Oil Oil everywhere and not a drop in my bike

[sil3nt]

Took my bike out for my first proper ride today (after buying some oil in the morning and filling it up as it was empty). Got to Pirongia and stopped to put air in the tyres. Here i noticed some oil leaking. It was a few drips although not enough to have me too worried i figure i would check it out at home. Got home and it starts pissing oil. Like all the oil that i had put in this morning was now steadily flowing onto the driveway. I grab an oil pan from my car and shove it under the bike. Then i go about removing the Fairing and notice its coming from behind the coolant bottle. I remove this and see its coming from the black box that is in front of the battery and behind the gas tank where there is a hole in the corner. My guess is that oil should not be in there in the first place although as i have no idea what part is what on my bike i really have no clue. I have looked at parts diagrams but they dont seem to be any help.

Im new to bikes and not really mechanically minded so this is rather embarassing but i wont learn without asking. The bike was running fine as far as i could tell (only 3rd time riding).

Any ideas? Pics will be up soon.

[MSTRS]

That is the airfilter box. There will be a hose running from it down to the top of the gearbox behind the engine cylinders. That hose allows excess pressure in the crankcase to vent. If you have oil being forced into that box, then you probably have a major issue with worn rings.

[sil3nt]

alrighty then off to the bike shop we go!

[tri boy]

Sounds like you overfilled the engine with oil, and it has been pushed into the airbox via the crankcase breather.
How much oil did you put in?
Has it got an inspection window on the left side of the engine for oil level,or a dipstick?
Either way, the oil level should be checked with the bike standing vertical, (not on the side stand), and preferably with a cold engine.
Ball park oil qty for that engine is only 2ltrs or there abouts.
Recheck the oil level properly before riding again.

[MSTRS]

Sounds like you overfilled the engine with oil, and it has been pushed into the airbox via the crankcase breather.
How much oil did you put in?
Has it got an inspection window on the left side of the engine for oil level,or a dipstick?
Either way, the oil level should be checked with the bike standing vertical, (not on the side stand), and preferably with a cold engine.
Ball park oil qty for that engine is only 2ltrs or there abouts.
Recheck the oil level properly before riding again.

1.9 to be exact

[tri boy]

1.9 to be exact

Now convert it into American quarts.:bleh:

[Dealer]

Are we talking under the seat? air filter box?
This has a breather hose from the engine feeding into it and if thats blowing oil into the air box in large qty's doesn't sound too good.

Or further down on the engine?
Left hand side where the chain sprocket is? That would be sprocket seal.
Not a major to replace.

pics would be nice, cant picture it in my head.

I need to refresh more often

[Ixion]

Now convert it into American quarts.:bleh:

Gills , please, or minims

You done overfilled the little bugger

[sil3nt]

My first reaction was yep i over filled it. I could not see any oil in the window and i put in 1.5L. On the internet it says 1.5L max unless you have changed the oil filter in which case its 1.9. As it is now the window is showing about 30% full on the sidestand. I just threw it on centerstand and i cant see the level it turned black so i'm guessing its overfill? But i dont understand how it could be over filled if i only put in 1.5L and there was definately no oil showing in the window before. Maybe i fucked up on the reading and it didn't need any oil. I will most likely take it in to get a service. But what now if it is overfill? Just dump it all out and start again?

There is a pic in the first post btw.

[Dealer]

Now convert it into American quarts.:bleh:

2 us quarts.

[LBD]

Sounds like you overfilled the engine with oil, and it has been pushed into the airbox via the crankcase breather.
How much oil did you put in?
Has it got an inspection window on the left side of the engine for oil level,or a dipstick?
Either way, the oil level should be checked with the bike standing vertical, (not on the side stand), and preferably with a cold engine.
Ball park oil qty for that engine is only 2ltrs or there abouts.
Recheck the oil level properly before riding again.


Yup and over filling can be fun....we had a dipstic (IT Guy...sorry) pull up at the heavy truck shop with his Toyota Hiace and check his oil which needed topping up. Grabbed the oil hose for filling really big trucks really fast , and gave it a wee squirt. Packed up and drove off for about 50 m....

And when he took his foot of the throttle it didnot slow down....and when he put his foot on the clutch...away she went...WWWWAAAAAaaaaaaaaa....
And when he turned the key off...it did not stop...

After some time looking for the ALT Ctrl and Delete key...he gave up and went seeking help which put selected 3rd gear and dropped the clutch with the brake on and stalled it.....

Conclusions....Dont over fill your oil ...and there must be something about IT peoples mechanical aptitude, but I don't know how to word it.

[Dealer]

if its just because its overfilled it will sort itself out eventually, but there is the danger of oil dripping onto the rear tyre.
Drain a little oil out if you can (best done when oil is cold) til you can see oil in sight window when bike is on centre stand (not side stand).
Then refill to max level on sight glass

[sil3nt]

Funny that im an IT student :laugh:

[tri boy]

2 us quarts.

2.007692ltrs actually.:Pokey::cool::lol:

[LBD]

Funny that im an IT student :laugh:

Mate...How was that for a guess...Sorry...it is treatable nowdays and there are support groups out there so dont worry....Nah sorry taking the piss.... hope you get it sorted and back on the road soon.

LBD

[sil3nt]

While im here.....How much for Oil Filters? I rang up Hamilton Motorcycles (coz they do kawasaki) and they told me $17.50 or something in that region :gob: Surely they dont cost that much and i can get one cheaper?

I rang Supercheap who stuck me on hold so i gave up and Repco who didnt know wtf they were doing...not that i expect these places to have them i just thought i would ask

[Dealer]

2.007692ltrs actually.:Pokey::cool::lol:

So you used online converion too?

[Dealer]

Repco are useless with bikes, they dont even stock bike oil. Supercheap might have the filters, but just google a local bike shop.

[tri boy]

$17.50 is a fair price.
$20 range is industry standard. Cheap compared with engine rebuild work.
Use m/cycle specific oil, as anything else will cause clutch slip.
Bike are like small yacht's.
Money is constantly thrown at them.

[tri boy]

So you used online converion too?
Nah, my old engineers conversion book.
Be lost without it.

[sil3nt]

I put Castrol Power 1 GPS (http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-727-castrol-power-1-gps-4t-10w-40-semi-synthetic-motorcycle-4-stroke-engine-oil.aspx) (although gold container and 10W - 40) in it. Cost me $50 bucks from Supercheap so it better be bloody good! Although it ain't much good sitting in the oil pan :oi-grr:

[tri boy]

If the oil pan was reasonably clean, just decant it into another container for reuse.
Leave the last 100ml in the oil pan as will have any unwanted "bits" in it.
Recycle, the oil will be fine.:yes:

[sil3nt]

Sweet as! Thanks for all the help guys. Wasn't expecting so many replies so quickly. You lot are the best :love:

The oil does look pretty darn clean to me so im sure it can be saved thanks again everyone!

[Dealer]

You can use Castrol active 4t (if they still do it), its a bit cheaper.
The GPS is more than suitable, that might be the 4t replacement.
You have to realise, you own a bike now. Everything is dearer.
Except fuel.

[sil3nt]

It says 4T on the bottle. I dont mind paying that much so long as it stops spitting it out all over my driveway.

[LBD]

If the oil pan was reasonably clean, just decant it into another container for reuse.
Leave the last 100ml in the oil pan as will have any unwanted "bits" in it.
Recycle, the oil will be fine.:yes:

Do not be so sure...she'll be right is not a long term solution in this case. Leaving the last 100ml will only seperate the large heavy bits that settled out in the time it was given, it does not remove particles in suspension or floating.


Sweet as! Thanks for all the help guys. Wasn't expecting so many replies so quickly. You lot are the best :love:

The oil does look pretty darn clean to me so im sure it can be saved thanks again everyone!

76% of all wear in an oil compartment comes from particle contamination.

New oil is not clean, yesterday I ran 4 samples of new oil (bulk industrial mineral base) through the particle counter and came up with an ISO code with nice little numbers like 24/23/19 do describe how much dirt is in new oil...

Then you have a look at what these numbers mean and you find that in 1 ML (1cc) of new oil there is ...

24 = 80 000 to 160 000 particles greater than 4 micron

23 = 40 000 to 80 000 particles greater than 6 micron

19 = 2500 to 5000 particles greater than 14 micron

(A human hair is 80 micron and the smallest that can be seen with the naked eye is 40 micron)

Exposing oil to the atmosphere will add contaminants that cause wear....In an old tired bike I would not worry to much, but if you want to look after a machine always use clean new oil. If you want to be really fussy, filter new oil through a 4 micron filter before putting in your bike...(That is getting a little over the top for most).

[CookMySock]

Repco [...] dont even stock bike oil.Uh, they do over here. I'm all for keeping our local bike shop in business though. We do everything we can to buy all our bike stuff through our bike shop. Some stuff is half the price elsewhere though, and that twists our arm up our back just a little too much. You will be mightily pissed of if your favourite bike shop goes under.

Steve

[sinfull]

I got truck loads of 2 trackday old castrol gps here if anyone has an old oil burner pot belly ! I'd tip it in my old cars but they deisels so thought better of it lol !

[MSTRS]

If it was me, I'd start with the known.
Stick your bike on the centre stand.
Drain the contents of your crankcase, using bolt B.
Replace the filter, which is a paper cartridge type fitted internally, behind the plate held by bolt A.
Refill with a motorcycle specific oil to the amount of 1.9 litres.
Run the engine briefly, stop and leave to stand for a few minutes.
Check and adjust the oil level if necessary by using the upper guide in the oil inspection window. There should be a little clear glass above the oil level.
Now, monitor your oil use and check that airfilter box frequently until you are sure it's ok. If the airbox still gets oil in it...my first post stands.

[Max Preload]

Uh, they do over here. I'm all for keeping our local bike shop in business though. We do everything we can to buy all our bike stuff through our bike shop. Some stuff is half the price elsewhere though, and that twists our arm up our back just a little too much. You will be mightily pissed of if your favourite bike shop goes under.

If it bothers you so much, buy the stuff at the cheapest place and go and give the bike dealer $10 for doing nothing. You'll be saving (admittedly a little less than you could) and he'll be making money from you too.

As far as I'm concerned if they can't compete on price for tangible items like oil, they should cease selling them and focus on service (tui?). Nobody is owed a living.

[LBD]

As far as I'm concerned if they can't compete on price for tangible items like oil, they should cease selling them and focus on service (tui?). Nobody is owed a living.

Thats like saying the corner dairy should close down because he cannot compete with the the prices at the large super market chains....If you build up a good relationship with a bike shop over time, somethings you will still pay more for but then, you will get deals and support at other times when you need it. (The intangibles that you don't directly pay for)

[sil3nt]

If it was me, I'd start with the known.
Stick your bike on the centre stand.
Drain the contents of your crankcase, using bolt B.
Replace the filter, which is a paper cartridge type fitted internally, behind the plate held by bolt A.
Refill with a motorcycle specific oil to the amount of 1.9 litres.
Run the engine briefly, stop and leave to stand for a few minutes.
Check and adjust the oil level if necessary by using the upper guide in the oil inspection window. There should be a little clear glass above the oil level.
Now, monitor your oil use and check that airfilter box frequently until you are sure it's ok. If the airbox still gets oil in it...my first post stands.Cheers mate. Might attempt this tomorrow. Just got home and there was a little bit of oil coming out. However this was taking the backway home and giving it a few more revs than i would normally. Riding through town nice and slowly into my mates place left no oil anywhere.

[Tony.OK]

As no ones actually said it yet, (MSTRS touched on it), when ya check your oil always make sure the bikes upright, don't check it on the sidestand.

[malcy25]

My first reaction was yep i over filled it. I could not see any oil in the window and i put in 1.5L. On the internet it says 1.5L max unless you have changed the oil filter in which case its 1.9. As it is now the window is showing about 30% full on the sidestand. I just threw it on centerstand and i cant see the level it turned black so i'm guessing its overfill? But i dont understand how it could be over filled if i only put in 1.5L and there was definately no oil showing in the window before. Maybe i fucked up on the reading and it didn't need any oil. I will most likely take it in to get a service. But what now if it is overfill? Just dump it all out and start again?

There is a pic in the first post btw.

I would hazard a guess that whilst it may take 1.5 from empty with no oil filter change, the sight glass window will only show a range of a few hundred mil's at the top (not the whole full to empty range). Ie, it could still have 1.2 litres in it (excl filter) and not show. Adding 1.5 litres would make it 2.7.....and pump it all out as you have found.

When topping up, I'd suggest as the other guys have said about up right etc, but add a bit at a time until you get the level you want in the window.

I have previously successfully siphoned samll amounts of excess oil level out of one of my bikes with small dia hose.

Interestingly, one of my current bikes the book says add 200ml over the top sight glass mark....

[lankyman]

While im here.....How much for Oil Filters? I rang up Hamilton Motorcycles (coz they do kawasaki) and they told me $17.50 or something in that region :gob: Surely they dont cost that much and i can get one cheaper?

I rang Supercheap who stuck me on hold so i gave up and Repco who didnt know wtf they were doing...not that i expect these places to have them i just thought i would ask

Filters for my VFR cost $37 dollars (I only get genuine honda). Are you sure oil wasn't already filled up past the top of the sight glass, making it look as though there was no level in the sight glass? (If you get what I mean)