[tomohawk]

I know this is an impossible question to answer without looking at the bike but I'm asking anyways.

I just took my '03 Z to a guy to do the valve shims. I don't have the tools or the know-how to tackle a job that big and my garage isn't heated, so I had someone else do it. In the meantime, I painted the tank, covered it in vinyl, put some LED's on it and did some other cosmetic stuff. Wrapped the header too. So I listened to it run when it left his place and it was fine. Took it home, put the wrapped headers on and the tank and started it. It ran like crap. I let it get pretty hot, maybe 240, then I shut her down because I couldn't tell what was wrong. I filled the coolant, took the tank off, wiggled some plug wires, put the tank back on and BAM, runs like a champ. I'm thinking there was a bad connection somewhere and that's why it was running bad.

So here's what happened. I didn't check the oil when I picked it up. I looked at it after I ran it and it looked, through a clear window might I add, like it was a quart down. I needed to change the oil anyways, so I did. Filled her up with ice cold oil that has been in my garage all winter, so it took a while to pour. Replaced the filter, 3 quarts in, fired it up, ran it for 2 min or so and shut her down. Looked at the window, it's foggy. White. Can't see anything till I tip the bike back and forth and swish it around. Needed about a half quart or less, but the foggy window bothered me since it was clear before. Little bit of brown on the filler cap, looks like it might be antifreeze. Damn.

My question is, is that window double walled, where on a cold day (it's 10 degrees in my garage), with cold oil, it could get foggy between the panes somehow? Is it possible that running it too hot for a minute could've blown the head gasket? Is it possible that when the mechanic was putting the head cover back on he missed, or moved some gasket that seals the plugs? I did spill some antifreeze on the head when I was filling it, so some could've gotten in the plug hole, but that was before I changed the oil? Crap! I don't know what the bleep happened! :dontknow: Help me please!

 

[KawiGrnNmyVeins]

It's just condensation probably from the oil being so cold and being heated so fast in the engine....It happens in cars all the time....even leaves milky looking residue in the cap.....let it set overnight and check it....I think it's ok man

 

[KawiGrnNmyVeins]

My 650 used to do it alot

 

[Barry]

Im in florida and the same thing is happening with my bike too.
I think the problem is that the EPA is getting so strict on fumes of oil and gas and anti-freeze the crankcase just doest breathe like in older bikes.
My 1999 sv never had this problem but since the temps have dropped my Z is doing it.I was a little disturbed at first.
My ride to work is only like 3 miles so the engine doesnt get fully hot and i think thats the problem.
The other day while it was still only 40 something outside i rode to check out a friends new bike in the next town, about 30 miles round trip.
She cleared that moistier right out and was nice and clear again.
So if i were you i would keep an eye on your coolent level and wait for spring like im sure we ALL ARE.
Hope theres no real prob with it.
Just my 2cents,hope it pts your mind at ease....PEACE

 

[tomohawk]

Man, I hope you guys are right. I've just never seen anything like this before and I've put mountains of money and hour upon hour into this thing this winter getting it ready so as soon as it's above 35 degrees and the world around me starts melting I can get on her again. Thanks, I was freaking.