I have a 2003 sportsman 700. The other day i went to start my bike after about a month and a half of sitting and i noticed a significant amount of coolant in the oil. The engine also developed a little bit of a nock (maybe cause the oil is diluted with coolant?). I have been reading around, and ive seen alot of posts about water/oil seals. I dont think this is my issue becasue my weep hole between the seasl is dry. What could casue coolant in the oil? Any and all advice is appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

First off change the oil and filter!! Top off coolant,crank it up and see how it runs. Check to make sure the weep hole is still dry. To get coolant into the oil from the water pump area, the water pump seal would have to be bad along with the oil seal back behind it for coolant to get through,plus you would notice any leakage from either seal through the weep hole as there is a "dead" space between the two seals that lead to the weep hole. It's possible if you continue to get coolant in the oil a head gasket could be leaking,but you should smell coolant burning from the exhaust also. Don't know if sitting up could have something to do with it. Keep us updated. OPT

 

Thanks OPT

The oil and filter was brand new before i stored the bike for 45 days and was running fine. The coolant resvior was also between the full and add lines and now it is empty. I double checked the weep hole and it is deffinately dry. I did not notice any oddly semlling exhaust (but i was not looking for it and now im afraid to run the engine with the diluted oil). Should i buy a head gasket and replace the oil and go from there? Is there any other parts i should test/check before i assume its a head gasket?

Thanks again!!

 

since its been sitting get the oil out of it and fill with fresh oil as OPT mentioned fill the coolant start it and see how it runs and keep an eye on the weep holes and oil so you know when it is mixing with the coolant (I would do this before doing a head gasket)

 

If the coolant is empty it has to have gone somewhere! If it's a head gasket you would smell coolant and would smoke. Just dump out the oil filter, re use,change oil and just add water to see what is wrong,then you can see if it's a head gasket,dripping from the weep hole,etc. They can drip from the weep hole while you're riding and may not make a mess. Plus this could have been happening over a period of time. Don't buy parts until you need em! Just do the basics to check it out. OPT

 

I just finished changing the oil. I did not notice a sweet smelling exhaust (but i dont have the greatest nose). The weep whole is not clogged and is dry. Does all this point towards the head gasket? Thanks again

 

You need to run it a while then check coolant level and check oil for any sign of coolant,plus see if it runs ok. OPT

 

Sorry for the delay.

Changed the oil and topped the bike up with water. Water entered the engine oil again. The water seal is only about 2 months old. The weep hole is dry and remained dry the entire time i ran the bike. There did seem to be alot of exhaust, but it was not white. So i tore down the bike and plan on replacing the head gasket and cylinder base gasket. Should this stop the coolant from getting into the oil?

Thanks again OPT, your advice you give on here is the best!

 

Sounds like you're on the right track. Both the water pump seal and oil seal would have to be leaking for coolant to even get in this way and still the weep hole would be wet. Make sure you clean the head and cylinder after removing the old gasket. Might be a good idea to have the head check out for any warping. OPT