I've just bought my first BM and its a Boxercup rep 2004. I rode it home from buying it and all was fine. Next day i gave it a good wash and then went on another ride. The oil light came on about 2 miles in so I stopped and put half a litre in. The light stayed on, so I checked the viewing window thingy and the oil was all white and bubbly. I rode on to my destination and the bike seemed ok, but the light is still on and I obviously don't want to ride it.
I'm going to try changing the oil and filter at the weekend, but wondered if anyone had any ideas?? Is it the oil pump? is it the white oil? or did something get wet when I washed it??
Any help very gratefully receievd as it's really got me worried!
White oil is normally because there is water in it! have you unscrewed the airbox drain plugs and checked its not full of water that could have run back down the breather pipe into the sump? maybe check the 'O' ring on the filler cap. Was the sight glass white when you got it?
Edit:
The oil pressure switch is just above the sight glass, clean the contact and clean as reqd. also pull the wire off and check the oil pressure light, then ground the wire (nut part of the switch should do) and check the light, I dont know which way round but with the wire off the oil light will be on or off and with it grounded it will be the opposite. then you could try a new switch if the light goes off..
Yes, I hoped it was where the bike had been laid up for winter and condensation had got too it, but just gyessing really. I haven't checked the air box, but defo will now (I must get a manual!). Also the oil filler cap might be worth a look as there is a little bit of oil blowing out of it, so perhaps it needs an O ring or something replacing? and therefore water could have got in when I washed it?
Fingers crossed its from the lay-up a good oil flush and refill sounds like the way to go.. there is a drain bolt on either side of the airbox just back a bit from where the pipes go to the throttles. put something behind them to stop all the crap dribbling on the bike when you unscrew them.
Oil light problem is likely to be water in the pressure switch, Happened to me on more than one occasion. May dry out and be fine but not always, Could be worth buying/fitting a new one. Don't think they are to much money new.
Thanks Peter, I'll get one of those as well as they're cheap. Glad to see that nobody is suspecting it to be a major problem at least! makes me fel a bit better.
Depending on where you are going to buy the stuff you may want to consider getting a new oil filler plug and also the base that it screws into in the engine. Normally though it is the rubber ring at fault.
I had the oil light come on once after I had washed the bike. Quick dry, rub with emery cloth on the oil temp terminals and bob's your uncle - all sorted.
