Wilsons Sandbox

On Nov 17, 2006, at 7:58 PM, Birdmove wrote:

> I should say that > my commute is only about 7.5 miles each way, and the weather is a > might cold (western Wa. State).I'm hoping its just too short of a ride > to burn the water vapor from the oil??I'm running Delo 400 15W 40 > diesel truck oil.

Yep, that's the problem--you're working too much and riding too little. You also might want to consider switching to a diesel 5W-40; it'll flow a bit better in the mornings. -- Blake Sobiloff http://sobiloff.typepad.com/blakeblog/> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> San Jose, CA (USA) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Why diesel? IS it better then the Rotella 15w40? I'm looking at 30-55 deg weather all winter long and I was going to use the Rotella 15w40 in my next change. Moose Blake Sobiloff wrote:

On Nov 17, 2006, at 7:58 PM, Birdmove wrote: > I should say that > my commute is only about 7.5 miles each way, and the weather is a > might cold (western Wa. State).I'm hoping its just too short of a ride > to burn the water vapor from the oil??I'm running Delo 400 15W 40 > diesel truck oil. Yep, that's the problem--you're working too much and riding too little. You also might want to consider switching to a diesel 5W-40; it'll flow a bit better in the mornings. -- Blake Sobiloff http://sobiloff.typepad.com/blakeblog/> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> San Jose, CA (USA) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] --------------------------------- Sponsored Link Mortgage rates near 39yr lows. $310,000 Mortgage for $999/mo - Calculate new house payment [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Nov 17, 2006, at 10:08 PM, Moose wrote:

> Why diesel? IS it better then the Rotella 15w40? I'm looking at > 30-55 deg weather all winter long and I was going to use the > Rotella 15w40 in my next change.

Rotella *is* a diesel oil. As several listers have posted, diesel oils hold their viscosity better than spark ignition (i.e. gasoline) oils. Rotella 5W-40 is available at Wal-Mart and only about $14/ gallon last I checked. You'll still want to change your oil every 1,500 to 2,000 miles, but you'll bet getting significantly less startup wear, especially in winter. -- Blake Sobiloff http://sobiloff.typepad.com/blakeblog/> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> San Jose, CA (USA) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I also use Rotella synthetic 5W-40 and I'm delighted with it - smoother shifting and 2-3mpg better gas milage. I live in the same neck of the woods as you do Jon and never experienced the foaming you report, even after cold morning starts on mountain campouts in the 30's. You might be right that it just never got up to full operating temp to vaporize the moisture - try a longer ride home thru some twisties out near Lk. Kapowsin mate! FWIW, I've done 3 oil changes in the last 10K miles - odo now at 27K. Since the last oil change 4K ago, I've added ZERO oil, it's still at the 3/4 point on the sight glass. Pat Renton, WA A14

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Birdmove" wrote: > > Today for the first time on my 2004 KLR650 I noticed sign of > moisture in the oil level window.Just a bit of gray.I should say that > my commute is only about 7.5 miles each way, and the weather is a > might cold (western Wa. State).I'm hoping its just too short of a ride > to burn the water vapor from the oil??I'm running Delo 400 15W 40 > diesel truck oil. > > jon in Puyallup, Wa. USA >

On Nov 18, 2006, at 8:03 AM, George wrote:

> Are Rotella and Rotella T the same thing? The T is all I see here.

When folks are talking about Shell's Rotella T oil they'll often leave off the "T", but all the Rotella oils have a "T" in the name. http://www.rotella.com/products/> -- Blake Sobiloff http://sobiloff.typepad.com/blakeblog/> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> San Jose, CA (USA) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Some brief thoughts, although there may be some experts out there to expound on/correct this: The KLR650 does not have a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system, it has a less efficient breather crankcase ventilation (BCV) system. The less efficient BCV system cannot remove enough blowby contaminants (moisture, fuel, etc.) during repeated short trips in cold weather, and these contaminants build up in the oil. As others have noted, riding the bike longer, getting the entire engine up to full operating temperature will be helpful at minimizing these contaminants. Since the KLR650 seems to be a cool-running/overcooled bike in cooler temperatures, suggestions on this list to raise the engine' normal operating temperature may also be helpful. Changing your oil more often would keep contaminant levels down if you can't change your cold weather riding habits. I think the real solution to this problem might be the engine in the 2008 KLR650 with a possible redesigned cooling system, and what sounds like a more efficient PCV system (see 2006 KLX250S and others for example). Fred

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Birdmove" wrote: > > Today for the first time on my 2004 KLR650 I noticed sign of > moisture in the oil level window.Just a bit of gray.I should say that > my commute is only about 7.5 miles each way, and the weather is a > might cold (western Wa. State).I'm hoping its just too short of a ride > to burn the water vapor from the oil??I'm running Delo 400 15W 40 > diesel truck oil. > > jon in Puyallup, Wa. USA >