Looking at an 08 ST1300 with 120k miles, owner says oil in coolant. Could this be a head gasket or does anyone have any other suggestions
Oil in Coolant
- Thread starter 1950Randy
- Start date
My only suggestion would be to *RUN AWAY*...
I haven't heard of the issue in any ST1300s so... something is seriously fouled up....
Again... Run Away!
I haven't heard of the issue in any ST1300s so... something is seriously fouled up....
Again... Run Away!
Unless it's nearly free and you have the skills and want a project, I'd probably pass. There are many good ST1300s for sale here and other places at reasonable prices.
A side note... I had a similar (unfounded) scare with my ST1100 where I thought I had coolant in my oil. See that thread here... there are some good suggestions in there for helping diagnose this type of issue.
Anyway, best of luck with this and welcome to the forum.
A side note... I had a similar (unfounded) scare with my ST1100 where I thought I had coolant in my oil. See that thread here... there are some good suggestions in there for helping diagnose this type of issue.
Anyway, best of luck with this and welcome to the forum.
A bead gasket is the least terrible thing it could be. There could also be coolant in the oil.
Shawn K
Professional Cat Confuser
I wouldn't rule out an issue with the oil cooler (liquid-cooled).
Nothing that can't be fixed. Just a matter of time, money, and desire.
Nothing that can't be fixed. Just a matter of time, money, and desire.
head gasket is one possibility, another possibility is a cracked head from overheating. Neither one is something you want to get involved with unless you have a spare engine to swap in. BTW, regarding the other comment of coolant in the oil also being possible. Once a head is cracked or a gasket is breached, either one can happen. Its possible to have coolant leak out and then find its way down into the crankcase by gravity. Since the oil pressure is higher than the coolant pressure, if a common passage is breached then oil going into the coolant is more likely than the other way around, but either way you've got major problems to address.
Why don't we slow down and back up a minute 
WHY does the owner think there is oil in his coolant? Did someone tell him that?
Is his mechanical seal (coolant/oil) weeping?
Is it simply a coolant leak mixed with road dirt giving the appearance of oil and coolant mixed?
Sometimes things are not always how they seem (or are repeated)
I would want to know a little bit more about the bike, and comments from the owner, before deciding what to do.
I once purchased a triumph with only a few hundred miles on it really cheap, because the owner swore the engine was toast.
Turned out it was simply the flange collar on the header pipe that dropped down out of place and was rattling around against the center stand
WHY does the owner think there is oil in his coolant? Did someone tell him that?
Is his mechanical seal (coolant/oil) weeping?
Is it simply a coolant leak mixed with road dirt giving the appearance of oil and coolant mixed?
Sometimes things are not always how they seem (or are repeated)
I would want to know a little bit more about the bike, and comments from the owner, before deciding what to do.
I once purchased a triumph with only a few hundred miles on it really cheap, because the owner swore the engine was toast.
Turned out it was simply the flange collar on the header pipe that dropped down out of place and was rattling around against the center stand
I agree with Larry, you/we need to know more.
If you are a spanner guy then maybe it could be a good buy, if you're going to pay someone to diagnose/repair then it is probably a non starter.
BUT, it would have to be cheap, as in giving it away cheap.
This site will be a good source of information to you along the way.
Good luck.
Upt'North.
If you are a spanner guy then maybe it could be a good buy, if you're going to pay someone to diagnose/repair then it is probably a non starter.
BUT, it would have to be cheap, as in giving it away cheap.
This site will be a good source of information to you along the way.
Good luck.
Upt'North.
I think I saw this on Kijiji a few days ago (the listing's gone now)
Selling by a wrecker/dealer (stated oil in the coolant) with and had a working replacment motor to swap in. Was only a couple of grand with the spare motor as I recall. The bike appeared to be in very good shape otherwise.
Selling by a wrecker/dealer (stated oil in the coolant) with and had a working replacment motor to swap in. Was only a couple of grand with the spare motor as I recall. The bike appeared to be in very good shape otherwise.
- Joined
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I would be looking elsewhere......
Explains why the ad is gone. What are they asking for it now?
So this is a bicycle?
pedal might be the word you're looking for....
Pedaling a bike without pedals would be quite the trick and tougher than peddling an ST without an engine.flyfisher said:
Technically it's the seller who's peddling it.
Play on words. I happen to be nutty enough to like puns.