white milky stuff under my oil cap

[uk9876]

Hi all just took the oil filler cap of my bike and there is white milky stuff under my oil cap. I done a little research in to this and as the bike is only 4 months old and only done just over 1000 miles I cannot see it being the head gasket that is letting water and oil mix. I was run in keeping the revs below 4000 rpm for the first 1000 miles.

The other reason may be 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 build-up of creamy mocha colour slim.


As I use the bike every day to got the train station and it only a short trip I am thinking it could be the above. I took the bike for ride out yesterday for over 100 miles and lets just say that a full tank did not go very far and when I got back there was no sludge.


Has any one else seen this when using the bike daily on short trips.

[doebag]

Very common on engines in the circumstances you describe.
If you have time, go the long way to the station to let the engine get thoroughly hot. If not do as you did and take it for a blast every so often to clear the 'mayonaisse'

[O.C.]

These symptoms have been spotted before, and its nothing to worry about 

[Kwikasfuki]

can't remember where i read it, but apparently this is common if the engine is run for short distances

[Winston Smith]

In the first post 

[2kwacks]

I've never had a bike that as not had this from time to time. that's why they recommend you change your oil and filter more frequently if used for short journeys. I tend not to run my bikes in the garage if not used for a while over winter, I always try and give them a run every other week. if this is not possible due to snow/ice then I will start them and will run bikes till the fans cut in, then unscrew the filler cap right back and just let it rest on top of the filler neck so the condensation can escape. never had any "white stuff" since doing this

[100milesaway]

Yep common problem, short journeys should = more frequent oil changes.