Oil Overfilled from Factory... and Idle Too Low

[ELP_JC]

Hey gang, just brought my baby home after 2 days of panel swapping, and taking care of several things now that I had the bike apart. Man, is it hard to undress these beasts. The sequence has to be perfect.

Anyway, even after just shutting the motor off, oil completely fills the window. And it should be about 3/4 max after all oil has dripped down, which means it should be about halfway after shutting motor off.

Just hung up with dealer, who said Yamaha puts the 'right' amount of oil in there, and they never had any problem with it. I don't know how sensitive these motors are to overfilling, but many can blow seals.

So what's your advice? Should I leave it alone until the 600-mile oil change, or should I drain enough to bring the oil into view? Thanks.

And the idle speed is a bit low. Will wait until I use the bike more, and do it at 600 miles if at all, but where the hell is the idle adjustment screw? The only thread I found about that should be on a GenI bike, because I didn't see crap on my '07, and I had all the panels off. To be honest, I didn't look for the darn knob, so could have missed it, and hence this post. But looked for it everywhere once it was assembled and running, and couldn't find it. Did GenII get away from idle adjustment? It's right about 900, and read it should be 1K or 1050, no? Thanks.

JC

 

[jdeez1]

Not sure about GenII idle adjustment but I would not want it low as too low rpm at idle can provide inadaquate oil pressure. Dumb question: are you checking your oil on sidestand or centerstand?

 

[Silent]

Idle screw is under the right side pannel just below the frain member (under the tank) You can see it without taking any panels off. I'll go snap a pic and add it in.

--Edit-- A Pic's worth 1k words. Speaking of 1,000 set the idle to 1,000 and be done B)

 

[escapefjrtist]

Increasing the idle speed to 1000 - 1100 is definitely the right thing to do. Shift quality will improve due to less rpm drop. As far as oil level...lean the bike slightly to the right and see how fast the level comes down. (you'll need a helper for this) I think you'll find that the level is at the very top of the glass. Unless you truly have an overfill, there is nothing to worry about.

--G

 

[pawtracks]

The oil sight glass window is worthless.

Way too many variables to tell you "it has to read here" or the world will end.

With all the horor stories of "dealer setups" or "unknown previous owners" and other what ifs I would just change the oil and be done with it. Don't go by the sight glass, just put in 4.25 qts (assuming a filter change), DO NOT USE A TORQUE WRENCH, and go ride.

Changing your oil a couple of extra times outside the yamaha schedule when it is brand new can't hurt any.

Cheap insurance to me. This way you can enjoy your bike AND sleep well at night

 

[bob-st]

My oil level was also high from the dealer. In my experience, too much oil is not a good thing.

There is no penalty for changing your oil too often, but (on some bikes) there can be a penalty using too much oil.

Bob

 

[C&C]

Just check your oil as per the owners manual; put the bike on the center stand on a level surface, start the engine (the oil should leave the site glass when the engine is running), run for a minute or two, shut off the engine and check/watch the level (it should rise as the oil drains back to the pan). It should be quite obvious if the engine is overfilled on how quickly the oil goes above the site glass top. If it very slowly covers up the top, it probably is not overfilled to a dangerous amount, if at all.

 

[ELP_JC]

Thanks a lot people. ANd yes, pics are worth a thousand words. I just noticed it's also pictured on the 'assembly manual'; I got one since I did the assembly (plus panel swap).

I'll set the idle speed to 1,050, and also adjust the throttle play, which is about 8mm right now (should be 3 to 5).

By the way, did you guys know dealer is supposed to check throttle body synch at PDI? It's in page 16-F of the assembly manual, in case you want it done. Nothing was done to my bike. There's a ton of stuff dealers are supposed to do, but I bet cash money nobody does it. I have a full copy of the assembly manual; it's cool.

I noticed a bit of the surging while climbing from 4 to 5K' yesterday, but nothing major. Will probably do the TB myself at some point, and that should take care of it. Have a great weekend ahead gang.

JC

 

[dgfella]

Beware, too much oil will cause your bike to run hot. I've had this experience myself. Check the oil as per the manual, and shoot for the middle of the window. I think that too much oil cause the pump/engine to work harder and you'll notice the fan coming on much more frequently than before.

my 2 cents...

 

[ELP_JC]

Hi gang. Well, checked the oil by tipping the bike to the right while my daughter was watching the sight glass, and it's barely overfilled. As soon as I tip the bike a bit off balance to the right, oil level drops on the gass where it's visible. No biggie, I guess. After the change, will set it at about 3/4.

And after motor is fully warmed, idle was at 1,050rpm, exactly where it should be, so will leave it alone for now.

Thanks again for your help.

JC

 

[escapefjrtist]

With the risk of sending this to the NEPRT, change the oil at 600 miles, add four (4) yes, four quarts and forget about it. The oil will end up at mid window, and you'll never be guessing again...

--G

 

[ELP_JC]

With the risk of sending this to the NEPRT, change the oil at 600 miles, add four (4) yes, four quarts and forget about it. The oil will end up at mid window, and you'll never be guessing again...--G

I'll do exactly that and see where it ends up after a ride. Since I have a 5-qt jug, will add until 3/4 if needed, and note the total amount, so next time I can just add whatever necessary. The reason it might not be exactly 4 qts like you suggested is I usually let the oil drain overnight, and a bit more might come out. But 4 qts will be almost perfect, I know that. Thanks a lot for that suggestion.

JC