Milky Sludge in Clutch Cover

[Prothec]

I just pulled my clutch cover off to add a proper gasket I have lying around to stop a minor oil leak.

There's a milky sludge stuck to the clutch cover. The last oil change was a little before I put it up for the winter. I have not changed it yet this year, but I've had it torn apart and haven't gotten around to changing the oil yet, not that it would do much good for the sludge stuck to the inside of the case.

Any idea why the oil would turn this color? To me it means water in the oil, but that could only come from condensation... unless oil gets whipped into a creamy substance without water...

I'll post a picture of it later today.

[FJ111200]

To me it means water in the oil, but that could only come from condensation...

That's right mate. Change the oil and filter and you'll be back to normal.
Short runs or rides cause the problem when the oil doesn't get hot enough.

[WMarshy]

Before you drain your old oil you might consider running a little sea foam treatment in your engine oil then draining it. MAKE SURE YOU READ THE TIPS ON THE FORUM BEFORE DOING IT! Its been suggested to only run the engine at idle, not under load. Do a search to learn more about it. Some people swear by it, claims of fixing clutch slip, or at least postponing having to get invasive... Then some swear at it... believe someone wiped a crank bearing doing it, IIRC they were riding around with it in the oil... rust remember it thins the oil. Follow the directions on the bottle.

[James England]

I got some the other day after a very short run. It goes away after a good burn. You can also get the same stuff in the air filter box 'rake'-shaped pipe assembly.

On one engine I had, the white stuff (ie emulsified oil) had settled on the clutch release mechanism over years of short runs, I suspect. This actually allowed the top ball bearing to rust and pit.

Personally, I wouldn't put any additive in the oil just because of a little white froth. At most, I would change the oil and filter, clean the gunge away and also do the airbox (if you have one on the bike) and then give the bike a good run to get the oil nice and hot.

[natemoen]

I agree that a good long hot run is the best, easiest, and also cheapest way to get rid of all that.

[Prothec]

All good to know. Thanks for the input everyone. It's just the first I've ever seen it. It looks and feels kind of like the gunk hand cleaner stuff and sticks to the outer parts of the case.

I was thinking about running seafoam as I have done it in my beater car that was neglected for oil changes most of its life, but don't like the idea on the bike. I'd consider it on a bike that I've never had completely apart not knowing the history, with god knows what growing inside.

80% of my riding is a short 10-minute drive to work in the cool morning and home in the evenings.

[CaptonZap]

80% of my riding is a short 10-minute drive to work in the cool morning and home in the evenings.

Right there, I'd say you found the cause.
Ten minutes, in cold weather and stop and go traffic, in cool weather, won't get the oil hot enough to vaporize the moisture in it. ( Unless you hammer it between every stop light. ) And some of the moisture that does get vaporized and mixed with combustion byproducts, turns to acid, and condenses on the inside of the muffler, and starts to rust it out. Next time you go to work, spit on the end of the muffler. If it doesn't sizzle, it ain't hot enough. (Dribble some water if you are fastidious.)
Now, how much more of an eXScuse do you need to take a looong ride. CZ

[DGXSER]

Yep, I found my breather tube basically plugged with the milky goo after a winter of carb tuning and cleaning in my garage. I would suggest you take the long long long way home in the evening.

[Toolmaker Tim]

The Long Way Home

That's the first time I've ever seen an excuse for a long ride. My problem is taking the short way home.

[cywelchjr]

I agree that a good long hot run is the best, easiest, and also cheapest way to get rid of all that.

It's also the most fun way to do it.