Oil consumption

[bajaleo]

Twice now I've had to add oil, within approximately 1500 miles. Oil level indicator light comes on, and sure enough, the level is low per the sight glass.

Is this a known issue, or is it a symtom of something going on with my particular bike?

Thanks, Leo

2007 FJR

 

[RossKean]

Twice now I've had to add oil, within approximately 1500 miles. Oil level indicator light comes on, and sure enough, the level is low per the sight glass.

Is this a known issue, or is it a symtom of something going on with my particular bike?

Thanks, Leo

2007 FJR

Something isn't right. Like most people on this forum, I never add oil between changes.

Ross

 

[SkooterG]

You have a problem. 226,000 miles on my first FJR and never added a drop of oil.

 

[Fairlaner]

Who does your service?

R

 

[bajaleo]

I have not had the bike long enough to have done a service. I bought it in December, and have only put approximately 1500 miles on it. It seems to run just fine. Pretty damn fast, actually, although I've never ridden another FJR to compare with.

These aren't the replies I was expecting. I wonder what's going on with my engine.

Leo

 

[SkooterG]

Do you see smoke coming out of your exhaust at all? How may miles total on your FJR? Are you sure it was full to begin with? How are you checking the oil level (specifically how do you check the oil window?)

 

[bajaleo]

Do you see smoke coming out of your exhaust at all? How may miles total on your FJR? Are you sure it was full to begin with? How are you checking the oil level (specifically how do you check the oil window?)

I see no smoke coming from the exhaust. 16k miles on the bike. I check the sight glass with the bike on the centerstand on my relatively level driveway.

 

[FJReady]

If you're certain its using oil, it should be giving some clues as to exit method; drips underneath or oily rsidue in one (or both) exhaust pipes. Have you checked the condition of the spark plugs?

I don't recall any posts ever about excessive oil use, so something usual is going on me thinks. :huh:

 

[bucky]

You are either leaking it or burning it. Check the easy things first. Ride the bike to heat the oil up to temp and park over a clean spot and observe. Check the drainplug area and bottom of the oil pan for telltale signs of leakage. Check the oil filter seal area. I bought a used Yamaha V-Star 1300 from the original owner with only 1k miles. He had the 600 mile oil change done at the dealer and the doufus there when he changed the oil filter, failed to notice the old o-ring on the filter did not come off with the filter and spun the new one right over the top. This was just a very, very slow leak. But could have been worse. That area is under pressure and would leak alot more with the motor running and the oil nice and hot. So check that area closely. Good luck and let us know what you find. Got any warranty left?

 

[ahchiu]

The only time my bike burned oil is when I ride it hard all day (mostly 3rd gear and around 6-8k RPM) and the level came down a little,I'm going to throw this out but are you checking the oil after you bike has been sitting for awhile or are you checking soon after your ride, it takes time for the oil to settle, I check after it has sat overnight before I start it in the morning.

 

[bluesdog]

The oil level warning light coming on may be misleading.

More than a few FJRs, mine included, have overly-sensitive oil level sensors. Combine that with fresh engine oil and a cool-ish day, and you may get the light coming on for a brief time until the engine is completely warmed up.

I have learned to ignore the thing, although I'd definitely pay attention if it happened to come on in the middle of a ride! :blink:

I change oil/filter @ 5,000 Km, fill to the upper dot on the sight glass, use new crush washer on the drain plug etc. Never had to add any oil between changes.

 

[bajaleo]

You are either leaking it or burning it. Good luck and let us know what you find. Got any warranty left?

Unfortunately no warranty left. I've been parking on a broken down cardboard box and can say that it is definitely not leaking. I will check the exhaust pipes for oil residue, but at this point, I have to believe that the engine is burning oil.

Re: waiting to check level, I am giving the oil plenty of time to return to the crankcase. The two times the light has come on, the level was definitely down.

 

[PhilJet09]

How much oil did you add each time?

 

[bajaleo]

How much oil did you add each time?

Approximately a quarter of a quart bottle both times I added oil. I think the quart bottle I bought the first time I saw that the level was low is now about half full, maybe a little less.

 

[SkooterG]

How much oil did you add each time?

Approximately a quarter of a quart bottle both times I added oil. I think the quart bottle I bought the first time I saw that the level was low is now about half full, maybe a little less.

Well that's not much. In fact, I am suprised a 1/4 of a quart would cause the low oil light to come on. Still..... it shouldn't be losing any.

 

[escapefjrtist]

How much oil did you add each time?

Approximately a quarter of a quart bottle both times I added oil. I think the quart bottle I bought the first time I saw that the level was low is now about half full, maybe a little less.

Start with a fresh oil change. Yamaha calls for 4 liters (4.23 qts) with a filter, which typically puts oil at the top of the glass. Closely monitor the level from there. At least you'll be starting from a known.

As others have noted, healthy FJRs don't use oil.

--G

 

[supertankerm60a3]

Mine will go down 2 quarts and show a dry sight glass before the light comes on. If yours is coming on, being only 1/4 OF ONE QUART low, your sensor may have issues.

 

[carlson_mn]

When my Gen1 was burning oil similar to as mentioned above - running hard all day in the twisties clicking through 2-4th gear the light would come on and it would be below the bottom sight window and it would take a solid 1/2+ quart to get it back up near the top. If the oil is below the sight window or just barely visible and below the bottom mark the oil sensor will and should come on.

I have never heard of a 06+ Gen2 burning oil before to be honest. I ride my 08 the same way as my 04 and it does not burn oil.

Good luck but as you are thinking for some reason it seems to be burning oil. Make sure all the hoses are connected to the airbox so no unfiltered air is getting into it. That happened to somebody on here once and wore his cylinders down resulting in low compression/oil burning.

If for some reason it is only leaking while warmed up you would notice oil residue.

 

[road runner]

This is not normal with only 16,000 miles. It sounds like it's burning it. So it's either a valve guide or stuck ring. I really doubt a valve guide.

Check the plugs to see if they all look the same. While you're there check the compression. This will just give you an indication if 1 cylinder is using oil , or if all are.

I have seen these symptoms on high mileage engines and it was stuck rings. Did the shock treatment of ring free and viola, no more oil use. The shock treatment is one 12 oz bottle of Ring Free per tank of gas, for 4 tanks.

I don't make or sell Ring Free, just a tech that has had good results.