to do, plan your rides based on how long it takes to burn off the condensation in your oil.

 

In 80ş outside temp it took over 35 to 40 minutes to come up to operating temp of 185ş.

I have an oil temp gauge. From Gallaway , tn to Memphis, tn at 50 mph.

 

haha kinda funny how you buy this cool motorcycle to ride and be free etc,etc,etc then find yourself worrying about the most minute and trivial things.

One may have had more freedom riding in 4 wheels, never worrying about crap like this.

I would have expected most riders to be of the romantic type but I find alot of people on this board are more classical (worrying) by nature.