[Chromequeen]

At the advice of a parts guy at our local parts store, I just put in 20W 50 when I did a full oil change last night. He said he runs it in his Harley, as well as his truck due to the heat here. The bike was running fine until then. Now it is knocking really bad, sputtering, and stalling. Could it be that the 20W 50 is not doing well in the bike, or will over filling it do that?
I have a glass window to check the oil, but I have a hard time seeing it. It doesn't have a dipstick so I can't read it that way.
Help! Any answers would be appreciated.
Mariah

 

[Tobydawg]

I don't know what kind of bike you have...but 20w50 sounds pretty thick. I run 10w40 bike oil in my 500r.
was it car oil or bike oil that you used? i would imagine a harley would take different oil than a kawi. i'm probably wrong, but someone else should chime in here

 

[Chromequeen]

I'm sorry, I'm so upset that I've had so many issues with it that I forgot to say what make. 85' Kz700 LTD.
Do you think that it would be acting like that if it's too thick? I soooo appreciate that you replied.

 

[hot_shoe_cv]

When I first got my bike and took it in for the initial check, The head mechanic put Honda 20/50 in the bike. I have used it ever since with no problem winter or summer. That weight of oil certainly will not cause the problem you have, nor should over filling. However, over filling can create other problems. If you can locate a piece of 2x4 to put under the kick stand the bike will stand up nearly straight so you can read the oil level accuratly from off the bike. Another way is to get a mirror with an extendable handle at Sears allowing you ro read the view glass seated on the bike. A flash light helps when in the shade.

 

[Knightrider]

Thick Oil

HI:
Are you still having battery problems? cause the knocking may be spark knock due to the ignigion system not getting the proper amount of current to it. The difference betwween 20-50 and 10-40 isnt that much of a difference. At least wouldnt cause knocking. Now, the wrong oil filter is something else. Many oil filters will fit the threaded flange of the bike but it may not be the right filter for the bike. Filters have check valves in them and they are rated for different pressures. Check the filter for the right one. Check to make sure your spart plug is tight in the head. A loose plug will not only sound like a knowk but tear the threads out of the head as well. Is your oil light on? is it working? do you have oil pressure? Let me know

 

[QKENUF4U]

20w50 is fine for a bike (and the hardley) if your in the right enviorment (heat). make sure you have the filter in correctly. other than not having oil pressure i see no reason your bike would be knocking now.

 

[Chromequeen]

Knightrider:
I'm pretty sure that it is the right oil filter. Looked exactly like what I pulled out of it, and it was running well before that, as well as the previous mechanic putting the first one in at the last tuneup. I will be putting a new battery in tomorrow after charging it on a new trickle charger over night. Checked the plugs, and all were nestled down in there good and snug. I'm hoping that once I get her running, and some SeaFoam in there, that maybe those carbs will free up some junk and run smoother also. Before this last oil change she ran okay except for the slight knocking noise. But, she's 20 yrs old, and I haven't been listening to her all this time either. It does sound like a top end noise, so who knows!!!

QKENUF: I haven't had my oil light come on yet, and it does work. I'm going to put it on the center stand when checking the oil after I get her running again with the new battery, and see if maybe she's too low on oil. This bike is hard to read, and when putting the amount in that the owners manual calls for, it still looks way low at times.

Thanks everyone, I'll keep ya posted!

 

[Chromequeen]

Knightrider:
I'm pretty sure that it is the right oil filter. Looked exactly like what I pulled out of it, and it was running well before that, as well as the previous mechanic putting the first one in at the last tuneup. I will be putting a new battery in tomorrow after charging it on a new trickle charger over night. Checked the plugs, and all were nestled down in there good and snug. I'm hoping that once I get her running, and some SeaFoam in there, that maybe those carbs will free up some junk and run smoother also. Before this last oil change she ran okay except for the slight knocking noise. But, she's 20 yrs old, and I haven't been listening to her all this time either. It does sound like a top end noise, so who knows!!!

QKENUF: I haven't had my oil light come on yet, and it does work. I'm going to put it on the center stand when checking the oil after I get her running again with the new battery, and see if maybe she's too low on oil. This bike is hard to read, and when putting the amount in that the owners manual calls for, it still looks way low at times.

Thanks everyone, I'll keep ya posted!

 

[SteveA]

Did you fill up with gas after the oil change? Bad batch of gas, maybe?

 

[Chromequeen]

Thanks Steve, But nope. When I first got the bike after Christmas we put the new plugs in, then drained and cleaned and refueled gas tank, etc.

 

[2WheelFun]

What kind of oil did the bike have in it before you changed it? Maybe switch back if you can?

Is the oil sight glass window hard to see because it looks milky or because the bike is in a garage with dim lighting.....or outside in natural light?

Don't mean to sound arrogant....but how many quarts of oil did you add when you changed oil?

Finally....do you have a manual to check specs? Just a thought.

 

[Knightrider]

Engine knock

It could just be a valve tapping that is out of adjustment. It may have been there for a while and now getting louder. Tapping and Knocking are two different sounds. A valve tapping is a high pitch metalic tick, while a knock sounds like something is about to bust out of you engine. Is the noise up top of the engine or at the bottem end at the crankcase.

 

[wiseguy]

My first thought when reading the symptoms is crossed spark. Did you have the spark plug wires off the plugs? Normally the length and placement makes it hard to get them crossed, but perhaps it's possible. Check to make sure the wires go to the correct plugs. Did the bike get wet? Water on the ignition system components may also cause this and is exacerbated by corroded/loose connections. Was anything else at all done to the bike between the time it ran good and ran bad? If so, think of what effect it may have had. Making sure the oil level is correct is imperative before operation. Any problems caused by overfilling would normally also be accompanied by smoking or oil blowing out somewhere. -- Oil forced past the crank seal into the ignition pickup area causing mistimed spark? Low or intermittant voltage to the ignition system could also cause erratic spark. Good luck.

 

[nomad4me]

I have a 86 honda 700 magna...and 20/50 is way to thick of oil for me....When I put it in the only time it didn't knock was at 2200 rpm and over and that was at 65deg. outside and conpletely warmen up...The oil was not getting though the top end of the motor correctly.....Just my 2 cents. :???: :???: