How common is it to get condensation in the oil of your ATV? Has anyone ever experienced this? I usually check my oil when riding in the winter, to see if the level rose a bit, I have never seen it happen. Plus wouldn't the oil be milky looking if there was water in it, synthetic or not? If this is a big problem, you would think that Polaris would have made a 'Water in Oil' light standard on the ATV's.

 

Get it all the time in my Scrambler 500.

First time I seen milky oil at the top of the dipstick & around the top of the oil tank I about freaked. I figured that there was anti-freeze in the oil. It is more obvious in the winter, but it has happened in the 50-60* weather also.

 

it depends on where it is stored and how long you ride and how easily condensation gets in there. the water will evaporate after a while on a longer ride. a little milky stuff on the top of the dipstick isnt that big of a deal. same thing in cars, if you have a short commute you will slowly accumulate a small amount of condensation in your engine. those with 20 minutes or more where their engines are at operating temp for a longer time will experience it less.

 

Don't do short runs in the winter, make sure you ALWAYS bring it up to temperature every time you start it in cold weather or be prepared to change the oil often.

Jim

 

Hey Wingnut55. I agree with jimmypsp700 about letting engines heat up. Also I have seen that a bad or missing thermostat in an engine causes the engine to run too cool which results in condensation.
BryceGTX