Oil Overfill Issues?

[bem136]

Interesting problem…I recently completed an oil & filter change and found I had overfilled the motor slightly, about half the distance between the full mark and the top of the sight glass. I figured that a slight over fill wasn’t overly critical because a sight glass isn’t exactly a highly accurate measuring device considering your looking at the full volume of the sump (so a reasonably small amount of additional oil volume is tolerable). However after two days of relatively fast rides (around 320 miles where I average about 36 mpg), the sight glass now shows completely filled, no air gap at all in the sight glass??

The two part question is where did the additional oil volume come from and should I now be concerned although the bike shows no obvious problems such as a crank case breather blowout or engine smoking? I know there are some big problems that can come with a significant overfill, however I initially only had a minor overfill?

Regards,

B

 

[jestal]

gone

 

[madmike2]

The two part question is where did the additional oil volume come from and should I now be concerned although the bike shows no obvious problems such as a crank case breather blowout or engine smoking? I know there are some big problems that can come with a significant overfill, however I initially only had a minor overfill?

This has been reported before. Nobody (except maybe Torch and Jestal) has answered with any certainty as to "why". The theory is that there are some small chambers that hold oil and once warmed up the oil flows into the crankcase. I don't know why oil wouldn't settle if the bike was parked on the centerstand...but...the bottom line: It's been reported before. That's why its better to fill a little short, then double check the level after running the engine and add to full.

I've overfilled mine to just below the top of the sightglass and not had a problem. But that is why I changed by method.

 

[Fencer]

I have done this twice myself. and would be interested in comments to follow.

I have changed my own oil 3 time now on the bike and had to drain some back out after a run and a few days sitting. This is after I was POSITIVE of the oil level at the time of change as being just below the top line of the bubble, letting it run and the re-settle. but after settling more for a few days without running the level went up. I am guessing oil trapped in the top of the motor seeped down to fill the glass, or possibly drained out of the filter to the glass. On my third change I set the level at half glass and was OK.

 

[Inlaw1]

Same thing. Did the oil change and added what the manual said it called for to refill. It did not bring it up to full level mark, so I added more to bring it up to level (all on center stand). After running it the sight glass was completely filled. It can't be that much and it's not coming out the blow by and no seals have blown so far so I'm not worried. And I'll know better next time.

 

[bem136]

Jestal – First thanks for the thoughts.

Yes, the sight glass was above full after I completely warmed up the motor and shut down, also waited about 10 minutes to check after a quick lunch.

Yes, center stand, even though I’m an FNG to the forum I’m not exactly new to bikes, oil ect… the conditions were on a flat concrete floor and yes quit sober since I don’t drink very often.

AGAIN center stand (please don’t ask that again :blink: ), however the engine was in fact cold, so I would have anticipated the oil being “contracted” and therefore below the top of the sight glass.

(I said enough of the center stand crap already :angry2: )!

Sorry not obsessing, simply looking for understanding of what I see.

Defiantly no foaming seen at the sight glass, even after the overfill observation.

Regards,

B

 

[ionbeam]

From the Owners Manual:

To check the engine oil level1. Place the vehicle on the center stand

NOTE:

Make sure that the vehicle is positioned straight up when checking the oil level. A slight tilt to the side can result in a false reading.

2. Start the engine, warm it up for several minutes, and then turn it off.

3. Wait a few minutes until the oil settles, and then check the oil level through the check window located at the bottom-left side of the crank-case.

Fencer sez:

the oil level at the time of change as being just below the top line of the bubble, letting it run and the re-settle. but after settling more for a few days without running the level went up.

As Fencer notes, follow the owners manual. Do it the same way and you should get the same results.

Jestal mentions this as well as bucket full more.

===================================================

Edited:

I see BEM posted while I was still typing.

however the engine was in fact cold, so I would have anticipated the oil being “contracted” and therefore below the top of the sight glass

Running the engine will heat the oil, but more to the point is that the oil will get pumped into all the little nooks and crannies where it will be temporarily held. Checking your oil "after few minutes" will be enough time for some of the oil to drain back, but not all the oil.

 

[Chips]

Try this experiment. With the bike running, drop it on to the sidestand to dismount, and pull it on to the center stand. Now shut it off and check the level 5 minutes later. Then take the bike for a ride, pull into the same spot, shut off the engine, drop it on to the side stand to dismount then pull it on to the center stand. Wait 5 minutes and check the level. I found that to be the difference between full and over-full. FWIW with the filter changed as well, I put 4 Qts in not 4.25 Qts as called for in the manual.

 

[JimLor]

I've found the same rising oil level. Now when I change the oil I fill it to ~1/3 to 1/2 in the sight glass and in a couple of rides it's near the top!

 

[markjenn]

I have no explanation for why the oil tends to rise a bit in the first few runs after an oil change, but it happens consistently to mine.

Put in 4.2 qts and it will be near top of sight glass after the post-oil-change "leak check" run. Run it a few times, and it will be out-of-sight high.

Put in 4.0 qts and it will be mid-way on the sight glass after oil change. Run it a few times, and it will be at the full mark.

So I put in exactly 4 qts now. No worries. Although I don't think a 0.2 qt overfill matters either.

- Mark

 

[Ignacio]

Hasn't come up in some months, but a commonly discussed issue.

 

[sprint_st]

Dumped my oil and filter at about 300 miles and same thing happened to me. Level garage floor. Put in four qts and it was at the bottom of the window after running and an waiting. Added about 0.2 qts of oil, ran and waited, all was fine. Next morning it was a full site glass and has been ever since. Had the same thing happen on a Concours but it came back down all by itself. Had the a similar thing happen on my Sprint. Measured oil on dipstick before a trip. Just touching the stick. Added oil to proper level, ran it and let it sit. Oil was way above the mark when I got back. Used a Mity-Vac to lower the oil and it remained on the mark until the next oil change. Not going to worry about it.