Oil change weirdness?!

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by OldSchoolInterceptor, Jun 2, 2020.

  1. OldSchoolInterceptor

    OldSchoolInterceptor New Member

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    Just changed the oil (first time for me used bike) and I fill it to the exact spot on the line in the window. I started it up and panicked because after looking in the window all the oil is just gone! After starting the bike I thought maybe it filled the oil filter and needs a bit more (already put in the 3.1 quarts) I recheck everything. No leaks nothing out of place. Start it up again and sure enough the oil is gone from the oil level indicator window. After a minute or so it starts to fill back up the window. It took almost the full 4 qts for oil and filter change. The pic is after starting it twice and adding a bit more so it hits the line. It’s on the center stand like the manual states. Is this normal guys for the oil to disappear from the window? Esh!! Talk about freaked out!
     

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  2. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    Yes it is normal. When the engine starts, oil is pumped into the filter and to all bearings. After changing oil it is common to add some additional oil after it settles down. When at rest oil should be at the line. Careful not to add too much.
     
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  3. CHASETV

    CHASETV New Member

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    EXACTLY what he said!!

    Sent from my SM-A205U using Tapatalk
     
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  4. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    u goddi be new. filder uses oil volume.
     
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  5. OldSchoolInterceptor

    OldSchoolInterceptor New Member

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    Thanks Allyance! That’s all I needed to know. For now anyway.
     
  6. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    No problem, happened to me when I first got my 8th gen in 2014.
     
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  7. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    Quite normal...... sight glass checks rely on you doing it consistently each time, warm up time, and off time. Be consistent. You would have to overfill quite a lot to be harmful, a tenth or two of a litre won't be an issue. I'd prefer the old fashioned dipstick where you check it with the engine cold, but those days are gone.
     
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  8. zombie

    zombie New Member

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    I know on my 6th gen it takes a while to see the true level. I constantly overfill and have to remove some after I think I'm done.
    Change oil, run for a minute, add a little to bring it up into the window. Done. Check it again 10 mins later DOH!!! have to remove some as it's over the top line.
     
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  9. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    No not at all..... you have to stick to the times stated in the manual. I like filled to the max line on the sight glass when following those directions. It almost always goes to the top of the sight glass when cold. Check it out. Removing any at that point can mean underfill. I hate all the variation you can get with sight glass checks, be consistent in how you check and it'll all be fine.
     
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  10. OldSchoolInterceptor

    OldSchoolInterceptor New Member

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    - after checking this morning it’s almost to the top of the sight glass. Should I remove 2-3 10ths of a qt to make it hit the line exactly when cold? I know it’s that much more oil because that’s how much I over filled after I panicked. Or just leave it? When I bought it the oil level was about this high and a friend of mine said that’s too much oil but he’s never owned a VFR before.
     
  11. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    NO!!! Again, follow the procedure to check oil when warmed up to x minutes and cooled down x minutes... do what Honda told you, I'm sure we can all agree on that. What does your book say? Sight glass level when cold is relevant to nothing if you follow the procedure and be consistent about it (use a stopwatch if you want).
     
  12. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    ur vere skwed up wit der keburd yah knw?
     
  13. philois1984

    philois1984 New Member

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    After an oil change certainly warm up the bike and check the level before riding as per the owners manual, but after that it seems sensible to me to check the level three or four minutes after a ride.
     
  14. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    You are checking when it's on the centerstand, aren't you? Or at least sitting level, and not leaned on the sidestand?
     
  15. philois1984

    philois1984 New Member

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    That is correct, the bike has to be level for an accurate reading.
     
  16. Darth Vader

    Darth Vader New Member

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    The oil is sat in the sump when the engines not running When its running the oil pump picks up oil from the sump and pumps it to the top of the engine so the sump level drops. When the engine is stopped the oil returns to the sump . So to answer your question. . Yes its perfectly normal to see no oil in the sight glass when the engine is running .
     
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