Water in the cylinder

[-Ralph-]

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=173078

Dropped the bike in a river today and the engine took on water.

On another forum somebody has said "Hope you changed the oil and filters".

Air filter needs changed anyway.

The water would only have contaminated the oil lining the cylinder above the piston, it can't have got past the cylinder and down into the sump can it? Once pumped out won't any water have got burned off?

Do I need to change oil and filter? Will I have creamy oil?

I only changed both last night! Grrr!

[DJ123]

drain out some oil into a container and check it. If there is water in the oil it will show as a seperate layer. Thats what i would do 1st.

[Specialone]

I must admit Col, I thought the same as you, with good piston rings, oil can't see the top side of cylinder, but I'm no expert on these matters.

The air filter will dry out no problem IMO and if the oil hasn't been in contact with the top of the engine I'd leave that too.

Won't you get white deposits over time if water in oil?

[SIII]

It also depends what else is in the water? I once flooded my land rover and it lasted 3 hours before big ends went due to some silt getting into the sump!

Change the oil.

[missyburd]

His oilyness says if you've just ridden 50 mile on the motorway you've probably boiled off any water that's got in. Check for mayonnaise under the filler cap.

[andrewsmith]

Col

Is it running ok since its sinking?
Did the bike stall before it was drowned?

I'd be inclined to to drop it as a precaution as it did take a good dunking

[Sid Squid]

Probably be OK as long as it was only water in it, and that the oil got properly hot when you ran it. If it did it will have evaporated any water remaining in it, the most benefit from an oil change would have been if it were done before the motor was run.

That said the best precaution wil be to change it again, it's not that dear surely. Empty the filter out to make sure any contamination is gone, the filter itself won't have suffered from a dousing.

[-Ralph-]

His oilyness says if you've just ridden 50 mile on the motorway you've probably boiled off any water that's got in. Check for mayonnaise under the filler cap.

Remind him it's a dry sump and ask him if the filler cap in the oil reservoir at the head of the frame would still get mayonnaise on it? Ta!

[-Ralph-]

That said the best precaution wil be to change it again, it's not that dear surely. Empty the filter out to make sure any contamination is gone, the filter itself won't have suffered from a dousing.

OK. Thanks.

[missyburd]

Remind him it's a dry sump and ask him if the filler cap in the oil reservoir at the head of the frame would still get mayonnaise on it? Ta!
Yes 'cos that's quite a cold point and you get the mayo wherever water vapour tends to condense.