Milky Diff. Oil!

[RED CAT]

My rear drive fluid seems to get milky very easily. Went to the car wash once and crossed an 8 inch creek and fluid is milky white indicating water in the FD. This is only after a fluid change 2 weeks ago. Anyone know if the breather cap comes off or whats under there? Its the only place water can get in. If it was a seal, it would also leak fluid onto the rim. So I really doubt its that. Luckily I change the FD fluid often. Any ideas??? ::007::

 

[~TABASCO~]

Its from water... And I will bet its from the high pressure washer not the creek crossing... I always suggest never using high pressure washers.. I've seen and replaced and fixed so many bikes and parts over there years due to high pressure washers..... Im not there to look at it, but that would be my best guess..... fo sho..

Also, depending on how often you use the high pressure washer I would also suggest checking wheel bearings and fork oil... Over the years I know of two Harleys and a metric bike the guy almost died because the wheel bearings rusted and then broke, then blew up and turned to dust.. from water from high pressure... Also the pressure washer water will blow right past fork seals...

 

[RED CAT]

Thanks. This I know and am careful about bearings and the breather. Just a quick swish over the FD housing to clean off the gunk. I really think whatever is under that breather cap is screwed. Going to try getting it off. I also had a huge accidental launch off a berm and completely bottomed out the suspension and noticed some fluid dribbling out the cap after. Maybe a 1 way valve under there.

 

[squarebore]

Someone was going to say it so I'll be the first - hasn't got some kero in it has it?

 

[greg the pole]

not sure what's under the breather, but if you invert the pumpkin, it will leak...
ask me how I know.

I pressure wash my bike as well (at home) but carefully.
I just replaced my shaft seals, should have the write up done sometime this morning..

hopefully

 

[RED CAT]

Yo Greg. Heard about your seals. Looking forward to the write up.

 

[greg the pole]

Yo Greg. Heard about your seals. Looking forward to the write up.

done and done!
http://thetenerist.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/rear-shaft-drive-seal-replacement-and-staintune-pipe/

 

[Don in Lodi]

Just doing a lot of off road gets oil misting around my vent. Shaken, not stirred. The oil gets very aerated/foamy. It just takes a few hundred yards of wash board to do it.

 

[RED CAT]

Greg. Nice write up. You should maybe post this up in the Technical Section too. Looks pretty difficult but now that you're an expert, you'll be handy to have around when my seals go. Re: our discussion today about the hole on the inside of the swing arm letting in all the dust, dirt and grime to help destroy the seals on the shaft drive side; I used spray foam insulation to plug it. There is a small drain hole under the shaft drive side which should be enough for drain off. I think Yamaha should have installed a rubber plug in that large hole at the Factory. ::022::

 

[greg the pole]

thanks Richard,

it's odd that it's there in the first place, wonder what the purpose is...