Checking oil level

[Jez]

Hi All,

This topic may appear to be about a mundane subject but as my early MK2 is my first ever 'non wet sump' bike I feel the need to garner the opinions of those more experienced than I.

I have read with horror about the TDMs thirst for oil and the consequences of not keeping it topped up. I always thought mine does not use oil, it doesn't burn it nor does it leak - but, blinking flip, the level goes down. Or does it? I do top it up so it must go somewhere.

I seem to get different level readings depending on time of day, amount of time since last use, relative air humidity, height above sea level and cleanliness of under pants. Sometimes the window appears full and sometimes empty.

I am interested to know if there is any recommended procedure for checking this? What do you guys and gals think?

[dapleb]

The way to get consistent measurements is to:

Warm the boike up for at least 15 mins.
Sit the bike on a TOTALLY level ground when measuring.
Make sure bike perfectly vertical when measuring.

Without these things you will get varying measurements.

Cheers
dapleb

[jandreas]

Hi jez! My TDM is a -98 mod. MkII and this is how I do for checking oil level. If it's the right way I don't know but my engine is nearly as fresh as new after 72300 miles.
First, run the engine warm! Not running at idle for some minutes but drive it for a 5 - 7 miles tour.
Then, stop on a level ground, let the engine run on idle for a couple of minutes and stop it. Let it stay in 1st gear.
Put it on the sidestand. Get down on knee, grab the bike and let it lean against you until it reach the balance-point. Then you may "read" the oil level. As the "window" is almost hidden, it can be a bit tricky!
If the oil-level is down to "min" mark I usually add 1dl.
I do as a habbit to always check the oil-level after a trip, the engine is properly warm, I fill up,if necessary and the bike is clear for the next trip.
Be awear of that it "burns" more oil if driven on high revs on "inspired driving" and on track-days.
That's my procedure, others may do it some other way!
Jandreas.

[ChrisG]

Not wanting to hijack the post but...

On a Mk1 are you supposed to measure it with the dipstick screwed in or just sat on the thread?


Dipstick vs sight glass, the Mk1 scores another point :-D

[dapleb]

<!--quoteo(post=15151:date=Tue 29th Aug 2006, 08:18 PM:name=ChrisG)-->QUOTE(ChrisG @ Tue 29th Aug 2006, 08:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->On a Mk1 are you supposed to measure it with the dipstick screwed in or just sat on the thread?
Dipstick vs sight glass, the Mk1 scores another point :-D<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Its dipstick sat on the thread for mkI's.

[robsue20]

i do mine the same as jandreas,except i do mine just as its starting to get dark,and shine a small torch on the sight glass.makes it a lot easier to check.

[Dave284]

Hi guys, I have been lurking for a week or two now, I have a 2005 model.
This model has an oil level warning lamp (does'nt it).
Can it be used to warn us of low oil or must we use the traditional method of a dipstick?
I had a FJ1200 many years`ago with an oil level warning lamp which worked ok.

[tdm850rider]

<!--quoteo(post=15169:date=Tue 29th Aug 2006, 05:09 PM:name=Dave284)-->QUOTE(Dave284 @ Tue 29th Aug 2006, 05:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Hi guys, I have been lurking for a week or two now, I have a 2005 model.
This model has an oil level warning lamp (does'nt it).
Can it be used to warn us of low oil or must we use the traditional method of a dipstick?
I had a FJ1200 many years`ago with an oil level warning lamp which worked ok.

<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Check your oil by sight on the dipstick, those lights are called 'idiot lights' for a reason.

[cupasoop]

It's a pretty weird set up that you can have no oil in the mk2 and only find out after driving it for a few miles so you can check the level


Mind you, if there was no oil in it to start with i'm sure you'd find out about it pretty quickly.

This post was last modified: 29-08-2006, 10:26 PM by cupasoop.

[ebiff2k]

just open the oil drain plug over a 5l bucket after you've drained the oil see how much you have in the bucket, top it up and poor back into the bike

[TonyDevil]

<!--quoteo(post=15153:date=Tue 29th Aug 2006, 08:27 PM:name=dapleb)-->QUOTE(dapleb @ Tue 29th Aug 2006, 08:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Its dipstick sat on the thread for mkI's.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
something else i've been doing wrong.....

[LIAW]

<!--quoteo(post=15169:date=Tue 29th Aug 2006, 10:09 PM:name=Dave284)-->QUOTE(Dave284 @ Tue 29th Aug 2006, 10:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Hi guys, I have been lurking for a week or two now, I have a 2005 model.
This model has an oil level warning lamp (does'nt it).
Can it be used to warn us of low oil or must we use the traditional method of a dipstick?
I had a FJ1200 many years`ago with an oil level warning lamp which worked ok.

<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

my oil level light has been lit up constantly when the bike is being used, for well over a year now, so they can be faulty, I'm pretty sure the problem lies with a failed level sender unit in the oil tank, as the only thing that makes the light go out is changing the oil, the light goes out for about half a mile then comes on and stays on, I kinda like it now, it's all sort of, well um, red really, but it's a very nice shade of red, a sort of ooooooooooooooh mind the tree sort of bluey red without the blue, anyway don't you worry about oil levels on a 900, 'cause the amount of oil you put in the oil tank will be most likely exactly the same amount you'll take out when you change it again after the set amount of mileage, you see the 900's just don't burn oil, no matter how hard they try they can not get their oil to catch fire, when I change my oil it is darkened but you can still see the bottom of the drain pan through it, where usually on other bikes the oil is so blackened that this is impossible, I hope this makes you feel confident about your oil level and if I can be of assistance to any other questions I'm full of interesting variations, just don't ask me how to straighten a length of string as the laughter involved ties me up in knots.


ps. hello Dave284

[duibhceK]

the only time I ever had the warning light stay on during a ride was 2 weeks ago. Oil level seemed ok but th eoil was totally black and there was some foam on it (NOT GOOD )

I guess that's what made the oil level sensor freak a bit...

[Jez]

So we are saying that the oil level is checked immediately after use. Do not leave to stand and settle as you would with a wet sump. Is this right?

[dapleb]

<!--quoteo(post=15238:date=Wed 30th Aug 2006, 04:17 PM:name=Jez)-->QUOTE(Jez @ Wed 30th Aug 2006, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Is this right?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Yes.

Some people have stated that they wait five minutes.....I'm not sure what they are waiting for though

[ChrisG]

<!--quoteo(post=15178:date=Tue 29th Aug 2006, 11:10 PM:name=cupasoop)-->QUOTE(cupasoop @ Tue 29th Aug 2006, 11:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->It's a pretty weird set up that you can have no oil in the mk2 and only find out after driving it for a few miles so you can check the level
Mind you, if there was no oil in it to start with i'm sure you'd find out about it pretty quickly.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I know someone who did that recently on a landrover. Drained the oil and then forgot to put any more in. Drove it for a good half hour before he dented the inside of the crank case with a conrod.

[Guest]

<!--quoteo(post=15240:date=Wed 30th Aug 2006, 05:54 PM:name=dapleb)-->QUOTE(dapleb @ Wed 30th Aug 2006, 05:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Yes.

Some people have stated that they wait five minutes.....I'm not sure what they are waiting for though <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


the froth to settle on the oil.
Remember oil expands when it gets hot, so it'll read higher after a run.

run it for 2/3 mins from cold, switch off and wait a mniute or so and then check.
Bike must be vertical, I use a paddock stand.
It does seem to wander around a bit, but keep a general eye on it and you can tell when its dropping.

[dapleb]

<!--quoteo(post=15255:date=Wed 30th Aug 2006, 07:24 PM:name=GuyGraham)-->QUOTE(GuyGraham @ Wed 30th Aug 2006, 07:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->the froth to settle on the oil.
Remember oil expands when it gets hot, so it'll read higher after a run.

run it for 2/3 mins from cold, switch off and wait a mniute or so and then check.
Bike must be vertical, I use a paddock stand.
It does seem to wander around a bit, but keep a general eye on it and you can tell when its dropping.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Froth

Its supposed to be measured hot.......you measure the oil once it has expanded.....thats why all dealerships overfill these engines....they fill them from cold after 2/3mins running (if its lucky).

[dapleb]

To avoid any confusion here is the procedure from the 1997 Workshop manual:

ENGINE OIL LEVEL INSPECTION
Position the motorcycle straight up when inspecting
the oil level.

1. Place the motorcycle on a level surface.
_ After idling the engine for 15 minutes, be sure the
motorcycle is vertical, then check that the oil level
is between the maximum and minimum marks.
_ Place the motorcycle on its centerstand if a centerstand
is equipped. If not, place a suitable
stand under the motorcycle.

2. Inspect:
_ Oil level
Oil level should be between the maximum a
and minimum b marks.
Oil level is below the minimum mark _ Add oil
up to the proper level.

[Jez]

Thanks to you all for your help. I can now keep an eye on it in a regular procedure on a regular basis.

Another thing 'though: Why is it necessary to check when it has just been run? With a wet sump bike you let the oil drain down into the crankcase for a little while before checking to ensure the engine is not overfilled.

Is it true to say that on a dry sump bike all is ok as long as there is some in the oil tank (effectively a header) when warm?

This post was last modified: 30-08-2006, 08:06 PM by Jez.