Oil consumption

[Geezer]

I wonder how you use the engine. Do you baby it and keep the RPMs down and just ride it gently or do you push it hard and make it work? If you baby it too much then you may be causing carbon to build up and that could lead to rings sticking. The FJR likes to be run hard once in a while.

 

[ynotride]

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.

I didn't notice any oil leaks or crap on your pipes when we swapped your tires a few weeks ago If you want to stop by again to change your plugs and oil let me know. I will be out of the country from June 1st thru 25th so it will have to be before that.

 

[A41Billy]

Same thing here. My oil light came on the other day. Checked it, was low so added 1/4 qt. This brought it up to the 1/2 way mark on the glass. This was after a spirited ride, running it up to 6-8k rpm. I went for another ride and added another 1/4 qt to raise the level just about to the top line. Now I guess I'll have to run it good again and see if she drops.

 

[SkooterG]

Well....... interestingly enough. In over 300k miles of FJR ownership I recently experienced oil consumption for the first time.

This was while riding in Nevada at ..... *ahem* 'above average' velocities. Several hours worth of WFO where engine was taching at 8800-9200 rpm.

My red oil light came on. As I was pulling over it went out, so I continued thinking it was just an anomaly. By the time I made it to the next fuel stop 180 miles later, the light would was staying on 80% of the time. I was watching the temp gauge and no higher than normal temps so I continued to the next gas station. (I didn't have any oil on my anways and was in the middle of nowhere)

There I checked my oil and I couldn't see ANY in the sight glass!!!

I added a full quart and that brought the level up to the very top of the sight glass. (Above the 'max' mark) So it seems I burned approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of a quart while doing the high load, high rpm riding. In the week since, everything seems to be back to normal with no change in the oil level for normal riding.

I wasn't real happy about this as my first FJR never lost oil, high speed riding or not, but I realize I was putting my 105,000 mile engine through some pretty strenuous operation. I guess burning 3/4 of quart while putting it through the abuse I put it through is not that big of a deal in the great scheme of things.

 

[kaitsdad]

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

Bingo. You have no idea where the oil level was at when you purchased the bike. Do an oil and filter change. This will give you an exact level in the glass to compare against.

 

[A41Billy]

Well....... interestingly enough. In over 300k miles of FJR ownership I recently experienced oil consumption for the first time.

This was while riding in Nevada at ..... *ahem* 'above average' velocities. Several hours worth of WFO where engine was taching at 8800-9200 rpm.

My red oil light came on. As I was pulling over it went out, so I continued thinking it was just an anomaly. By the time I made it to the next fuel stop 180 miles later, the light would was staying on 80% of the time. I was watching the temp gauge and no higher than normal temps so I continued to the next gas station. (I didn't have any oil on my anways and was in the middle of nowhere)

There I checked my oil and I couldn't see ANY in the sight glass!!!

I added a full quart and that brought the level up to the very top of the sight glass. (Above the 'max' mark) So it seems I burned approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of a quart while doing the high load, high rpm riding. In the week since, everything seems to be back to normal with no change in the oil level for normal riding.

I wasn't real happy about this as my first FJR never lost oil, high speed riding or not, but I realize I was putting my 105,000 mile engine through some pretty strenuous operation. I guess burning 3/4 of quart while putting it through the abuse I put it through is not that big of a deal in the great scheme of things.

Somehow I feel better knowing the Master-miler has the same issue. Although my FJR only has 17k on the clock. So running her 6-9K rpm isnt normal riding?

 

[HotRodZilla]

Somehow I feel better knowing the Master-miler has the same issue. Although my FJR only has 17k on the clock. So running her 6-9K rpm isnt normal riding?

No dude...You don't understand Skooter. Running 8800-9000rpm for almost 24 hours straight is not normal. For the record: Skooter is not "normal" either.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Start fresh like Kaitsdad said and look for oil from exhaust, and leaks.

If you see no leaks, and no smoke, and it uses oil, time to do a compression test.

Have a friend ride behind you and under hard acceleration and deceleration see if they see smoke.

Zip.. For the record: Skooter is not "normal" either.

Gunny! +1K

 

[carlson_mn]

Hmmmm ... so it does happen to other people. I should check my oil. Just got done with 1500 miles in Arkansas. My 04 burned oil when run hard for a full day with lots of engine braking and high rpm action.

 

[RaYzerman19]

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

This is the place to start. I'm guessing you weren't the one who did the last oil change, so it is questionable where the oil level really was when you got it....... I doubt it's burning oil or you would see residue/smoke in the exhaust. As for checking the level in the sight glass, the instructions are a bit ambiguous, but warm it up and let sit for 5 minutes on the centerstand. If you wait a long time (hours) you will get a higher reading which is not likely correct.

 

[Gerry.GEG]

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

I guess depending on mileage, I would say something's wrong. Very few Japanese engines use oil if changed regularly, not beaten to death, and not super high mileage.

I've not heard anyone adding oil to their FJR - but I'm not familiar with all the higher-milage riders here.

 

[Iris]

My bike was is (edit) using alot of oil too. I know for sure that it's not leaking.

Every 3000 miles I was putting in like a half a quart....sometimes more...like even a quart. I ride it pretty hard and it has 89k miles on it. I tried the ring free and it seem to have helped a little, but it didn't cure it; at least not yet. I may try another bottle of it.

I did the ring free at the end of last year. I could feel the bike had more power right away. I have noticed though that at the end of a 300 mile ride, my oil is down a little bit.

I started with the oil at the top dot and now after 4 (300 mile) rides, it's down to the bottom dot.

I don't have any answers. I just wanted to chime in and say that I am experiencing the same issue. I will keep my eye on this thread.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I think I was down some after riding with Fairlaner one day last May.

 

[bajaleo]

Update 7/1/2012

Ok, so I changed the oil last weekend per suggestions from several forum members. New oil filter & Rotella 15W-40 at 18,311 miles so as to have a clean starting point. After a few days of my daily commute to work and back, and a quick blast to Santa Cruz this weekend (~800 miles of 85+ mph), my oil light came on. I added 16 oz. (1/2 quart) to bring the level back up to the middle of the sight glass at 19,566 miles. That equates to about 1250 miles. I know that most of the replies are saying that this is unusual, but the bike seems to run really good, and there are NO leaks. Maybe this bike, for whatever reason, just uses a little oil. I don't know. I am the second owner, and cannot speak to the kind of care the bike received from the previous owner. I guess I'm ok with it, as long as I am aware of it, and stay on top of it.

Suggestions?

Leo

 

[FJRBluesman]

^^^Yes. Compression test time.

It may be running well to you, but there are signs something is not right. My bike burns zero oil that I can tell. I never fill it at all or notice the level is lower in the sight glass between oil changes.

One pint of oil is needed every 1200 miles, and it's not leaking out, it's consuming it thru the motor. You could have valve guide issues or ring issues. A CT will help tell.

Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[James]

My bike started using a bit of oil on my trip to Reno (WFO). If I'm riding all day, highway speeds, I'll use a bit less than a quart every thousand miles- maybe 3/4 . If I'm riding around town, I won't use a drop between oil changes. Talking to my Yamaha dealer was told they consider anything less than a quart/thousand within the normal range. Went up the chain of command a bit & got the same answer from everyone. So I carry a quart w/me. A pain, yes, but cheap piece of mind when I'm on the road.

 

[road runner]

My bike started using a bit of oil on my trip to Reno (WFO). If I'm riding all day, highway speeds, I'll use a bit less than a quart every thousand miles- maybe 3/4 . If I'm riding around town, I won't use a drop between oil changes. Talking to my Yamaha dealer was told they consider anything less than a quart/thousand within the normal range. Went up the chain of command a bit & got the same answer from everyone. So I carry a quart w/me. A pain, yes, but cheap piece of mind when I'm on the road.

That is the standard ******** answer from most companies. If they told me that, I would either say it's using 2 quarts every 1000 or trade the bike and say the oil consumption is OK "normal" according to them.

If or when mine starts using oil it's getting traded.

 

[bucky]

Well at your mileage you obviously are an outlier when it comes to oil usage, not at all normal. Dumping in a quart every 2,500 miles vs either fixing the problem or getting rid of the bike are your two alternatives. Me? I would monitor and if it don't get any worse, live with it. Either that or spend alot of time and/or money seeing what is the problem. Oil is cheap.

 

[bajaleo]

I am in the process of performing the "shock treatment" (4 x 1 bottle of Yamaha Ring Free per tankful of gas. I hope to have time this weekend to do a compression test. Depending on how the plugs look, I may replace them also. Any suggestions on spark plugs?

Leo

 

[SkooterG]

My bike started using a bit of oil on my trip to Reno (WFO). If I'm riding all day, highway speeds, I'll use a bit less than a quart every thousand miles- maybe 3/4 . If I'm riding around town, I won't use a drop between oil changes. Talking to my Yamaha dealer was told they consider anything less than a quart/thousand within the normal range. Went up the chain of command a bit & got the same answer from everyone. So I carry a quart w/me. A pain, yes, but cheap piece of mind when I'm on the road.

That sucks. Definitely something wrong there. But cheaper to add a quart of oil every 1,000 miles than to do an engine, or head rebuild.