Engine Questions

[Rowdy-Yates]

I know I have asked this in the past but here goes again. When I change my oil it is grey. I am thinking it is my clutch plates. Although it may be a leaking water pump seal. I would think that it is the clutch plates because the oil is not foaming. Also my bike runs rich which is common for Kawi's. I get black spooge coming out of the exhaust. I was told that it could be tranny oil getting past the crank seal. How could I rule this out by not splitting the cases? Just lean it out with fuel or with jetting?  Any help would be appreciated.

[mikesmith]

Preassure test it (pluggin exahust and intake,pumping it up to 6 or 7 lbs to see if it holds air,theres a how to Paul wrote if I remember right),spooge could be jetting(how to else where on this site),oil/fuel ratio mixture (suggest 32 or 40:1)and type of oil(suggest Maxima Super-M).As far as oil color it would be a leaking water pump seal to change the color (milk shake color) not crank seal.

[gowen]

Rowdy-Yates, just go ahead and replace the waterpump seal. It is cheap and will eleminate that problem, cause if you have not done it within' 5-6 years, it is more than likely on its way. I would also replace the oil crank seal. You can do both very easily and it is pretty cheap. I can tell you now that the spooge is from jetting.

Mike is right, but I would go ahead and replace both. But, a pressure test is good anyway. If you drain the oil into a pan and let it sit for awhile, does bubbles form or does it start to seperate? That would mean the waterpump. If you dip your fingers into the oil and it is runny, that is also a waterpump seal. If you dip it into the oil and it spreads with little tiny shavings of metal, that is the clutch.

[Rowdy-Yates]

splitting the cases for someone that has not done it in 14 years is (very easy) I can do it I just would not use the word very easy.  Unless the crank seal is in a different spot than what I think it is in. The oil and the grey seperated Grey settled down to the bottom and the oil is still cloudy. Oh btw I get a squishy sound from my rear shock I might have to try the rear shock rebuild that is posted sounds interesting. I used to think they could only be rebuilt by shops.
                                             Thanks for the Info guys.

[gowen]

Sorry, you do not have to split the case to change the crank seal, it is very simple. You don't have to split the case, unless you are talking about the clutch cover. There is a colar behind the gear coming from the crankshaft and if removed, the seal is right there in the open and you can pop it out with a screw driver, it should come right out.

[Rowdy-Yates]

AHHH that sounds easy ill check it out when I change the water pump seal.

[KXcam22]

Rowdy,
   Lot of good advice there. I normally get gray in my trans oil from the aluminum clutch plates wearing. I think water usually colors it alot whiter and milky looking. The exhaust spooge can also be the brand (and mix) of oil you run.  I was running Belray HR-1 (@60:1) last year in mine and my kids bikes and was getting lots of spooge, even with crisp jetting.  I switched back to my favorite MC-1 (@60:1) and the spooge vanished!! Interresting. Cam.

[Rick]

Switch to steel plates and not only eliminate confusion about water or aluminum contamination, but steel plates last forever.  I actually pulled mine from my 1999 and slapped them into the 2002.  I have fours years on them now, and still going strong.

Rick