funny oil level...?

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by watertrade, May 11, 2009.

  1. watertrade

    watertrade New Member

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    Hi everyone,

    If you read the introduction forums you would see that I’ve just bought a 2008 VFR. So far everything has been ok except for a funny thing that happens with the oil…
    Hope you can help :smile:


    When I roll my bike out in the morning there is no oil visibly in the window. This really worried me naturally as I thought I was running without any oil and with only 600klms! After worrying about it for a while I checked the manual and followed the oil checking instructions.

    5 min idling
    3mins off
    And then check


    It passes this test every time with the oil between the marks. So technically I guess the oil is ok. (?)

    It just worries me that I would expect to be able to check the oil in the morning while it’s cold.

    After I ride for a while I put it on the centre stand and the level is exactly on the full mark.

    I took it back to the shop and the mechanic thought it was a little weird too, but after seeing the oil level while hot (at full mark) he thought It was ok and said he wouldn’t want to put any more in and just wait until the first 1000klm service when the oil will be changed anyway.

    The oil light has never come on and I’m checking it on level ground/ centre stand etc.

    Has anyone had this problem?
    It might be worth to know that it’s getting a bit cold here at the moment with the night temps down freezing.

    Any ideas?
    Thanks everyone :)
     
  2. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Are you saying that when you put it on the centerstand in the morning there is no oil showing? That does sound odd.
     
  3. watertrade

    watertrade New Member

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    Hi Fj12,
    thats exactly right. but once I warm it up (5 mins as per manual) and cool it down (3 mins) the level is within correct range.

    and after a I get to work ( 30 mins riding) the oil settles to the full mark.


    thanks for your reply. :)
     
  4. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    If you store it overnight on the sidestand and then check it in the morning, maybe you don't give the oil enough time to even out, but that's a real stretch. :smile: If it doesn't make a lot of rattley noise that quiets down then I don't believe I would worry about it. Might be something like a misplace baffle??
     
  5. jay956

    jay956 New Member

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    oil expands when warm, sounds normal to me
     
  6. watertrade

    watertrade New Member

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    thanks for the reassurance guys - I had a dodgy Suzuki gs500 before the VFR and spent months arguing with Suzuki and months without the bike only to have them say ' we can't fix it...'

    I really don't want this to go the same way!

    If continues after the 1000klm oil change I will try and get the mechanics to have a closer look.
     
  7. mwyounginfo

    mwyounginfo New Member

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    Why the oil doesnt show

    If you are parking your bike at home and the surface is not completely level, you can find that the oil level reading in the window can be significantly off.

    My garage floor has a notable drainage slope, you cannot read the oil on it accurately. I check the oil usually at gas stations where the concrete pad around the pumps is nicely leveled.

    Good luck
     
  8. olddudesrule

    olddudesrule New Member

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    There's absolutely no "good" reason to not see oil at some point in the glass view port if the level is "normal" and the bike has been sitting on the centerstand overnight. Oil doesn't expand so much that it would move from a point below the view port (i.e. too low) to the "full" mark. It's just not gonna happen. That would account for at least a full quart of oil. I think it's very strange if your actually not seeing a visible oil level when it's cold (and most the oil is in the oil pan), but seeing it when it warms up??? :eek:
     
  9. meshka

    meshka New Member

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    Hi,
    Along the lines of this thread, I have an 04 with 25k miles and the oil in the sight glass disappears while running.

    Normal?
    Never had a bike with an oil sight before.

    Also, there is a rattling noise from the transmission.
    Things quite down with the clutch pulled in or the rpm’s above 2000.

    Does anyone have any thoughts on that?
    Low pressure at low rpm’s?
    No oil lamp showing.
    Relief valve leaking?
    Oil pump needs rebuilt/replaced?

    Thanks,
    Meshka
     
  10. jay956

    jay956 New Member

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    ive never been on a bike that didnt make some kind of "tick" when in neutral and the clutch let out.
     
  11. watertrade

    watertrade New Member

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    thats what I figure olddude! Its going in for its first service the day after tomorrow.. so fingers crossed everything is fine when I get it back.

    I keep thinking that maybe the oil they used for the first run in period isn't designed for cold weather and since it is cold, its contracting... lots... out of sight... :biggrin: if it isn't right after the service I will start nagging the bike shop. its makes it a real pain to check the oil - 8 mins in the morning makes all the difference!
     
  12. mwyounginfo

    mwyounginfo New Member

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    Again I have to disagree with that. After an oil change, where you know you just put the right amount of oil in, go take any 6thgen vfr and check the oil sight glass on any kind of significant slope. When the bike is facing upslope the oil level in the sight glass can drop right out of view and it doesn't take much slope. If the front of the bike is facing downslope (wouldnt try that one if I were you!) then the oil level will show high in the sight glass. The sight glass is very sensitive to level, if your bike isn't level, then you are wasting your time trying to read the oil.

    It also doesnt make any sense your oil level looks good after you drive it for awhile and then park it some place else, unless you are now parking on a different slope!
     
  13. CBR600F4i

    CBR600F4i New Member

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    My oil level also drops below the window when idling. With the engine off it's right at the top mark, start it up and it falls below the bottom of the window. Only 2k miles on this one, I think it's normal.

    The rattling noise is most likely the springs in the clutch basket. Not the pressure plate springs, but the damping springs on the back. I pulled apart an '04 engine with 10k miles on it and all but one of the springs are loose and rattling. You will need to replace the entire basket at a cost of around $200.
     
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