Just changed the oil in an '02 kx125. noticed a bit of grey coloring. Put new oil in. Rode for less than 30 minutes and noticed that the site glass on the tranny was showing completely grey oil.

any ideas? possibly water leaking in somehow to the tranny?

Edited by Sean Mason, 07 May 2012 - 12:09 AM.

Sean Mason, on 07 May 2012 - 12:08 AM, said:

In my cr my aluminum clutch plates almost immediately changed the color of my oil the same way even in such a short time . When I changed to steel clutch plates that reduced the silverish color change. Not sure if this is specificly the case here but I'd bet it is. When I changed to a tusk clutch set with steel plates I didn't have that problem anymore.

hawaiidirtrider, on 07 May 2012 - 12:26 AM, said:

+1

Siunds like u are getin water mixed with your oil check the water pump seals etc

hawaiidirtrider, on 07 May 2012 - 12:26 AM, said:

thanks for the consideration.  i will drop the oil today to have a close look at it, but just want to eliminate the possibility of water in the oil.
if it is as you say (aluminum plates), is that a problem or nothing to worry about?

Yep clutch plates for sure if it was water the oil would be a milky white color. Normaly you can kind of see the mitallic color of the paticals that are in the oil from your plates, somewhat like a two tone color. If that makes any sense....

moose_338, on 07 May 2012 - 05:18 AM, said:

color is definitely grey/silver.  i dropped the oil and don't see any separation of fluids (ie. water separation).  

so question:  is it fine to keep running the oil even when its turning such a color?  does it mean the clutch is almost gone and/or needing replaced?

how much oil are you usually running in the tranny?  it calls for .70 liters.....in our other honda bikes we run 1 full liter even though they call for about .68 to .70 liters.

thanks!

Sean Mason, on 07 May 2012 - 06:23 AM, said:

In my kx 250 I always run 1 quart, it calls for around .7 also. In my CR 125 if I run over just a slight amount it will come out my trans overflow tube splattering my back tire pretty good. Either way I dont think over flow of either will hurt, in the CR its just spews the extra out, I have never noticed that with any of my kx's though

Sean Mason, on 07 May 2012 - 06:23 AM, said:

I don't know..kinda depends. I change my oil in my cr after every ride or every other ride and my clutch isn't that old. Since I burnt out a clutch in the mountains one year I just change out the clutch after a year or so depending on your riding habits. I abuse the heck out of mine and the tusk clutch kits are cheap and good so I get those. Others swear by oem clutches but I burned out my oem clutch so it isn't a biggie to me and its way cheaper not buying original. I used to use regular walmart supertech motor oil then later changed to the ATF which works better. Again others use oem type oil but that's up to you if you want to pay that much more or not..If you haven't changed your clutch in a while. I'd think about changing it but don't worry about the oil changing color with the aluminum plate shavings much. After you change your oil the oil will change color in just a couple of minutes as long as you have the friction on those aluminum plates.

i dropped the oil and let it sit in a covered container. i checked it today, definitely no signs of water but i was surprised to see clean looking oil and normal color. on the bottom of the jug though was grey sludge which felt like it had very fine sand in it. so i am getting more convinced it is the aluminum clutch plates combined with a period of clutch abuse the majority of folk on here say it is. the oil also had a strong burnt smell.
thanks for all the responses.

Edited by Sean Mason, 10 May 2012 - 12:00 PM.

Put these in and be done with it.

http://www.rockymoun...Set-Steel-Drive

Sean Mason, on 10 May 2012 - 11:59 AM, said: