Gunk under oil filler

I changed my oil a month ago, there was white gunk under the filler and came out with the last dregs of oil.

I thought it might be due to the cold winter, it hasn't been so cold lately but it is back.

My mpg has decreased over the past months, down to about 55 mpg, the bike does around 200 miles per week, every week.

I replaced the radiator a few weeks back, the old one was dripping coolant. The coolant level seems to have drop slightly since.

What should I be checking and how?

Thanks

Someone more experienced than me will hopefully diagnose but I would be checking head gasket

If your doing short journeys or stop and start journeys, you will get this occasionally as I found on my ol' 400 bandit. Plus if its being used hard straight away from a cold start it can produce the white gunk.
Hope this helps!

I use it for 20 miles at a time, at least, I don't really use it hard much at all. I've no idea how to check the head gasket, would I be correct in assuming there are 2 as it is a V twin?

[yorkie_chris]

Top the coolant off and check it stays topped for a start.

Head gaskets are really robust on SV. The heads are so small there isn't room to get lots of stresses like in longer engines for a start.


Condensation is first suspect, it gets quite cold on side of clutch especially on pointy with metal casing.

I've marked the exact level and will check again in a few days. Do I need to wipe away the gunk or is it ok to leave in?

Wipe away what you can. It's basically some form of moisture getting into the crankcase and then being deposited on the cap. Water and oil don't really mix well, but when it's thick enough it creates an emulsification that looks much like mayonnaise.

[yorkie_chris]

Nah, the amount you can wipe off is tiny compared to the amount that will be stuck to the inside of the clutch cover.

Originally Posted by Mikey360

If your doing short journeys or stop and start journeys, you will get this occasionally as I found on my ol' 400 bandit. Plus if its being used hard straight away from a cold start it can produce the white gunk.
Hope this helps!

+1

Always check for this when buying a used car. Usually short journeys amd not getting up to temperature i thought.
Nothing an oil change and a good run out cant sort though i dont think