Checking Oil

Lazydog · 08-13-2005

On Friday I had my bike VN750 in the shop for the 600mi checkup. I picked it up and drove it home where is sat today. This evening I was going to go for a ride and while doing the pre-ride check I noticed that I couldn't tell how much oil was in the motor. I uderstand that new oil is hard to see because it's mostly clear. But I could even see the level of the oil. I am thinking that they might have over filled to oil and that is why I don't see the oil level. I opened the oil fill screw to se if I could see any oil but that didn't help.

My question is this, is there any way to tell how much oil is in the motor? I could add oil to see if that would make a difference but I don't want to over fill the oil and besides if there was oil and it is already too full I would see it anyway. I really don't want to drain it just to find out it was full to begin with.

Any suggestion?

Night Flight · 08-13-2005

Did you check it while it was sitting on the stand? I cannot see my oil if it sits on the stand but if I sit it up level then the oil shows about halfway in the sight glass.

Lazydog · 08-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Night Flight

Did you check it while it was sitting on the stand? I cannot see my oil if it sits on the stand but if I sit it up level then the oil shows about halfway in the sight glass.

I check the oil while the bike was on the center stand. I only park the bike on the center stand when it's not going to be ridden for some time.

Lazydog · 08-13-2005

Sitting here thinking about what I could do and I think I might have found a solution. Tomorrow I'll start the bike and let it warm up. During this time the oil level should drop at the viewing glass form oil being drawn up into the motor which I hope would show that they just over filled the oil.

I'll let you know tomorrow the outcome.

ppark · 08-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazydog

Sitting here thinking about what I could do and I think I might have found a solution. Tomorrow I'll start the bike and let it warm up. During this time the oil level should drop at the viewing glass form oil being drawn up into the motor which I hope would show that they just over filled the oil.

I'll let you know tomorrow the outcome.

If you think you have too much oil, just get a turkey baister and take some oil out. It's not a good idea running the engine with too much oil. Are you sure the oil level is not too low?

Lazydog · 08-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppark

If you think you have too much oil, just get a turkey baister and take some oil out. It's not a good idea running the engine with too much oil. Are you sure the oil level is not too low?

I had opened the oil fill plug to look and see if I could see any oil but I couldn't.
If they filled it too full then I wouldn't see the oil level in the sight glass.
Then again if they forgot to fill the oil I wouldn't see the oil level either.

ppark · 08-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazydog

I had opened the oil fill plug to look and see if I could see any oil but I couldn't.
If they filled it too full then I wouldn't see the oil level in the sight glass.
Then again if they forgot to fill the oil I wouldn't see the oil level either.

Check the air filter to see if any oil is there. Usually, when you have too much oil, some of it will be forced out the crankcase via the crankcase vent which is vented to the air intake.

Like I said befefore, go to a grocery store and pick up a tureky baister.
First, assume you have too much oil - try to take some out and watch the sight glass for level dropping. If your first guess is wrong, try adding some oil. If you add too much, you can always take some out.

Since the low oil light didn't come on, you at least had sufficient oil in the engine.

oophie2 · 08-14-2005

If you have enough room, you can take a thin(but strong)piece of wire and insert it down the oil fill tube,to the bottom, to see how much oil shows,just make sure you don't hook it up on anything,or else it will take alot of time trying to undue it.

Lazydog · 08-14-2005

OK, update.

This morningI went out and looked at the oil level viewing glass. It still looked the same as last night. Then I started to think, and not panik like earlier.

If the oil level was too low the oil light would come on or at least I had hoped it would. I know in some cars that light doesn't come on until it's too late.

I started the bike and checked again. It looked different but I wasn't sure so I reached up and hit the kill switch while still watching. What did I see... the oil level returning to the propper level and then some. I'm a happy camper again so I just finished a 50 mile tour with my bike.

rangerkid2187 · 03-25-2008

I have a 1991 ex500 and the low oil light came on and i pulled over and had a buddy come out and we put 3.5 quarts of oil in it, not realizing now it needs 3.4L like it says on the side. When i look at the sight glass while its sitting it is all the way full. Did we put too much oil in it? what level should the glass be when its cold

RichLockyer · 03-25-2008

Only 600 miles on a VN750?

Niiiice!

hiredgun · 03-25-2008

(8-13-2005) thread

08-13-2005	#1 (permalink)
Lazydog Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chester Co., PA Posts: 141	Checking Oil On Friday I had my bike VN750 in the shop for the 600mi checkup. I picked it up and drove it home where is sat today. This evening I was going to go for a ride and while doing the pre-ride check I noticed that I couldn't tell how much oil was in the motor. I uderstand that new oil is hard to see because it's mostly clear. But I could even see the level of the oil. I am thinking that they might have over filled to oil and that is why I don't see the oil level. I opened the oil fill screw to se if I could see any oil but that didn't help. My question is this, is there any way to tell how much oil is in the motor? I could add oil to see if that would make a difference but I don't want to over fill the oil and besides if there was oil and it is already too full I would see it anyway. I really don't want to drain it just to find out it was full to begin with. Any suggestion? __________________ Smile..... it increases your face value! 2005 VN750

08-13-2005	#2 (permalink)
Night Flight TEXAS PATRIOT GUARD BTK Expert Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Texas - Rio Grand Valley Posts: 859	Did you check it while it was sitting on the stand? I cannot see my oil if it sits on the stand but if I sit it up level then the oil shows about halfway in the sight glass. __________________ Blue/Silver 2005 Nomad VROC # 17291 Phat II Risers AM/FM CD MP3 Garmin GPS Midland CB

08-13-2005	#4 (permalink)
Lazydog Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chester Co., PA Posts: 141	Sitting here thinking about what I could do and I think I might have found a solution. Tomorrow I'll start the bike and let it warm up. During this time the oil level should drop at the viewing glass form oil being drawn up into the motor which I hope would show that they just over filled the oil. I'll let you know tomorrow the outcome. __________________ Smile..... it increases your face value! 2005 VN750

08-14-2005	#9 (permalink)
Lazydog Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chester Co., PA Posts: 141	OK, update. This morningI went out and looked at the oil level viewing glass. It still looked the same as last night. Then I started to think, and not panik like earlier. If the oil level was too low the oil light would come on or at least I had hoped it would. I know in some cars that light doesn't come on until it's too late. I started the bike and checked again. It looked different but I wasn't sure so I reached up and hit the kill switch while still watching. What did I see... the oil level returning to the propper level and then some. I'm a happy camper again so I just finished a 50 mile tour with my bike. __________________ Smile..... it increases your face value! 2005 VN750

03-25-2008	#11 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 28,016	Only 600 miles on a VN750? Niiiice! __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Ultra-Classic Patriot Guard Rider *Please put your bike year/model in your sig line or fill in your profile before asking for help.*

08-14-2005	#8 (permalink)
oophie2 Still On The Kickstand BTK Beginner Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Spooner,Wi Posts: 44	If you have enough room, you can take a thin(but strong)piece of wire and insert it down the oil fill tube,to the bottom, to see how much oil shows,just make sure you don't hook it up on anything,or else it will take alot of time trying to undue it.

03-25-2008	#10 (permalink)
rangerkid2187 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 6	I have a 1991 ex500 and the low oil light came on and i pulled over and had a buddy come out and we put 3.5 quarts of oil in it, not realizing now it needs 3.4L like it says on the side. When i look at the sight glass while its sitting it is all the way full. Did we put too much oil in it? what level should the glass be when its cold

03-25-2008	#12 (permalink)
hiredgun wind taste tester BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Arkansas Posts: 181	(8-13-2005) thread __________________ 2006 Kaw 900 Classic

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)