Oil contaminated with water or gas GL1000

jackb23548 · Jul 18, 2013

Bought a project GL1000 w sidecar and rebuilt the carbs. Once that was done I drained the coolant and oil. Coolant looked ok but the oil was gray. Obviously contaminated with water or gas. Thing is there is no steam coming from exhaust and neither of the heads are leaking water. Wondering if the fuel pump diaphragm could be leaking and letting gas get into the crankcase. It would have to be a lot because the oil is very gray, has a strong smell of gas.

What is the best way to check for a head gasket failure?
Can I fill the case with diesel fuel to clean it out and then refill with clean oil?

thx

Jack

joedrum · Jul 18, 2013

hmmmmm so your thinking gas ....might be nothing but the yrs of sitting ....id change the oil and run in the stand and watch it ...have box fan to keep it cool ..something will rise to the surface if its anything big

dan filipi · Jul 18, 2013

Real common for gas to end up in the oil if petcock is left on while parked on the side stand.
Not so common for fuel pump to leak gas in but possible.

Ok like Joe says, I'd change oil and top up the radiator.
While running keep an eye for bubbles coming into the coolant reservoir. That's a sign of a blown head gasket.

slabghost · Jul 18, 2013

Gray oil is not good. Hopefully it's just condensation contamination. I agree with the advice above.

jackb23548 · Jul 18, 2013

Thanks for the advice guys. I am going to flush out the crankcase this weekend and see if I can find any evidence of a head gasket leak.

Take care

Jack

ekvh · Jul 19, 2013

Probably won't hurt to pull the lower hose flange and wiggle the water pump. If it's loose, it can let water in if someone changed it improperly. ( bad crush washers).

jackb23548 · Jul 19, 2013

I checked the waterpump last night, no wiggle but it is the original one. Also pulled the spark plug, #1 cylinder plug was very clean and shiny. Guessing this is where the head gasket is bad, someone said if your plug looks steam cleaned then that is where the leak is. Gonna start disassembly this weekend. Only bummer is that it is on the the sidecar side of the bike. :doh: