Dumb question on oil change

[Andy(SC)]

This will probably get a few chuckles on this question but I needed to ask it anyway . . . .

Changed the oil and filter on my '02 today and refilled it with the 3.5L as called for in the service manual. The question is "How do I tell if it is filled to the proper level?" I see the upper and lower fill marks on the outside of the sight glass but the glass seems completely filled (or completely empty since there is no difference visible). I drained 250cc back out and still saw no change on the sight glass.

Forgot to look at it when the oil was drained but I am sure I added 3.5L once I got everything buttoned back up.

Just want to make sure I have enough oil in but not too much that I have problems on the high side either.

Thanks in advance . . . .

Andy

[Charlie from Illinois]

I start the bike up after an oil change on the centerstand. I let it run for awhile and shut it off. Wait a few minutes and you should see the oil in the site glass.

[Andy(SC)]

. . . . . . measured the 3.5L, added on the centerstand, started it and ran it around the neighborhood, and put it back on the centerstand.

Unless I am going blind (a possibility), I see no difference in the sight glass . . . . . even after draining 250cc back out.

What should I see in terms of a difference? Definitely not my first bike nor oil change, just this one is killing me in terms of making sure I have the right oil level in it.

Thanks

[Charlie from Illinois]

I'll try to explain what goes on with mine. I can see the silver inside of the engine through the site glass. Where the oil level is, there is darker or black oil so I can't see the silver part of the engine. If it is all dark then the oil is too high.

[RCK]

Did you pull both drain plugs? If not you still have some of the old oil in it which means you might have to much oil in it yet. You should see a oil level in the site glass if not drain more out and watch the site glass while you are draining it. RCK

[Andy(SC)]

. . . . . used the system for changing the oil on my boat and pumped out about 1.5L worth of oil and lo and behold, the level came on scale. I did only pull the front oil drain plug and based on how dark the oil was, there was obviously a good deal of old oil left. Since it appears that it was overfilled when I got it, hope no problems arise from running overfilled.

I'll pick up another batch of oil tomorrow, drain both plugs and refill it . . . . guess that's another example of the old saying, RTFM!

Thanks

Andy

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Andy,
For what it's worth, I changed mine Saturday and after all the oil was drained the sight-glass still appeared to be full. Both drain plugs pulled and the filter, then it dawned on me to clean the stinking thing. Gee what a difference that made. Heck of a time getting my fat fingers in there but with the assistance of a long thin screw driver I was able to get it completely clean. Then wa-la! I could see the new oil as it filled.
This then got me started cleaning other areas down below that most likely needed cleaned or at least appeared to need it.

[David (N. Alabama)]

Andy,
For what it's worth, I changed mine Saturday and after all the oil was drained the sight-glass still appeared to be full. Both drain plugs pulled and the filter, then it dawned on me to clean the stinking thing. Gee what a difference that made. Heck of a time getting my fat fingers in there but with the assistance of a long thin screw driver I was able to get it completely clean. Then wa-la! I could see the new oil as it filled.
This then got me started cleaning other areas down below that most likely needed cleaned or at least appeared to need it.

That reminds me Scott, the first time I changed the oil on my Voyager, I noticed how dirty the underside of the bike was. I ended up cleaning and polishing the complete underside of the bike, and the entire exhaust from header to muffler. I'm glad I did, because I don't want the bottom of the bike to rust out on me. I'm keeping her as long as I can.

[Andy(SC)]

Guess I never looked before but after draining the oil back out, seeing the empty sight glass and refilling it to the center of the glass, I started her up. After a minute or so, the oil level dropped so I stopped it, refilled and started it again. Same thing . . . . dropped . . when I stopped it, the oil level came back to the bottom so I refilled it to the center.

The dumb question of the evening is "should there be any oil visible when the bike is on the center stand and idling or only when the bike is shut off?

Thanks . . . . . never thought I could make an oil change this difficult

Andy

[The Count]

I rarely look at the site glass. It is much too confusing to try to figure out whether or not there is enough oil by the site glass. If when you change the oil, you are sure to remove both drain plugs and the filter, then refill the proper amount according to the manual, (approx 3 3/4 quarts) the crank case will be full, and later after the bike has been ran and sat overnight, you can then check the site glass if you must......

[Charlie from Illinois]

Strange as it may sound , the oil disappears from the sight glass when running. I shut mine off and look at it cold and before starting. Weird system ain't it.

[Nathan (South Carolina)]

Yes Andy, it is perfectly normal not to see oil in the sight glass while the engine is running. The best way to check oil level is to start the engine, let it warm up and then check the oil level after 10 to 20 minutes. The oil will have drained back down to the sump during that time. It is not recommended to check your oil when the bike is real hot right after a ride because the sight glass will most likely be filled to the top.