Suzuki GSXR Forum banner

Watery oil?

2K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  billv 
#1 ·
I noticed my oil was a bit low, so I went to top it off with an already opened container of oil from what I could find from a previous oil change. It has been sitting around for a bit in the original container (possibly picking up humidity is my only conclusion). After I started to pour it, it started to look lighter and lighter in color almost watery though the flow looked like oil and didn't pour out like water.

I didn't start the bike because I was scared to after that. Even in the sight glass it looks a couple shades lighter than what I remember it being. I planned to do an oil change in the next couple months because the bike will be sitting for upwards of a month, but don't know if I should rush into it now or not. Should I be sure to get that out as quick as possible and just put new oil into it, or will it be ok to sit for upwards of a month without causing any issues.

Bike is an 07 600 gsxr.
Oil is Amsoil sae 10w-40

I also have a quart of the same oil that is a couple years old, should I just throw that out considering it possibly picked up the same humidity and grab a couple new quarts of it?

Thanks for any help.
 
See less See more
#2 ·
Interesting.

I don't know that motor oils deteriorate with age. I don't think they are particularly hydroscopic.

If you know the container has not been contaminated, I would just carry on. Maybe the oil separated a bit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: biglou85
#5 ·
Yeah, I just figured the way it was stored might have gotten some humidity in the bottled that was previously opened but maybe I was just imagining things.

I did go ahead and pick up some new oil and I think I am just going to swap it out before I let it sit for a while. I do have another quick question though.

I am seeing some leakage around the Clutch cover (cover above the sight glass for oil level) and I have noticed this over time. No actual dripping but you can see where the paint of the cover is discolored (oily) because of it. Any cause for alarm? Would this be significant enough to where I should change out the cover and a new gasket for it? I didn't know if maybe this is where I lost enough oil for the sight glass being low enough to where I wanted to add some. I have had it in the same spot for a while and no sign of anything dripping at all so maybe it's just slowly been going down over time.
 
#3 ·
I have kept oil for years, and haven't noticed anything like that. If you've ever seen truly water contaminated oil, you would have noticed right away if this stuff was bad. pretty much looks like a mocha milkshake. Without seeing it myself, I can't tell you "you'll be fine"...
 
  • Like
Reactions: koth442
#6 ·
How long before since your last oil change? My guess would be that the new oil is cleaner and possibly a clearer looking product. I have not encountered problems with oil picking up water, actually they don't mix well or easily. If you do have any water in your oil it should be at the bottom of your oil pan. Like was said, swapping it out for fresh is a good way to get piece of mind.
 
#8 ·
OK, I knew hydroscopic...lipophobia is not found in the matrix of my current vernacular. If you would be so kind as to elucidate it would be appreciated by all.

Translation: WTF does lipophobia mean?
 
#11 ·
Oil and water don't mix. If your container wasn't tightly closed you might have got some condensation in it. But it would just sit on top rather than producing a lighter colored layer. I have an old Corvette that gets briefly driven every ten years. In 2008 the oil was changed prior to it being driven. In 2018 that oil, with maybe 5 miles on it, was drained and replaced. I didn't notice any change in color due to settling as it drained.

I wonder if your opened container got some used oil or even brake fluid in it without being noticed or remembered. As stated, for peace of mind change the oil. On close examination, my Corvette's oil is only slightly black, not nearly as dirty as used oil gets. So I use it in lawnmowers, etc.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top