Ducati Monster Forum

Just noticed my new S4RS arrived with 'too much' oil. I never checked the sight glass when I picked it up, nor for the couple of rides, assuming that it 1: wouldn't be burning oil, and 2: that I felt safe to assume 'all was good' with a brand new bike.

This weekend during a long 250+ mile ride, I actually checked the oil, to notice that oil level is up there above the top of the sight glass. I can tip it to the side a little & get it between the lines, but holding the bike level it is clearly too full. I figure it's a 'little' high, but maybe nothing to worry about.

Is this perhaps part of the break-in setup? Has anyone else experienced something like this? Aside from just rolling it back to the dealer, what do you suggest? Drain a little out or leave it?

Aside from that minor stress, I'm LOVING the new bike!!!

I've had these bikes for a long time and I still put a spirit level on the tank.

The later bikes (uhh, post 1992 or so) have a flat filler cap so you can put the level right on that.

You never know.  What you think is level may be off just enough.

Mine old M800 (RIP) came special equipped with adding loose screws that must have fallen into the tank during build. They conveniently manage to shred my fuel level sensor wiring when I tried to remove the fuel sensor wiring to repaint the tank.

You'll see a lot more little things here and there that will let you know that this bike was assembled by hand.

Never heard of additional oil as part of break-in setup.  I would either bring it back to the dealer and confront them or drain it a little.  Althought, if they messed this up, you should go over the bike and check everything else (bolts, fluids, etc...)

I cannot remember the exact problem too much oil causes (oil breather overflow?, foaming?), maybe someone with more knowledge will jump in, but get the oil to the proper level.

bikes come from the factory with no oil or fluids, he is referring to the dealer's screwup

I don't believe that's true any longer.

i was in a dealer a week ago looking at a bike being uncrated (696) with a big DRY (no fluids) sticker on the headlight.

my 06 S2R came dry -- I bought it and wanted to ride it home, dealer couldn't do it, so i had to come back the next day..   :'(

ducatizzzz is correct.  The bikes are shipped from italy without fairings and no fluides.  The dealer has to do final essembly and prep.

Hmmm...

The D16 I saw being uncrated at BCM even had fuel in the tank.

Live and learn.

i would assume that bike had been previously been uncrated.  maybe the guys at DNA took it out for a ride before sending it out to BCM.. rofl..

also, the D16's are a different breed.  they aren't assembly-line bikes like the rest of the lineup.

moreover, importing European fuel is probably against the law.. i seem to remember it is..

I don't think that's the case...but they are capable of any crime.

There were very special shipping arrangements and inspection requirements on the D16s. The driver had to wait and watch the bike being uncrated.

Different breed is an understatement.  ;)

If you can just barely tip the bike over and get below the top of the sight glass, it's no prob.

If it's a worry just loosen the drain and let a little oil run though your fingers. Easy.

LA

Short of being so overfilled that the oil is right at the top of the fill plug, having a bit too much oil does not pose any mechanical problem whatsoever.  Rest easy.  If it was overfilled a great deal there would be some oil going through the breather, but I doubt very much that you have that much oil in your bike, especially if you can tip it slightly and see the level in the sight glass.  Absolutely no biggie and will not affect it, and it is not any sort of break-in setup or technique.  The tech doing the PDI on the bike simply overfilled it, but not grossly so.  Make sure to mention it at your 600 mile service and check it when you pick the bike up next time and I'm sure you'll feel better about it.  For now, enjoy!  It's a great bike that'll give you many happy miles.  Let the mods begin!

Too much oil will cause slosh on the crank and foaming, which will affect a lot of things like oil pressure (since the oil drop-down will be blocked intermittently) etc..

that can pressurize the crankcase even more -- not to mention lower available air volume for blow-by gases.

You also need to be checking the level when the engine is cold not hot or warm. Oil expands when hot like most other fluids. Mine looks overfilled after blasting around. Let it cool down and it is perf!

I agree with checking the oil when it's cold/warm and not hot.  I don't think the synthetics expands as much as dino oil though.

Aye!! Last night I checked the manual to discover we're to check oil when it's cold on this beast! A lil different from my air cooled 620 that liked to be checked at operating temp... I will check the level again in a cold engine, and I'd guess that it will be about perfect. Thanks for the feedback!