Oil Change Tip

[Turbo911]

I changed my first oil a couple of weeks ago.....after riding with some buddies, I was told my exhaust emitted an oil odor. I worried since my bike is brand new with only 1000kms(600miles) on it. After trying to diagnose, we concluded I had put too much oil in the engine.......it made sense because I had also noticed a torque reduction since.

SO, the tip here to to ensure you put the recommened amount oil into the engine and not a drop more!

[Clint]

Umm, yeah. RTFM.

Musta been WAY too much.

[geoffsimpson]

Yah, not sure if that's a tip...but a reminder to be more carefull

[Pinhead78]

Originally Posted by Turbo911

I changed my first oil a couple of weeks ago.....I had put too much oil in the engine......

Any chance that you remember how many quarts you put in?

[Turbo911]

I kept checking the "looking glass" for the level but never ensured if the bike was properly leveled. I used a motorcycle jack so I assumed it was level, but the ground wasn't.....so I kept filling to reach the midway point - was left with very little oil in the gallon.

I guess the real tip here is to ensure your bike is properly leveled when changing the oil and a reminder not to pour in more than what the manual suggests!

[geoffsimpson]

Originally Posted by Turbo911

I guess the real tip here is to ensure your bike is properly leveled when changing the oil and a reminder not to pour in more than what the manual suggests!

now THAT...is a tip. I usually have my seat off when i do it, and use a level to ensure that its sitting as flat as possible

[Clint]

It sounds like you did it correctly. A slight out-of-level condition isn't going to change the indicated level much at all. What led you to believe you had too much in?

[Turbo911]

Originally Posted by Clint

What led you to believe you had too much in?

The fact I had a torque reduction and smell of oil when riding behind me.......When I checked the oil at the correct level, I was way over the half way mark. I now drained some oil out and brought to correct level......Got my torque back and no smell of oil.

[Ray Nielsen]

I've found that 3 Qts. and 19 Oz. of oil works well. When level, and after running the engine to fill the filter, the oil level is mid window when cold, rising toward the high mark when fully warmed.

Any more than this results in blow-by and oil burning. I suspect it's due to the V-twin design and the pulsating pressure variations in an overfilled crankcase.

Ray Nielsen, and sitting out rain today in Minneapolis.

[phil.dye]

Originally Posted by Turbo911

I kept checking the "looking glass" for the level but never ensured if the bike was properly leveled. I used a motorcycle jack so I assumed it was level, but the ground wasn't.....so I kept filling to reach the midway point - was left with very little oil in the gallon.

I guess the real tip here is to ensure your bike is properly leveled when changing the oil and a reminder not to pour in more than what the manual suggests!

Originally Posted by geoffsimpson

now THAT...is a tip. I usually have my seat off when i do it, and use a level to ensure that its sitting as flat as possible

well that and don't run with scissors....

[07M50zAllDaWay]

Refil with 3000ml oil
add 400ml if filter change is done with oil change

Don't forget to run engine and get it warm before you check level, oil expands with heat.

[ranger04]

when I fill mine its level, I fill to full mark, let run minute and top off to full mark-no problems yet

[Rockyrikoko]

I always thought you were supposed to change your oil filter when you change the oil but according to the service manual suzuki instructs to change it only at the 600 and 1,100 mile services (between 0-14,500 miles). Any thoughts on this? Is changing the filter every 3k miles overkill?

[ghostadv]

Originally Posted by Rockyrikoko

I always thought you were supposed to change your oil filter when you change the oil but according to the service manual suzuki instructs to change it only at the 600 and 1,100 mile services (between 0-14,500 miles). Any thoughts on this? Is changing the filter every 3k miles overkill?

You must've been lookin at some other sort of oil, cuz I've been told to change the engine oil at least every 3,000 or 4,000 miles. Maybe you were looking at the shaft drive oil?

[c44588]

....check yer oil, m'am?

[Rockyrikoko]

Originally Posted by ghostadv

You must've been lookin at some other sort of oil, cuz I've been told to change the engine oil at least every 3,000 or 4,000 miles. Maybe you were looking at the shaft drive oil?

You change your oil as often as you need to, but it seems Suzuki feels the filter will last longer than one oil change.

Changed the oil today and left the old filter on there. I figure if Suzuki says the filter is good for 10,400 miles and if I change it every 7k I'll be on top of things.

[nuclearbike]

I never trust that oil window. I have a funnel that has volume measures. A "must have" for exact oil determination. I only use the window to assure myself the engine has oil (i.e. not bone dry).

[NateHarris]

if you changed the filter at the same time, then you would have needed something like 3.7 qts. WIthout, then a little over 3. However, it didn't sound like you had that much over, so I am truly puzzled as to what was going on here. Additionally, if you were burning enough oil to measurably decrease torque, then you would be leaving a cloud of smoke behind you...

Sumptin's up....