Oil level -Suzuki DR250-

[ACECAFE]

G'Day,

Maybe I am getting old......bought this Japanese bike and have problems to get the correct oil level reading. As per manual I let the engine run for 3 minutes, switch off, wait for 1 minute and check. It is never the correct level and very low level. I tried to ride the bike for 10 minutes and than check it straight away wich gave me a better reading, but I have the feeling that now there is too much oil in it.
Any ideas. Thanks .

[Dak]

You are checking it with the bike upright? The way I do most bikes is cold, like sitting overnight, stand it upright and wait a few minutes for the oil to settle.

[FilthyLuka]

run the engine, put the bike on center stand, let it settle for about 5 minutes (have a coffee), check oil level.

Its how i do it

[cynna]

for piece of mind why dont you change the oil and put the correct ammount in. that way you will know the correct oil reading for what ever method you use

[awayatc]

G'Day,

Maybe I am getting old......
Any ideas. Thanks .

Hope so, only other alternative to that would be to die young...

run the engine, put the bike on center stand, let it settle for about 5 minutes (have a coffee), check oil level.

Its how i do it

Best way to do it Indeed. Had a DR 250 myself, and since it doesn't hold a lot of oil anyway (800ml?) you don't want to be to low! Plus you want to change your oil very frequently anyway, especialy if you use the whip a bit....

[Kittyhawk]

#1 stand bike upright, lean back then run....bike is now falling and you fucked it up..

#2 fill the oil to the top when oil comes out of bike you know its full up haha..seriously its too much.

#3 do a full oil change and put new correct amount for bike in.
THEN...
#4 put your finger in the hole or a screwdriver (not the drinking shot, an actual clean screwdriver) and measure, that way after you've done an oil change, use this as a gauge when measuring in future.

#5 Make sure bike is on even flat surface, and both tires are inflated..something simple as this can fuck it up too.

[xwhatsit]

#3 do a full oil change and put new correct amount for bike in.
THEN...
#4 put your finger in the hole or a screwdriver (not the drinking shot, an actual clean screwdriver) and measure, that way after you've done an oil change, use this as a gauge when measuring in future.

I don't like this method. Wet sump engines are like with the damping fluid in your front forks; it's the oil level that's important, not the oil quantity. So when putting new oil in, always check with the dipstick/oil level bolt/window-thingie that the oil has been filled to the correct level afterwards.

If you check it straight away after riding, you'll get a low reading as there's still oil scattered about the top end. Wet sump engines should be checked from cold, no?

[FilthyLuka]

Wet sump engines should be checked from cold, no?

No... Things expand when they are hot so you need to have the correct oil level for when everything is at operating temperature.

[xwhatsit]

No... Things expand when they are hot so you need to have the correct oil level for when everything is at operating temperature.

Which would make, what, a millimetre difference on the dipstick? As long as you're not right on the `upper' mark on the dipstick, it won't be over-full once it has warmed up.

[FilthyLuka]

Which would make, what, a millimetre difference on the dipstick? As long as you're not right on the `upper' mark on the dipstick, it won't be over-full once it has warmed up.

can't hurt to be accurate

[davereid]

I think this may be the oil-in-the-frame DR250. They can be a little tricky to check, and if not done correctly you can overfill them, which damages the engine. [Although not as bad as underfilling them.]

So, I suggest take the bke for a short run - just get it up to a normal temperature, so about 4-5 k is fine. Then switch off, unscrew the dipstick and clean it with a rag. Dip it back in the oil tank, while holding the bike upright. Don't screw the dipstick in, just push it in until the thread stops it going in.

This should sort out your problem !

I think the DR250 is a great bike. If you can't sort it out, just give me a call, and I'll take it to the tip for you. Promise !

[ACECAFE]

Thanks for your messages. I am still not sure if it is the correct oil level. It looks alright and the bike runs well, but I noticed that oil is seeping through the top tube of the oil cooler. After the bike cools down it disappears. Does this mean that there is too much pressure (..too much oil) in the system.
I took the bike for a run, stopped the engine, waited for 5 minutes and read the oil level. It was at the max. of the dip stick and guess that is correct.

Drives me nuts....(more than my wife). Thanks for your help.