condensation in engine oil

[pmazdan9]

I might still cover the cooler like you said, just need to figure out convinient way of doing this. I can't be bothered to take it on/off depending on how I'm gonna ride! Hoping crank vent will be enough once all water evaporates.

I read some horror stories from people installing vent filter directly onto crankcase. Not much oil spitting out, but it's just above the rear wheel, so any amount is very bad. It's a good idea to keep oil catch tank whether you wheelie or not. And locate the filter away from rear wheel just in case... k&n filter looks too cool to keep it under the seat

[pmazdan9]

I might just wrap it aluminum foil for now. I'm trying to find oil cooler with built in thermostat, or just a thermostat (aight I admit it I like gadgets and I'm lazy ). Actually found one where "The valve is shut below 70 C (158 F) and smoothly opens completely at 80 C (176 F), to insure optimal oil temperatures." - sounds like a little project for next winter

/e: aight so I found one made by mocal but it's £100. Not sure I'll ever do it, I'll prob stick to covering the cooler in winter

/e2: another cheap option I have in mind is to install a manual valve. When open it would circulate oil through the cooler as normal, when closed... well, you know what do you think?

Blue for winter, red for summer Scrap it. I might just install a valve where oil goes to the cooler and close it for the winter.

[Speeddog]

~~~SNIP~~~

I might just install a valve where oil goes to the cooler and close it for the winter.

Don't do that.

[pmazdan9]

Why not, am I being silly?

[ducpainter]

Why not, am I being silly?

I'm pretty sure the way the system flows, if you block flow to the cooler you'll shut off oil flow completely, except for the filter bypass.

Nick knows for certain.

When I rode on the street in the fall at temps near 40 F, I just used duct tape. I tend not to overthink stuff.

[pmazdan9]

Ah it makes sense, thanks for pointing it out! Thinking about it now, to make it work I'd need 3 valves really, in H configuration (plumber needed ). It just makes no sense to do it unless there's a device designed for this kind of job that I don't know about, otherwise it'll look silly and be overcomplicated. It would be easier to remove oil cooler completely for the cold weather and blank out the holes, then put it back on in the summer. It's funny cos I'm trying to find the most convenient fix.

I'm just discovering all options really! I might and probably will end up using duct tape or aluminum foil, but who knows, maybe I'll figure out a different way. All of you guys have so much knowledge and ideas, I'm so glad I found this forum! I had no idea the crankcase vent filter is a thing, not to mention million other things you helped me with! I'm very thankful for that and hope I can contribute more in the future

[Speeddog]

There is a bypass reed-valve under the oil filter that allows oil flow to continue if the oil cooler passages get plugged or one of the lines gets squashed shut.

You'd be using an emergency safety feature full-time, and that's just a bad idea.

Wrapping the oil cooler is simple, cheap, easily verifiable, and does not compromise reliability.

[koko64]

A motor trimmer/upholsterer can make a nice vinyl cover which velcros to itself and can fit under the seat when not used. I'm cable tying on a cut of vinyl at present until I can bother my guy with these small jobs.
There was a time when Lockhart oil coolers came with a vinyl cover  not sure if thats still the case.
Your bikes cooler is very effective.

[pmazdan9]

Good point Speeddog! Looks like my only option other than the cover would be thermostat. Apparently evoluzione used to make them for first monsters but they're not in production for years. Only alternative now is mocal. Maybe I'll go for it one day.

For now I'll stick with the cover!

[ducpainter]

Good point Speeddog! Looks like my only option other than the cover would be thermostat. Apparently evoluzione used to make them for first monsters but they're not in production for years. Only alternative now is mocal. Maybe I'll go for it one day.

For now I'll stick with the cover!

The evoluzione units restricted oil flow, even when fully open.

[pmazdan9]

So I took it for a spin again this weekend, can't get it to above 86°C (187°F) when riding hard. The cooler is too efficient in winter. I've ordered neoprene sheet and will wrap cooler and secure with long steel cable ties. I noticed there's less condensation in the sight glass thanks to crank vent filter But there's still some. Both this and wrapped cooler will do the job I'm sure. Thanks all!

[koko64]

How's it goin'?

[pmazdan9]

I've covered the cooler with 3mm neoprene sheet (front and back) and took it for a ride this weekend. It warms up quicker, in town I reached 114°C (237°F) and I can maintain above 100°C (212°F) on motorway easily All condensation is 100% gone, happy days!

[koko64]