Coolant in the engine oil 2019 CRF450R

Hamm_racing136
Edited Date/Time 6/12/2020 8:15pm
Hey guys, in 20 years and 20+ bikes I’ve never had this happen so I’m a little lost. While doing some long motos I checked my coolant and it was way down, much more than typical after a long moto. Changed the oil that night and it was grey and milky, so I know I found out where the coolant went. Checked the water pump mechanical seal and oil seal, seemed to look fine, shaft in good shape but replacing since I pulled it apart to see how the shaft looked. Where should I go from here? I know head gasket could be possible? Anywhere else I should check? I do all my engine rebuilds so I’m super comfortable mechanically I just haven’t ever had to deal with this before which is odd since I’ve broken pretty much anything you can on a bike lol. It’s got 62 hours on the frame and valves and 22 on the crank and piston. Thanks!!
|
CarlinoJoeVideo
Profile picture for user CarlinoJoeVideo
Posts
7518
Joined
11/30/2013
Location
Portland/Los Angeles, CA US
CarlinoJoeVideo 6/11/2020 10:11pm
6/11/2020 10:11pm
Have you started it with the new seal in place to see if the coolant is leaking?

I’ve seen water seals go on a bike with 2 hours and a bike go out at 50hours. Just random .10cent part that can go bad.

If you run it and it’s still contaminating the oil, I think the only other place is the head gasket. Someone else can chime in to confirm.
Paw Paw
Profile picture for user Paw Paw
Posts
679
Joined
12/24/2011
Location
Benton, LA US
Paw Paw 6/12/2020 1:40am
6/12/2020 1:40am
There are several o rings in the engine and covers that can also fail and cause this issue.

Paw Paw
Hamm_racing136 6/12/2020 6:51am
6/12/2020 6:51am
Ordered some new water pump seals will try them out first when they show up. If that doesn’t solve the problem will start ripping into the engine more.
Paw Paw
Profile picture for user Paw Paw
Posts
679
Joined
12/24/2011
Location
Benton, LA US
Paw Paw 6/12/2020 7:43am
6/12/2020 7:43am
Put in new bearing as well.

Paw Paw

The Shop

See All »
Hamm_racing136 6/12/2020 8:06am
6/12/2020 8:06am
I ordered bearing and shaft as well, figured if it’s apart make sure it’s all fresh there.
FGR01
Profile picture for user FGR01
Posts
6011
Joined
10/1/2006
Location
AZ US
Fantasy
1201st
FGR01 6/12/2020 12:56pm
6/12/2020 12:56pm
Whenever people see water in the oil right away they want to think it's the water pump seals. In reality, it's darn near impossible for water to bypass both the mechanical seal and the oil seal to get in the oil. And there is a weep hole between the 2 seals so if water was getting past the mechanical seal you'd see it coming out that weep hole so there'd be no guessing. Hate to say it but your problem is more likely your head gasket. Or, as Paw Paw said, one of the coolant passage o-rings, such as #21 in this pic.


1
Hamm_racing136 6/12/2020 8:15pm
6/12/2020 8:15pm
Thanks for the replies, I actually checked seal 21 and it was still in good shape. Figured next spot to check was the spark plug. Was dripping with coolant. So looking like it’s head gasket, already got one on order and figured I’ll do all the water pump stuff as well since I ripped it apart. Thanks for the help guys.
1
miketherider 6/13/2020 9:20am
6/13/2020 9:20am
May want to check the head and have it micced to see if it warped or has a low spot.

Interesting you’re the 5th or 6th person I’ve heard with same year and same cooling issues, even with low hours.
hubbardmx50
Profile picture for user hubbardmx50
Posts
2774
Joined
11/17/2016
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
hubbardmx50 7/10/2023 10:13am
7/10/2023 10:13am

IMG 3920Does this mean my head gasket is going? Or is it just bubbles from the oil? I guess I never really look at the oil after it comes out. I usually use a closed drain pan. Just replaced it 20 hours ago when I did my top end. Never noticed these milky looking bubbles. 

 IMG 3921

 Sorry really hard to take a good photo with the sun and reflection 

hubbardmx50
Profile picture for user hubbardmx50
Posts
2774
Joined
11/17/2016
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
hubbardmx50 7/10/2023 10:41am
7/10/2023 10:41am

After about ten minutes the bubbles went away. Weird

motoracer58 7/10/2023 10:53am
7/10/2023 10:53am
hubbardmx50 wrote:

After about ten minutes the bubbles went away. Weird

might have just been some water droplets or condensation in the pan. You need to change your oil way more often. You said 20hrs on the oil? Going by the color I would cut that in half and see if it improves

hubbardmx50
Profile picture for user hubbardmx50
Posts
2774
Joined
11/17/2016
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
hubbardmx50 7/10/2023 11:00am
7/10/2023 11:00am
hubbardmx50 wrote:

After about ten minutes the bubbles went away. Weird

motoracer58 wrote:
might have just been some water droplets or condensation in the pan. You need to change your oil way more often. You said 20hrs on the...

might have just been some water droplets or condensation in the pan. You need to change your oil way more often. You said 20hrs on the oil? Going by the color I would cut that in half and see if it improves

Lol, no dude 20 hours on the top end not the oil. I never go more than six hours on the oil and filter. This oil had about 5-6 hours on it. It actually looked great as it was coming out of the bike. Nice and gold almost like new. The pan is black so that's why it looks so dark. The milky looking bubbles were a bit concerning but I think it's okay

1

Post a reply to: Coolant in the engine oil 2019 CRF450R