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ice on dip stick

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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 06:24 PM
  #1  
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Default ice on dip stick

just wondering if i had a problome or if its just because it winter. but i pulled my dip stick out and it had ice on it.
thanks
 
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 06:46 PM
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Default RE: ice on dip stick

It must be cold outside. Your engine oil has condensation on top and that is likely the cause. This will not harm anything if the bike is riden occasonally, and when riden for a 30 minutes or so, the condensation will burn off. Since the oil tank is not full, it has room for condensation to build up. This is one of the reasons when putting a bike (or car) in storage, it is wise to fill the tank and add Stabil or similar fuel additives.

Avoid the temptation to "start the bike" and run it for a few minutes, as that will actually lead to additional condensation build up. Hopefully you will have a chance to go for a ride soon and the problem will solve itself. If, after riding for 30 minutes and getting the engine up to full operating temp, the oil is "soupy" or foamy, do an oil change.
 
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 08:26 PM
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Default RE: ice on dip stick


Never seen ice on a dip stick before but would say YEA, IT'S BAD. I wouldn't even attempt to start it before I changed it! Nothing good can come from moisture blended with oil. I have seen creamy/foamy lubricant before when I hadto overhaul a 4 cyl engine and a rear axle, not fun...
 
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 09:12 PM
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Default RE: ice on dip stick

Actually I find this hard to believe. Water is heavier than oil, so any water would either be in the crankcase or very bottom of the Oil Tank. You pullin' our leg here?
 
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 09:16 PM
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Default RE: ice on dip stick

Water heaver; yes in a liquid state... But in a solid? I'm not sure.
 
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 09:19 PM
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Default RE: ice on dip stick

Kinda figgured it was water first, is my take on it.
 
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 09:20 PM
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Default RE: ice on dip stick

That is why water is colder the deeper you go yet it freezes from the surface downward. It does like a flip as it gets that cold.
Thermalsomethingoranother.
 
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 09:20 PM
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Default RE: ice on dip stick

Yep, was just thinking that; it would have to float to the top then freeze.... Oh well, a good mental exercise......
 
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 09:22 PM
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Default RE: ice on dip stick

Hum, water is the heaviest at 39 dF so it would rise before freezing.......
 
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Old Feb 17, 2007 | 09:42 PM
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Default RE: ice on dip stick

Thermocline, is what causes the Flip of the water. But that is in like lakes whatever. The water in a enclosure like a tank is going to be on the bottom of the Oil. In a engine, or Oil tank the volume of water to oil is not going to allow the water to float to the surface to freeze. IMHO
 
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