I am new to motorcycles and I have not been routinely checking my oil window/level. The oil was changed on my 2003 M620 when I bought it a month ago and the level was good. I have not noticed any leaks on the ground. I have put almost 2000miles since I bought it (and hate to admit it, but I haven't been checking my oil -- so I did not know if I had a really slow leak or it burned or if I have a bad leak... but again, I have not noticed any oil on the ground). I did not notice I was low on oil until last night (after motorcycle shops were closed) but I wanted to be able to sleep knowing if I had a big issue or not i.e did I lose all that oil at once or has it been slowly slipping away. So I went to Walmart (only thing open) and bought 20w-50 V-twin Mobil One Synthetic motorcycle oil. I topped off my oil. In the process I noticed the filler cap was lose (so last night I decided to buy a $15 billet one form Monster Parts) and I noticed the filter was lose. I cleaned my engine really well. And powdered it up with some foot powder (great idea BTW that I got from here) and went for a good ride to see if I lost any oil or noticed any oil on the powder. My question is how big of a deal is it to mix one quart of 20w-50 Vtwin synthetic to the two quarts of MX4T-40 that were already in? I am sure there are varying opinions on this... but I wanted to hear what you all have to say: wait till next oil change / get that oil out of there now / it will be fine quit worrying etc etc.
I am hoping I was losing oil through the filler cap and the filter and now that they are tighter, I will not be losing any more oil... But isn't a Quart low kind of excessive for not ever noticing any oil on the ground? Do these engines burn oil? I did notice a little staining around the filler cap from where oil was possibly coming out and I tightened the filter at least a good full turn... but I have a hard time believing a quart came through without me noticing it.
My engine is clean and still powdered... I guess if I have a leak it will show itself. After my 20 mile ride late last night, I did not lose any oil... and did not see any oil on the powder... so I am just going to keep a close eye on it to see what the deal is... my only real question is about mixing the oil... but if you have a comment on my lost oil please share too. Thanks in advance!!!
Humor my curiosity - how are you checking the level - particularly the position of the bike.
I have a swing-arm stand I bought at harborfreight -- it was cheap, but it works really well. The rear wheel is elevated a little when on the sand, but the bike is perfectly upright.
Hmm well then I don't have an easy answer for you. Your methods so far are pretty sounds when it comes to checking for leaks and such. Have you sprayed any powered by the oil pressure sensor? That's another likely spot to develop a leak.. beyond that, keep an eye on things. If you can't find an obvious leak, then more hunting is needed.
Just be sure you're checking the levels at the same temp. Check your manual to see if it's hot/ warm or cold that you should check. They changed over at some point
Don't worry about mixing the oil, While the 40 wt is the correct oil according to your manual the 20-50 is correct for earlier Ducs, and they didn't change much in the motor.
I'm thinking that most of the oil was lost through the leaking filter and some was burned.
Oil consumption usually doesn't cause any problems at under a qt in 2K miles.
Be careful. When my bike is up on its rear stand, the fact that the tire is off the ground gives me a very different read than when the bike is just upright. Get someone to hold you bike and take a reading.
Mixing oil, no worries.
And if your filter was loose, my guess would be a slow leak there, but it is strange that you didn't have any drips. If you don't see it anymore, I think you won the easy fix lotto!
The bike needs to be level and upright. It also takes some time for the oil to return to the crankcase. The 20W-50 is fine as long as you stay away from the arctic circle.
Thank you everyone for the advice!!!
I didn't think it was a problem mixing the oil, but I wanted someone to agree with me. I am hoping I do not lose any more oil... but having lost what I did I am definitely going to keep a closer eye on it. I will get some blocks of wood to put under the kickstand so the bike is upright and level when I check it instead of the stand... but I don't think the stand is giving me that 'off' of a measurement.
Be careful when using the side stand in an almost vertical position.
I've seen 'em tip over that way.
No need for the wood. Like DP, I don't like doing that, to much tip chance.
Just put it in gear grab the bar and frame/rear area of the rear set, right the bike a bit (not 100% vertical yet) and squat down and a tiny bit back. You'll be able to move the bike to 100% vertical while in this position, keep good control of it and see your sign glass clearly. Obviously, don't be herky-jerky while doing this, and you'll need to stay put for a minute or so to be sure the oil's all settled. In they way, you've got hands on the bike at all times, and can easily lean to back towards the stand
Quote from: yuu on November 17, 2009, 12:18:28 PM
No need for the wood. Like DP, I don't like doing that, to much tip chance.
Just put it in gear grab the bar and frame/rear area of the rear set, right the bike a bit (not 100% vertical yet) and squat down and a tiny bit back. You'll be able to move the bike to 100% vertical while in this position, keep good control of it and see your sign glass clearly. Obviously, don't be herky-jerky while doing this, and you'll need to stay put for a minute or so to be sure the oil's all settled. In they way, you've got hands on the bike at all times, and can easily lean to back towards the stand
+1 This is how I do it.