Oil Quantity

[Carguz]

I just changed my oil for the first time (I've only had the bike a few months) on my K100. The manual says 3.75 liters . I added a gallon which is 3.785 liters plus an additive which is 12 oz. The oil level is now above the sight glass.

Is this a problem and should I pump some of the oil out?

[jamesdunn]

Remember, even if you do it right, warming the engine and giving it time to drain there wil be residual oil in the engine. It also takes time to register in the sight glass. So, could be a bit of a problem depending on how much you over serviced it. I'd take some out. You'll have peace of mind. I have done the same thing and more than once.

[jamesdunn]

I went back and looked at the figures for how much oil and additive you put in the bike. Way too much! The 12 oz. additive on top of what was already about one half quart of oil too much is overfilling. About half way up the sight glass is a good rule of thumb.

[jamesdunn]

You did not say; but did you change the filter as well? It is a consideration as well for how much oil you add.

[Carguz]

Yes I did change the filter. I've driven it about 2 miles and the level is still over the line.

Thanks.

[jobee58]

I think the initial difference between 3.75 liters and gallon is no sweat, but then to add over a third of a liter more (like around 2/5) is way out of spec. If the man says 3.75l for a change including filter... that's the total amount of lubricant (oil and additive) that should be there. Draining is the way to go.

[Paul_F]

I done that as well. For peace of mind, just drain the oil and use a new crush washer before refilling with the same oil, measuring carefully and remembering that some oil is still in the filter. I always like to add a little less than recommended and after a short ride begin to add more to get the sight glass level to mid-point to a touch above the centre line.

[98lee]

The MAXIMUM level is the top of the circle. The MINIMUM level is the bottom of the circle. The dot is just the midpoint between those.

Overfilling causes all kinds of problems; aeration of the oil, higher oil temps, premature breakdown of the oil, higher crankcase pressures, drag on the crank, less power, blown seals.

Drain it back to the top of the circle when the bike is on the centerstand.


:dance :dance :dance

[roncooper]

I have done the same and found that loosening the filter cover screws allows you to better control the amount of oil that comes out.

[deilenberger]

One question - what additive did you find necessary to add to new oil?

[BeemerMike]

One question - what additive did you find necessary to add to new oil?

I was kind of wondering that myself. :confused:

[tvguy]

My '85 K bike is always full by the 3.7 quart (3.5 l) when I change filters. When you add the extra .25 quart and 12oz of additive you have added to much!

I would strongly suggest you drain some out. Try to keep the oil level on the dot in the middle of the sight glass. K bikes are more forgiving of oil levels than Oil Heads but if over filled you may have a lot of blow by or even could blow seals :banghead

[BuddingGeezer]

Yes, you need to drain the excess oil from the engine. The oil splash of the crank shaft is a part of the oiling system. Too much oil diminishes this splash. The splash is how the cylinders oil.

No manufacturer that I know of recommends oil additives. Because of the additive I would completely change the oil.

Ralph Sims

[rideoregon]

In my experience, you can't add as much oil as the crankcase theoretically has capacity for. I add to about 3/4 on the sightglass, bit by bit at the end, and it's never as much as the book says.

I'd either use a turkey baster or loosen the drain plug to remove some oil bit by bit. That much additive seems a little odd too, so like others, I'm curious what you added.

[98lee]

Perhaps it was a detergent such as Valve Medic or CD2 in a preemptive strike against gummed up sprag clutch roller.

I just did the same after Cafecubano's sprag clutch got stuck last week. His bike was only 14 bikes ahead of mine on the assembly line, so I figured I might be due. An ounce of prevention (or in this case 12 ounces) .......

But I did lower the oil level to the appropriate final level.



:dance :dance :dance

[58058D]

My '85 KRS and 93 KRS were both like TVguy's, at 3.7 l with a filter change, they were perfect. I did fill the '93 to the top ONCE and then went to the track. One session was all I got cause it was blowing it out the crank case vent (okay, so at least I found out that vent was in need of replacing, one good thing)....oiled my tire and much more.

So, now that you have heard all the advice to drain, what additive did you use and for what end? FYI, on all my K's, I have always found it very easy to watch the sight glass as I fill it and get it exactly as I intended. The first three quarts can be dumped in, but the final one, just pour it in a little at a time and let it settle out, you can tell where it is no problem. If your sight glass is too cloudy for you to tell, you need to change it anyway or it is gonna fall out....see all those posts from yesterday on that one.
Jim
85 K100RS 40k(sold for '93)
93 K1100RS 78k (traded for '00)
00 K1200RS 118,000 still running strong

[Carguz]

The additive is called Prolong

http://www.prolongsales.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2&zenid=huia5p9rrnf1jkjp7cvet4hna1

Same guys that make Meguiars. It's supposed to bond to the metal.

The amount is 8 oz (not 12 oz as previously thought)

I drained some oil out. Until it dropped 1/2 way between the dot and the top of the glass.

When I start it and run in. The oil level drops down.

Should the mid point be when the engine is running or off?

[58058D]

You want to be checking your oil level when the engine is off, on the center stand on level ground. And to be honest, I find there is very little difference for this engine whether you wait a while or check it after just a few minutes if you are shooting for the center of the sight glass.
Jim

[rinty]

The additive....

Lively mouse milk discussion to follow...:D

[MTSweger]

Lively mouse milk discussion to follow...:D

...or snake oil. :stick

-MTS