New 2010 oil level too high

[snackbauer]

I was concerned when I observed the oil level sight glass was full to the top even when the engine was cold.

So I drained it until the level looked like this:

And this is how much oil I drained:

I'm not sure if the dealer added oil during prep, or if it came overfilled from the factory. Not a big deal, I hope.

 

[Fred W]

You're actually a touch low, based on the sight glass picture. I like to keep mine right up to the upper dot mark.

I know that otherwise you may get the "low oil level" ***** light flashing at you, especially when the oil is cold.

 

[snackbauer]

I'll be changing the oil tomorrow, I'll take your advice, thanks. I'm used to HD's and if you fill to full mark, seems like you just get more in the air cleaner.

 

[SkooterG]

I'm going to disagree with Fred. When I do an oil change, I fill it to a level just below yours, because for some reason it does like to rise. And I have never had the 'low oil level' light come on.

It is critical to follow the OM's procedure to get an accurate measurement: Warm engine, FJR on C-stand, THEN shut down engine, wait a minute or so and check level. Did you check yours this way?

Even if yes, I wouldn't worry about it. That's not a lot of oil, and like I say, for some reason the oil level on FJRs likes to rise. As far as I know, dealers do nothing about filling or adding oil during set-up. Comes from the factory that way.

 

[Greb]

When my bike sits for an extended period of time (week or more) the oil glass fills to the top. day to day it stays at the top dot. You would have been fine IMO without draining it.

 

[RPrice]

FYI, I have this problem with oil levels higher than the top mark too!

I change my own oil/filter. After draining the old oil, installing a new filter and replacing the drain plug, I fill the oil until it appears in the sight window, about half way up the glass. Then I start the bike and let it run for a minute to distribute oil into the filter. Then I let it sit for a minute, and add oil until its about half way up the sight window.

OK, I'm done, but what always happens is that after I let the bike sit there for awhile (or go ride it), the oil rises in the sight window to the top of it!!! Happens every time.

So, next time I change the oil, I'm going to fill it to the lower mark, let it sit and see what happens. I think this might get the oil to the proper level.

Probably the tech at the dealership filled it up so it looked OK, and after it sat for awhile it was too high!!

 

[Fred W]

Ok, I think I see the oil level disconnect here:

If you put new oil in the engine and only run it for a minute or two, then shut the engine off and only let it drain down for a minute there will be lots of oil still trapped in the upper reaches of the engine. If the oil is fully warmed up, and the oil has thinned to it's operating temp viscosity, then maybe a minute s long enough. I've always managed to be patient enough to let the oil fully drain down before checking / topping up.

Either way, I'm sure there is no big deal. A little over or a little under is just fine.

edit - and FWIW, the flashing oil level ***** light is a second gen "feature".

 

[steve'o']

I follow the manufacturer's recommended quantity on oil changes. 4 liters with a new filter for a Canadian bike, and I believe it's 4.2 or 4.3 quarts for the US bikes, with a new filter. I believe I also read somewhere here on the forum, that on the center stand, the oil should be half way between the marks. I know after a fresh oil change, when the bike is on the side stand, the oil level is above the top mark.

 

[SkooterG]

I know after a fresh oil change, when the bike is on the side stand, the oil level is above the top mark.

See my post above on the proper procedure for checking the oil level. Checking the oil level on the sidestand does you NO GOOD WHATSOEVER. Besides being a PITA to try and look at. Also, you don't want to stop the engine, then put the FJR on the C-stand and check it. That will also alter the true level a small bit.

 

[SkooterG]

If you put new oil in the engine and only run it for a minute or two, then shut the engine off and only let it drain down for a minute there will be lots of oil still trapped in the upper reaches of the engine. If the oil is fully warmed up, and the oil has thinned to it's operating temp viscosity, then maybe a minute s long enough. I've always managed to be patient enough to let the oil fully drain down before checking / topping up.

I always check with engine fully warm and always wait several minutes. It still rises after the intial oil change. Go figure.

 

[steve'o']

I know after a fresh oil change, when the bike is on the side stand, the oil level is above the top mark.

See my post above on the proper procedure for checking the oil level. Checking the oil level on the sidestand does you NO GOOD WHATSOEVER. Besides being a PITA to try and look at. Also, you don't want to stop the engine, then put the FJR on the C-stand and check it. That will also alter the true level a small bit.

on the center stand, the oil should be half way between the marks. This is how I do measure the oil level. I just was stating that after an oil change when the bike happens to be on the side stand, the oil level is at the top of the glass.

 

[builderwill]

I always check with engine fully warm and always wait several minutes. It still rises after the intial oil change. Go figure.

Same here. I thought it was just me. I will change oil, warm up and let it sit for an hour or so and it will be dead on between the lines. A week later I'll just glance at it and the glass is completely full.

 

[RPrice]

I always check with engine fully warm and always wait several minutes. It still rises after the intial oil change. Go figure.

Same here. I thought it was just me. I will change oil, warm up and let it sit for an hour or so and it will be dead on between the lines. A week later I'll just glance at it and the glass is completely full.

+1 That's exactly what happens to me!!

 

[SkooterG]

I always check with engine fully warm and always wait several minutes. It still rises after the intial oil change. Go figure.

Same here. I thought it was just me. I will change oil, warm up and let it sit for an hour or so and it will be dead on between the lines. A week later I'll just glance at it and the glass is completely full.

Not just you. Actually, this is a fairly common phenomena that got a lot of airplay on the forum in the early years. I've learned not to worry about it too much. Or at all.

 

[escapefjrtist]

I always check with engine fully warm and always wait several minutes. It still rises after the intial oil change. Go figure.

Same here. I thought it was just me. I will change oil, warm up and let it sit for an hour or so and it will be dead on between the lines. A week later I'll just glance at it and the glass is completely full.

Not just you. Actually, this is a fairly common phenomena that got a lot of airplay on the forum in the early years. I've learned not to worry about it too much. Or at all.

Y'all need to go out and ride more!

Use a gallon jug [with a new filter] and the level ends up just a touch above mid-glass. It'll creep up slightly by the time 4,000 miles rolls around. With 4 liters, the level [with new filter] will end up top of / slightly above the glass.

No reason to stress over a cup of oil...

--G

 

[graler]

I am curious how his SO is going to react after he used one of the good measuring cups.

 

[escapefjrtist]

I am curious how his SO is going to react after he used one of the good measuring cups.

Good point...new thread -- how many kitchen utensils end up in the garage! :blink: :lol:

--G

 

[snackbauer]

I am curious how his SO is going to react after he used one of the good measuring cups.

I knew that was comin'. I inherited that cup when she went with the lighter, plastic measuring cup set.

Good point...new thread -- how many kitchen utensils end up in the garage!

That would be a good thread. Hey, she's always borrowing my tools. For some reason, she never wants the stuff back that I borrow from the kitchen.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

We've all gone through "Is that MY measuring cup??????????????" :assassin: Well yes dear it is, is there a problem? :dribble:

I run my oil level as Skooter does, too high will blow oil through seals, especially at high RPMs, and I understand some of these riders do that from time to time. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: