Ok, so before my first ride of the season I look @ the oil level and I see a white milky substance......again. First I had the oil change in March because of the same thing and the dealer told me it was just condensation. But now I've only started it in the garage a few times since and it looks the same.
So I guess my question is how do I check to see if the head gasket is gone and if so does anyone have a ruff idea of the cost to have it replaced?

Thanks in Advance
cjuni

If you have just "started it in the garage" and have not let it idle for at least 30-45 mins ( which is not really a good thing to do) it STILL will have condensation in the crankcase sight glass. Unless you are losing coolant or have white smoke constantly out of your exhaust you really are worrying about nothing.

If you start the bike several times and don't run it through a complete heat cycle, moisture will build up in the crankcase,especially in a high humidity climate. Go take the bike for a good ride and check it again.I promise it will be gone.

Tree'd me 191!

If you mean head cover gasket, you would see oil dripping down the side of the motor, probably the left side. Haven't heard of any problems with the metal gasket between the head and the cylinders.

...but I agree with ninja191 and Nastynotch, your problem is caused by running the motor when the air is cold and accumulating condensation. It's normal and pretty unavoidable if you run the bike when the air temp is below 50 F. If you take it for a long run, it will probably clear up. It might take several long runs to totally eliminate it. My busa does the same thing. The only time I worry about it is when I change oil for storage. You can't do it without getting moisture in there unless the air is dry and 60 F or higher.

Change the oil then go for the ride to drive off any remaining water. If this was my bike I'd probably change it a few time with cheap oil, run it good and hot, maybe 100 miles, then dump it for a good syn like Motul 300V

Thanks everyone for ur reply's, I prob won't be able to take it on a ride until the weekend, but I will post the update and keep my fingers crossed!

Thanks Again
cjuni

I would assume that if it disappears from the sight glass, it's evaporated. You really think chaging the oil a few times is worthwhile? It won't be warm enough in Main for a month to change oil in a non heated garage without getting more condensation.

If it was my bike I would want to get out the water before riding it. Cant hurt, but maybe your right and just heating it up to bring it out of solution and into the intake ---- (brain fart)is your PAR blocked? If so where does that water vapor go if not into the intake?

If so where does that water vapor go if not into the intake?

?? IDK-- Doesn't the crankcase have a vent? The moisture has to go somewhere or else you'd see it until the oil was changed. For those of us who use the bike to commute in cold weather, the white sludge in the sight glass is common. It always seems to go away though.

Head gasket signs:

1. Is my coolant reserve empty?
2. Is my radiator low with water I take the cap off?
3. Is my water bubbling when I start the bike is the cap is still off.
4. Are my riding habits short runs to the store, ride, to job, etc., are?
5. Is my oil window at the same level as with reg oil looking color, my water would rise that level in the window.
6. Do I take a leakdown to see if I have all valves closed, my other cylinder next to me has a valve open, we leak and the air blows past the torn gasket, over to the other cylinder and we now show 100% leak in theory is no compression if the gasket ring burns out, feeds air to the other cylinder, etc.
7. My spark plug would look brand new, the steam made would blast the carbon off the chamber, my pistons look like they came out of a box it's that clean looking from the steamed effect.

A. Water low? No
B. Window higher? No
C. Ride without getting the bike to heat up and cook the condensation out of the engine case? Probably?

HUB

Isn't the PAR valve the crankcase vent? When I did my valve adjust that was the only hose I remember plumbed back into the intake plenum.

No. There are two different and unlinked systems.

Air in the ram is used to send fresh air into the top valve cover only.
Air in the crankcase is [neutralized pressures] plumbed to the ram. This is a linked system.

Both my 2007 and my 2012 sight glasses fogged up over winter while sitting. I change the oil after it comes out of winter sleep and the fog burns away on the first couple of long rides. Its normal.....

Ok, guys so BIG THANKs for the input......I took the bike on a long ride today about 1hr each way and the fogged up sight glass is now clear.
I was super worried that about this seeing how the bike only has 4800 miles and I didn't buy the extended warranty. I will be doin an oil change also just to make sure.

Thanks Again
cjuni

...just make sure you do it when the air temp gets up to 60 F and on a dry day.

Had this happen on my 06 too after I moved to NC and started riding year round. I notice the same thing in January. It startled me until I read online. I'd never seen this before, but then again I didn't ride year round in Ohio; in NC I could ride year round, though it was only getting 40-50 degrees daily.

My ride to work is 11 miles, and I would ride to the gym, about 1.5 miles up the road. I don't think the bike every really got hot enough to burn off all moisture because the ride was too short. Once it warmed up into the 60/70s the sight glass cleared up.

I read stories of lots of people that store engines in the winter and periodically start them up now and again, and it is not a good idea, as you have demonstrated.

If you're going to park something for the winter, just park it and leave it alone.

Just to reiterate what's already been said, starting a bike up now and again (or indeed any vehicle) that's in storage or stood idle for long periods is a BAD idea. If it's stored outside or even under cover but in a cold damp environment, a little prep,is a good idea. I've used misting oil on engines before to wet the bores and then sealed the engine air intake. A friend of mine who used to own several old british bikes would always fill the crankcase right up to the filler neck with oil for long term storage, then drain and refill when re-commisioning the bike. I guess all this is a little OTT for over-winter storage on modern bikes but still better to leave the engine idle IMO.