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Oil very black

  • Thread starter Thread starter Potts4
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Potts4

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Hey all,

I have been working on a 1979 GS1000E that was given to me as a gift. It was far from running as it was missing lots of parts. I found all the parts from various locations, web sites, friends and with the use of this forum got it on the road and it has been running well all summer and I'm having a ball with it. So this was my first total overhaul of a bike so go easy on me. I'm planning on changing the piston rings this winter because the oil was turning jet black very quickly. Is this the right thing to do, or is there something else I should be changing? The pistons are in good shape and the sleeves don't seem to have any defects that I can see. Oh ya... compression was about 110-130 which is kind of low.
 
Last edited:
If the engine is already apart, yes, change the rings. Personally, I wouldn't pull down and engine just because the oil was turning black. I'd check compression and let that be the judge of the rings condition.

when changing rings the cylinder should be bottle-brush honed with a 320 grit hone (240 grit will work also). And assemble with OE gaskets, not aftermarket unless you want to gamble on a leak.

Good luck
 
Have you done a compression or leak down test? Start there if you're concerned with condition of rings and/or valves.
 
Sorry, you guys are to quick. I edited my message to include that the compression test reviled 110-130 psi depending on the cylinder. Valve stem seals have been replaced before I put it on the road.
 
Is 32.99 to much for a set of rings? Of course I will buy 4 sets....
 
Was it dirty from the first oil change or is it happening on all of them? I know my oil (bike was sitting 10 years) was black in less than 100 miles from cleaning up the nice film of sludge that formed when the bike sat for 10 years.

-Dave
 
Drop the bottom pan and see if you have sludge built up on it.My 81GS650E would do the same thing till I cleaned that.
 
Engine oil pan was clean, and this has happened on every oil change. I have been using the same oil every time, maybe its time for a change. If I were to buy new piston rings would you recommend OEM or OS 0.5 or OS 1.0??
 
What do you mean same oil, the same brand and viscosity, or your draining the oil, and reusing it, boy I hope not, and I am just misreading, what you wrote
 
Bad rings won't cause black oil. They'll cause oil smoke from the exhaust and excessive oil usage, loss of power as well. Good detergent oil and dirty innards will cause black oil. If you're not using oil excessively, and otherwise the bike is running well, it's a lot of trouble to get into for something that doesn't need fixing.
Remember, the tranny runs in that oil too, so there are a lot of places for the oil be cleaning dirt out.
 
I think you are over thinking the problem. If it is running fine? just ride it. If the motor had a sludge buildup internal it may take 4-5 oil changes to clean it out if at all. WHat type of oil are you using ?
 
I had the engine completely apart before it was running and you could eat off of the internal parts and casing. I'm using Castrol 10W-40 and yes it's brand new oil everytime hahaha
 
Potts4 said:
I had the engine completely apart before it was running and you could eat off of the internal parts and casing. I'm using Castrol 10W-40 and yes it's brand new oil everytime hahaha
Click to expand...
You had it torn all the way down and didn't do the rings?:confused: If I have an engine apart that far rings get done, then I don't have to worry about them. How many miles have you put on it since reassembly?
 
I've used caster oil in the past and noticed the same thing that the oil seems to get dark or blacker then other oils. I would switch oils try the Shell Rotella T oil. I would not tear the motor down for black oil unless you have oil smoke. Also these old work horses we love so much will burn a little oil when they get heated up . My Gs 1000 G will use about 1/2 qt every 1500 miles
 
Greetings and Salutations!!

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Potts4,

Let me dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'. :D

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.
big_hi.gif


If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....
hat1.gif


Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

carpet.jpg


Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike! :D

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed. I will put you on my prayer list.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Potts4 said:
I had the engine completely apart before it was running and you could eat off of the internal parts and casing. I'm using Castrol 10W-40 and yes it's brand new oil everytime hahaha
Click to expand...

The UK variety Castrol is good for motorcycles, but not the US/EPA mandated (reduced zinc/phosphorus) version. Get some diesel oil.:D
 
oversize rings are for oversize pistons. standard ring on standard piston. Just paid 29 and change for mine from cheap cycle parts.com, good price but they are draggin ass getting them here
 
matt1100 said:
oversize rings are for oversize pistons. standard ring on standard piston. Just paid 29 and change for mine from cheap cycle parts.com, good price but they are draggin ass getting them here
Click to expand...

What bike? More info please.
 
It's an air cooled engine, oil turns black quicker than it does in a Toyota. Looser clearances, less constant temperatures, we tend to wring the schitt out of bike engines a lot more often, the clutch is in the same oil as the engine, the transmission gears chew up the oil molecules, and some other technical reasons I can't think of right now....
It's just the way it is, the oil turns black.
The lubrication is still working, go out and ride it fast enough that you can't think so much.
 
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