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What color should the oil be?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DieMonkeys
  • Start date Start date
D

DieMonkeys

Guest
As of right now, when the engine is running the oil is the color of chocolate milk. I don't think that's good.

Perhaps this could contribute to my bike's limited runtime? As of right now it'll only run for a short period of time. For the first few minutes it runs great, revs as high as I let it go. After a few minutes it'll start chugging, won't rev past 3k rpm. A few minutes later it'll cough a few times then cut out.
 
Yikes

Yikes

Change the oil!!

You are doing irreversible (well not easily reversible) damage running it that way!

Ideally, the oil should look like it does when you pour it ou of the bottle. Sounds like you've got a bit of water in there, not good.
 
Your problem is not due to the oil...but the oil should not look like you describe. Sounds like you have a fuel supply issue.
 
Well...

Well...

In a car that would be a sure sign of water in your oil and a blown head gasket or cracked block. However you have an air-cooled motorcycle. Therefore your oil should be chartreuse with lime green stripes and smell like cotton candy. Kidding of course, I'm not sure what would cause that problem with your oil. I would definitely drain the oil and change the filter immediately if not sooner.
 
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The oil should look any different when the bike is running that it does in a bottle. Since its an air cooled engine, the only contaminant possible is gas in the oil. Thats about as good for the engine as it would be for you to put gas on your cornflakes in the morning. Ya get my drift? LOL Change IT! and the filter TOO!!!!

Earl
 
Alrighty then, I'll stop running the engine then until I can get some oil and a filter. I know they have them down the street at the Advance.

I guess the last guy before me left the bike outside all the time and it got rained on quite a bit.

How else could I solve the fuel delivery problem? I've shortened and tried to make the fuel line as straight to the carbs as possible. I've taken apart and cleaned the petcock. I'm positive I'm not mixing the vacuum and the fuel lines. And there is no inline fuel filter.
 
First off, confirm the problem is fuel supply related by running until it dies and opening the float bowl drains to see if there is any gas in there. Assuming no, start by seeing if you get full gas flow out of the petcock; move lever to prime and/or draw a vacuum on the suction line to see if that starts gas flow. Keep trying following a systematic process until you find the answer.
 
Oil Color Doesn't Matter

Oil Color Doesn't Matter

If you know for a fact that something external has contaminated the oil, then it should be changed. If the oil level hasn't risen due to a gas leak, this shouldn't be a concern.

The color of oil has nothing to do with its effectiveness as a lubricant. The only way to know whether oil needs to be changed is to have an oil analysis done. Since that is rarely done, changing by mileage, time or type of service is the next best thing. Note that no knowledgeable or reliable authority ever, anytime, anywhere says to change your oil when it is a certain color. Oil should look "dirty" when it's doing its job. Detergent oils will turn black from non-harmful suspended particles after a short time, and is perfectly serviceable regardless of color.

Since I appear to be the only one giving you this advice, do a Google search on "oil color" and see for yourself that concern about oil color is nothing but a myth.:)
 
Guyver said:
In a car that would be a sure sign of water in your oil and a blown head gasket or cracked block....
Click to expand...

earlfor said:
The oil should look any different when the bike is running that it does in a bottle. Since its an air cooled engine, the only contaminant possible is gas in the oil....

Earl
Click to expand...


Isn't it poosible that there's condensation in the oil possibly from multiple short trips or sitting outside all of the time?

If there is that much fuel in the oil you would most certainly be able to smell it in the oil. DieMonkeys, does the oil smell strongly of gas?
 
ScottMc1100L said:
Isn't it poosible that there's condensation in the oil possibly from multiple short trips or sitting outside all of the time?

If there is that much fuel in the oil you would most certainly be able to smell it in the oil. DieMonkeys, does the oil smell strongly of gas?
Click to expand...

If there is that much condensation in the engine, your crankcase vent is plugged. I find it doubtfull that the color is simply from condensation. This could be a spark issue. Are you getting spark to all 4 cyls? Is your exhasut smokey at all and smell of fuel?
 
Boondocks nailed it.

I'll add that all multi-grade oils turn dark after a few hundred miles, so again, color isn't important by itself.

Del
 
I wasnt saying blue oil is better than yellow oil. I was saying if your oil is frothy and looks like a chocolate shake, you have a problem. LOL

Earl

 
DieMonkeys said:
As of right now, when the engine is running the oil is the color of chocolate milk. I don't think that's good.

Perhaps this could contribute to my bike's limited runtime? As of right now it'll only run for a short period of time. For the first few minutes it runs great, revs as high as I let it go. After a few minutes it'll start chugging, won't rev past 3k rpm. A few minutes later it'll cough a few times then cut out.
Click to expand...

The oil color is not related to your fuel problem.

1. If your oil is acually that "white" do the oil change. Besides, when was the last time it was changed?
2. As for the fuel supply issue, start at the top and work down. Next time you start it up, leave the gas cap off. If the bike continues to run, you have a plugged vent in the gas cap (clean or replace)
b. If it still only runs for a few minutes, drain the gas and pull off the petcock. Take it apart and clean it. Put it back on and try running it again.
Does your petcock have a Prime position? Did you put a new vaccuum hose on it?
 
Ok.
1. I have no idea when it was last changed, sounds like the perfect time to change it!
2.b. No prime, just on and off. I recently cleaned the petcock, took apart everything, diaphragm seems plenty flexible. After the cleaning that's when it began to run better and longer.

I don't know about getting a new vacuum hose, this one seems fine, it's still clear and doesn't look clogged.
 
I was answering your email when my computer crashed at 3:10AM Friday. I'll gladly come by Sunday. Email me directions, phone or whatever.
HWB120240@bellsouth.net I'd email you direct but lost all my addy's, LOL.
 
see if the little vent on the engine is broken, letting in rainwater....

see if the little vent on the engine is broken, letting in rainwater....

chocolate milk sounds like water in the oil, rain can get in and cause rust and ruin the protective qualities of the oil. Can't hurt to change it out.
 
DieMonkeys said:
Alrighty then, I'll stop running the engine then until I can get some oil and a filter. I know they have them down the street at the Advance.

I guess the last guy before me left the bike outside all the time and it got rained on quite a bit.
Click to expand...
That was what i was thinking

DieMonkeys said:
How else could I solve the fuel delivery problem? I've shortened and tried to make the fuel line as straight to the carbs as possible. I've taken apart and cleaned the petcock. I'm positive I'm not mixing the vacuum and the fuel lines. And there is no inline fuel filter.
Click to expand...
have you taken the carbs apart? if not the carbs probably need attention, or possibly an air cleaner blockage have you opened it up an looked for critters? when it starts chugging does the exhaust smell rich?
 
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