'87 K75s / Oil in Coolant Reservoir

[kentuvman]

Preparing to ride K bike to Sedalia.

Been hot hot hot in MN - today while on a short ride, the fan came on as it should in high temperatures.

In checking fluids, noticed some oil in the overflow reservoir. Last season I rebuilt the water/oil pump and thought all went well - bike doesn't leak oil anymore.

My initial thought process is to drain and replace with fresh coolant. Wondering what you guys think.

[kentuvman]

Used a large syringe to remove the coolant in the reservoir - it looks okay - meaning - other than what was floating on the top, I didn't see any more oil - the coolant looks okay.

I placed my index finger on the inside of the coolant reservoir and there was some sludge attached to the wall - I used a large rag and wiped everything clean.

I'm tempted to refill the reservoir with new coolant and proceed on my ride to the rally. I guess I could remove the tank and check how the fluid looks at the top of the radiator. Wondering if the sludge was previously in the reservoir prior to my rebuilding the pump - it was dripping oil before the rebuild!

What do you think?

[98lee]

Before a long trip like that (especially in HOT weather), you should check the coolant level at the radiator cap. Don't worry about the little bit of oil, just make sure the radiator is full, the overflow is at the right level, and the overflow hose doesn't have any cracks in it.

Have fun at the rally!

[58058D]

If you are not experiencing other signs of a seal failure, I would give it a try. Refill and go for a ride that is long enough and hot enough (sit in traffic?) to get things moving back and forth with the overflow. See what it looks like then. It is quite possible the sludge has been there for some time and you just now noticed it, of course it is right before your big summer ride.

[kentuvman]

Thanks Guys - my gut level tells me she's fine.

It's only @ 480 miles each way.

Thanks again

Ken

[layton]

I'd ride it!

[deilenberger]

Thanks Guys - my gut level tells me she's fine.

It's only @ 480 miles each way.

Thanks again

Ken

Ah - a day ride..

I wouldn't overly worry about it. I've seen some coolants that have waterpump lubricant in them that will precipate a small ring of gooie (tech-term) munge around the top of the coolant line in the reservoir. One thing to check, poke a Q tip up through the hole between the oil/water sections of the pump and make sure that hole isn't plugged up.

[ghyber]

Ah - a day ride..

I wouldn't overly worry about it. I've seen some coolants that have waterpump lubricant in them that will precipate a small ring of gooie (tech-term) munge around the top of the coolant line in the reservoir. One thing to check, poke a Q tip up through the hole between the oil/water sections of the pump and make sure that hole isn't plugged up.

Word to the Wise

Be careful if you are going to use the cheap no-name brand Q-tips. Before you shove anything up the hole, make sure the cotton swab is solidly attached to the stick and still on the stick after the "inverted dip check".

My no-name Q-tip cotton swab came off the stick and remained inside the cavity when cleaning the weeping hole with the oil/water pump completely dismantled for an oil seal replacement.