dirty oil level window - how do I clean?

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why walk

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My 81' sohc xs has one of the oil windows to check the oil level, but it is all scummed up on the inside with white deposits. Is there a way of cleaning it without splitting the crankcase? as i have no dipstick

If anyone else has had this problem and has fixed it please share

:thumbsup:
 
I just got my '81, but it seemed that you could kind of peer down from the top and almost see the window from the inside. Couldn't you somehow bend a coat hanger with a cloth FIRMLY taped to the end and wipe it? Just don't drop anything in there...
 
Ether find a dipstick or take the cover off and clean it. If it is very dirty and changing the oil don't help that is what you will have to do:shrug:
 
Somewhere I heard that the windows are pressed in, so I don't think removing it is in the cards. I would agree with phanowel.
 
the white is condensation from the engine oil not getting up to proper temp. My clutch window did it at first, but its fine now the condensation has evaporated.
 
as said it could be condensation. Go for a good run on it get it nice and hot then take the cap off with the engine running for a bit, may clear it, or try several oil changes with again a hot engine (don't burn yourself tho dropping the oil) ;)
 
ok, sounds good :) hopefully it will disappear when I start using it, if not i will try a hot change. will be on the road soon as I done my test :)
 
Couldn't you somehow bend a coat hanger with a cloth FIRMLY taped to the end and wipe it?
Click to expand...

Sounds good in theory but even with the cover off and full acess to the window with whatever i could poke in there, it was still not that easy. Because there is a little metal cage type thing around it you still can only get certain limited angles at it. Theres no clear wipe at it, you have to work away at it at crappy little angles through the holes in the 'cage' thing. Be VERY hard trying to do that with cover still on, via the dipstick hole with a coathanger!

I ended up flushing the area with straight detergent and wiping that around as much as i could then spray it all out with water. I repeated that quite a few times to get it all out. Prodding around with a coathanger only gonna put lines in the sludge imo, you could maybe leave your initials in there thats probably about it. But maybe mine was just really bad? Ive had a photo for evey occasion latly:laugh:
 

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Here is a pic of it from the back side. No way you could get anything down there to clean it. The cage is recessed in the cover.
 
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Perhaps with the oil drained, carb cleaner and a long, thin hose. Of course, taking the cover off would be the best, but if not, some carefully aimed spray may do it- if heat and clean oil don't.
 
the milky residue is water, if you have the side case off this would be a good time to clean it with WD-40 (Water Dispersant formula 40)
 
ok? so is it imperative that i take the bottom half of the engine apart to sort that? or do you think when i start using the bike it will go away?
 

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