An interesting read and good to hoist on board 2nd opinions/theories. Sorry for the thread hijack. I've recently upgraded the performance with my 911. Part of the upgrade was a bespoke remap after decat. It smells a bit rich on tick over. Will this or could this lead to bore wash? Cheers, Paul.
I was told many years ago don't start the engine unless you are using the bike and as long as it's kept in a dry well ventilated garage or shed it will be ok I also keep the battery connected to a optimate. Spray the metal parts in acf50
Hello Paul, I'd get the lambda readings from idle, "smelling" rich isn't really a thing, you need to measure the oxygen content... if its running Lambda 8.2- 8.5 then there is chance of bore wash. You have to bear in mind that modern motors run as lean as they can on start up, to get the Cats up to temp so they start working sooner. Your looking for Lambda 0.97 - 1.03 at idle. Hope this helps
If f you have power to the shed, consider doing what I've done, which is to put a small dehumidifier under the cover along with some extra insulation. It will ward off damaging condensation. Aldi have them for £25.00 atm
Aaaaagh.... Never had a problem with emulsifying oil before, not had chance to get the bike out for a couple of months as it's been 'penned in' to the back garden sue to scaffolding round the house blocking my exit.. Just been out for my first ride since about January... Noticed the little oil viewing window is white over..... So... take it for a service be the best option?
Also... I have been starting / running it till fan came on so it was up to temp while it's been stuck!!
Do you change your own oil and filter? You could just dump the oil and fill with fresh. I guess it ran okay during the journey? Any potential damage would possibly already be done anyway. Have run many through the winter with emulsification showing in window, it's another how long is a piece of string problem really. If you are worried that the amount of moisture in the crank case is excessive then change the oil minimum.
It does not seem to be unusual for some Ducati engines to have that white effect in the oil level window even when they have not been used on especially short runs. On the whole, unless the oil is more than a year old, I'd be inclined to give the bike a good long run (50 miles?) to get it so hot that the water would have to boil off - any left over milkiness in the window would be unlikely then to indicate lots of water. Even if you do then change the oil it can only help to get the engine nice and hot first so that it drains well.
Cheers chaps. I've just done about 50 miles and she never missed a beat, felt fine, she was serviced just prior to arriving with me in August last year and I've only done about 1100 miles. I've just done a search on here about it and there are quite a few posts about leaving the oil filler cap off while she cools down, so I'm having a bash at that. I will be getting her serviced in a couple of months or so just hoping all is ok until then.
On the RSV4 this morning after a 3 month lay up (the last month its been apart for valve clearances) ive got one lithium battery tender amongst 4 bikes so i tend to switch it around....the initial start last night after getting it all back together was about 3 or 4 second but this mornings work run was split second....i do have a garage but dont have a dehumidifier but, its quite or can be quite drafty so i dont think id suffer from anything along those lines... People bang on about "selling their bike cos it doesnt get used..." well, the more mine doesnt get used the more an occassion it becomes when you do use it - this mornings blat to work felt like id just bought it again...awesome.
Sofa. I'm the same, and the ride out I had this afternoon was immense. I was laughing almost every mile
Fucking telling me.....its 3.34 and i can see my rsv4 from the office window.....56 mins to go til some v4 action! And...if it aint raining tomorrow itll be ktm525 supermoto time (not ridden for over a year) took it to MOT last week....hypermotard later in the week...z1ooo next week hopefully in which time the new marchesin's wil be here!!
Yes, have to agree with Chris and Recidivist. No need to worry too much about some emulsion on your window, it's unlikely to mean your actual oil has emulsified and is very common with Ducatis, almost normal... Of course it's better and more reassuring to have a clear window and removing the filler cap after a run definitely does help. If I do this, I always put the filler cap on the petrol tank filler, so I don't ride off with no oil filler cap in place
Don't potter about on it either, needs good hard riding to get it really well warmed up and then kept up to temp so it can properly get rid of the moisture.
Ah - I thought that was a pretty worthy post...just watching the weather forecast for tomorrow...katoom is not coming out if its wet!
