I just recently did my own first oil change as i had my dealer do the original one at 600 miles along with a check up. I switched to Amsoil 20W50 synthetic. When I did the change I leveled the bike, removed both drain plugs and replaced the filter. I put in a total of 4 quarts after just adding a few, running the bike and then topping off. At level with the dipstick sitting on top of the threads it was just over half way up the dipstick. I left it there although I was a little concerned as I do not want to overfill because of the sticky valve problem. I understand that as long as it's on the dipstick it's fine. I've also read were if you put in 4 quarts you should be good to go.

It's been about 1500 miles with all being well but I thought I had better check the level even though my bike has never used any oil. I checked it after a long ride sitting it level and the oil was all the way up to the top of the dipstick! I wiped it and rechecked it a couple of times with the same result. Then I waited until the next day after it had been sitting, rechecked it, and now it doesn't even show on the dipstick. I went ahead and threaded the dipstick all the way in and checked it again and still no reading.

Should I be checking the level on a cold engine after sitting or on a warm engine? I also understand the the proper way is to sit the dipstick on top of the threads. Is that correct? If I'm supposed to be checking when cold, what about the oil being all the way to the top when I checked it hot? I'm confused......I'm thinking maybe my oil is foaming causing it to read higher when hot. Is that a problem and something to be concerned about?

Like I said, the bikes running great, but I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing with the oil level.

Don't know if I've heard any 2 people come up with the same answer to this. I think a compromise would be to ride it till warm, let it sit for 5 minutes and then check it. That's just a guess because like I said I haven't seen a carved in stone way to do it. Might be one out there though.

Drain the oil and replace the filter,then tighten the drain bolts and put about 2.5 quarts of oil back in the motor put the filler cap back on the start the motor Rev several times turn it off then S-l-o-w-l-y add the other 1.5 quarts of oil checking as you go then repace the filler cap start the motor let it idle 5 minutes turn it off and you should be there........Coug <br><br>Post edited by: Cougar, at: 2006/10/20 12:44

Musky is right again

and you too Cougar

Oil should be checked after the engine is warmed up and then let it sit for a few minutes---midway between hatch marks
The oil has drained into the crank after sitting over night from the valve chambers and tank ...after running it for a few minutes the oil is now back up in the oil tank under the seat..and the valve train... letting it sit for a few minutes lets it stabilize and drain a little from the oil tank to the crank to levels for proper checking from the oil tank

A dry sump system with an oil tank acts different from a wet sump system where all the oil is in the crankcase like on a car and the dipstick is into the crankcase and the oil just has to go to the valves and back

The wide fluctuation you see between cold and hot .. has more to do with... where the oil is... not thermal expansion .. and is normal with the dry sump system on our bikes


That is why correct procedure for checking the oil is important
Correct me guys if I am wrong<br><br>Post edited by: Pop Rivet, at: 2006/10/20 13:31

rmruder,

Your oil change procedure sounds right on. I assume that the bike was warm when changed it and you let the oil drain for 15-20 minutes. That should get most of the oil out.

Using the dipstick to determine exactly how much oil you have is fruitless as you get differing readings at different times.

If you can see oil on the stick when it's warm then you're ready to go.

Doc

Thanks Everyone!

I did indeed follow the directions on the forum. Warmed it up, set it level, removed both drain plugs for about 15 minutes as well as the filter. BTW I used a K&amp;N filter for the replacement which does look a little smaller than the Yamaha one. I then put everything back, added 2 quarts, ran it for about 45 seconds and then topped off with the other 2 quarts and called it good. When I immediately checked the level it was almost to the top of the dipstick so i worried a little about overfilling but after a couple of minutes it was just about in the middle of the hash marks. i also remembered reading that with a complete change, 4 quarts is just right so I let 'er go.

I'm going to use the &quot;let it sit for 5 minutes after a ride&quot; method and check it again for a piece of mind. The last thing I want to do is overfill it as I undersatnd that contributes to sticky valve syndrome and i don't want that if i can avoid it!

7,500 and I have still yet to check the dipstick. I've changed the oil 5 times so far. I drain the old oil, eyeball how much came out, put a touch more than 4 qts back in (new filter) close it up and ride. If it ain't leaking or smoking, where is it going to go??? Seems checking the dip makes things more confusing than it needs to be.

thebru

Yes but checking the oil level once in a while gives us piece of mind and most of us dont do as the manual says
&quot;Check oil before each ride&quot; say what? and then go thru the proper procedure of warming up let sit ..check..go..
I installed an oil pressure guage... more for entertainment than anything else but
if the oil pump should go it will let me know.. but your are right if she aint
burnin oil and she aint poolin it on yer garage floor you can be reasonbly sure there is lots of oil in the brute since you last dumped in 4 QTS

My last 2 cents on an oil change.........Maybe.....One way in.... one way out so you crank the motor to pull the oil in and break any air &quot;pockets&quot; up then add the rest of the oil S-L-O-W-L-Y in other words you can dump oil in a car you have the breather or hole to add oil and you have the dipstick in a bikeit has one way in and one way out so you add it quickly, you have air pockets,slowly and you avoid it and an accurate oil level reading.Before you bust me i have read some posts where the rider said they drained it and it was overflowing after a quart of oil .Anyway add 5 ounces of oil go have sex with your wife or girlfriend then add 5 more ...etc....happy bike happy wife......Just my opinion.....works for me.... Coug

OH man Cougar

What ever yer smokin ..can we all try some???<br><br>Post edited by: Pop Rivet, at: 2006/10/20 18:21