SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Quick Oil Change Question
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1283030833

Message started by Wake51 on 08/28/10 at 14:27:13

Title: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by Wake51 on 08/28/10 at 14:27:13

Getting ready to do my first oil change, just wanted to confirm i bought a proper oil before I go pouring it in. I picked up a gallon jug of Rotella T 15W-40 from Wal-Mart for 12 bucks. Is this the correct stuff? I saw no motorcycle endorsement on the back of the jug... but it's my understanding this stuff may not have that even though it's still ok to use. Just wanted to confirm.

Also.. what should I look for to know when to replace my oil filter? I won't be replacing it this change as I simply don't have a new one. Best place to buy/order these? Is it something I can pick up at a local auto parts?

Thanks in advanced and happy riding/tinkering this Saturday! 8-)

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by Paladin. on 08/28/10 at 14:42:16

Opinions.... especially with the oil.

I use Pennzoil 10w-40 plain old automotive dino oil. I have had no problems in the last 25,000 miles.... yet. It is a tiny little filter -- I figure it hasn't got enough to filter much, I replace filter every oil change. I learned, finally, to keep the oil changes. Makes engines last more miles. I try to change every 3,000 miles.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by verslagen1 on 08/28/10 at 14:42:56

http://www.shell.com/static/rotella-en/images/products/product_banners/triprotection_banner_575x150.gif
http://www-static.shell.com/static/rotella-en/images/products/trip_prot/t4_specsandapprovals.gif

JASO MA is japanese spec motorcycle oil.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by Routy on 08/28/10 at 15:01:57

My oil filter looked like new at 2,000 miles, so at the next 2,000 change I didn't even look at it. But then, the oil wasn't dirty either.
I used Castro synthetic the first change, Rotella T the next.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by Charon on 08/28/10 at 15:09:18

If it is the first oil change on a new bike, I would want to replace the filter. You can get the filter at your local dealership, but it might cost a couple of bucks more. Or you can order from any of the various online motorcycle places such as Dennis Kirk. Problem with on-line orders ends up being the shipping costs, unless you are already ordering something else. You can also change the oil, and whenever you get a filter change that without changing the oil, although you will have to top up the oil a bit to make up for what you lost with the filter.

You will likely have someone jump in here with comments about Rotella being "diesel oil." It is also motorcycle oil, and is considered one of the best.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by bill67 on 08/28/10 at 15:14:13

Yes it has advanced soot control very important for the S40 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by BuckHMCC on 08/28/10 at 17:36:07

Maybe soot control is important on my daughter's Savage, Bill. :-/ It's using about a quart of oil every 1500 miles. No visible leaks, although there's are two just noticeable seeps. There's a seep at the head and one where the speedo cable goes into the engine case (got to do the washer fix described on this forum). Never see a drop of oil underneath it. Do not see any smoke out the exhaust or smell oil. The airbox drain only has a couple of drops in it. That oil's going somewhere, just don't know where. If the rings are going bad, there could be soot getting into the oil.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by Serowbot on 08/28/10 at 18:11:32

Just be super careful to put the oil filter in facing the correct direction...
People have blown their side cases wide open by installing them backwards...
;)...

I change oil every 2k miles and alternate replacing the filter every 4k...
Not saying it's right,... it's just what I do... :-?...

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by verslagen1 on 08/28/10 at 18:19:22

2234233E26333E25510 wrote:

small correction, not cases, but oil filter cover.
and I agree with filter change every other oil change.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by bill67 on 08/28/10 at 19:32:55

I've never changed oil in cars or motorcycles without changing the oil filter too.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by Charon on 08/28/10 at 19:45:46

Well, let's see. My 1970 Renault R4 didn't have an oil filter. My 1981 Twinstar didn't have an oil filter. My 1964 Plymouths recommended oil changes at 4000 miles, and filters every other oil change (and that with leaded gasoline). My present lawn tractors recommend oil changes every 50 hours, and filters every other change. So yes, I have changed oil many times without changing filters.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by bill67 on 08/28/10 at 19:54:45

I've always believed that oil and oil filters isn't the place to try to save money.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by verslagen1 on 08/28/10 at 20:16:47

303B3E3E6465520 wrote:

I've always believed that oil and oil filters isn't the place to try to save money.

especially if you only change them once a year.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 08/28/10 at 20:54:10

Do you guys take a shower and then put your dirty clothes back on? ::)

Just sayin'. 8-)

Emgo filters $1.47 each at JCW.
And if you can't push the cover all the way on by hand, don't start the bolts to "pull it down'. How you can put one on reversed is beyond me. 8-)

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by Charon on 08/29/10 at 05:51:41

Generally, the oil filter doesn't hold a lot of oil. On the LS650, about a tenth of a quart or about three ounces. There is undoubtedly more than that trapped in the engine in the various nooks and crannies, as well as the "bathtub" in the cylinder head. Unless you spend a lot of time and effort flushing the engine you are NEVER going to get out all the old oil.

The reason for changing the filter is less about getting the last drops of old "dirty oil" than about replacing the filter media itself. In use the filter traps particles of dirt or metal, and in so doing plugs up some of its pores. That process makes the filter more efficient, but also restricts oil flow and eventually can result in the filter bypass opening. After "break-in" the wear process is pretty slow, which is why the initial oil change comes soon and the next ones at longer intervals. Use the recommended grade of oil, don't bother with oil additives of any sort, change the oil at the manufacturer recommended intervals, and your engine will last a long time.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/29/10 at 06:16:01

My oil consumption is what tells me when to change it. On new oil, it hardly uses any. Once I get some miles on it, it starts to drink a little. How much? How soon? Well, depends on how much wick gets applied. I run easy, oil stays in better. Get to 2,000 or 2,500 miles on it & I start needing to add more oil & do it more often, then I dump it & start over. OIl has long string molecules that get sheared as they pass thru things. 2quarts running thru the gears & the little oil passageways, getting squoze & crushed here& there along the way does physical damage to it. Its a pretty hostile environment in there, what with all the crushing & shearing & heat & all. Wanna run a synthetic? Wouldnt say I blame ya. I dont, because I think the Rotella will keep the engine in good working order for as long as the rest of the bike is good for.
I think I'll replace the clutch throwout lever/paddle ( whatever, you know, the one that breaks,inside the cover) when I replace the cam chain. I got 20,000 miles on the first one,& I dont even use the clutch all the time.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by bill67 on 08/29/10 at 07:08:49

5A616C6F6D5A7D66666D7A393B080 wrote:

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by Routy on 08/29/10 at 07:23:18

IMC, not changing the filter is not about saving money !
Its more about it being a messy PITA !
If I have to change filter every time (once a yr) then I'm just gonna trade for a bike w/ a spin on ! :'(

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by Charon on 08/29/10 at 07:35:57

Judging by my lawn tractors, both of which have spin-on filters, you won't be changing the mess very much. The spin-on filters are mounted horizontally, so as soon as I loosen them the oil in them drains out onto the mower frame. The job is easier, though.

When I bought the S40 it was because I had decided I wanted a thumper. I didn't actually consider the required maintenance, especially the head bolt retorquing. I did go so far as to find out the S40 has screw and locknut valve adjustment. Now that I have it, I am not quite so enchanted. Especially after riding my 250 Ninja, the S40 feels "clunky." But I digress - the topic has to do with oil changing.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by Wake51 on 08/29/10 at 12:36:41

I had a little trouble finding the right filter. I went to a local auto parts store with part numbers that are 'supposed' to be for a Savage. I even brought a couple different brands to be safe. The employees working entered my number and brought up the product that matched and it was a canister filter that CLEARLY did not go into the savage. Sooo they popped out their books, looked up my bike, and sure enough the book suggested that this was the correct filter.

Anywho.. after a long goose chase they couldn't find anything that was like the filter I needed. VERY strange.. I don't know if the books were wrong or if these guys didn't have their heads on straight. Or perhaps they are just hard to come by around here? I ended up ordering three K&N 137 filters at $6.50 a pop plus a $6 freight fee. Seems like the only option..

THEY reached the conclusion that Suzuki licensed the right to only K&N as the only other company allowed to make these filters. This is obviously wrong, as everyone on here uses different brands not to mention their book listed filters FOR the Savage made by OTHER manufacturers... but the wrong part...

Long story short I put the same filter back in, but will replace it in about 4 days when the K&Ns get here.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by verslagen1 on 08/29/10 at 13:20:17

You can buy from these guys at $18 a pop... (who know how many and a hope they include a jar of vaseline)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/K-N-OIL-FILTER-KN-137-SUZUKI-S40-DR-650SE-DR-600-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35abe85a18QQitemZ230517398040QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_2509wt_793

Or these guys for $8... (single filter plus ship)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hi-Flo-Oil-Filter-Suzuki-DR650-LS650-DS650-Savage-S40-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem53e324f04fQQitemZ360293134415QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1641wt_793

Since JCWitney doesn't have any filters for less then $2.99, I don't think the $1.47 price can be found.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/29/10 at 13:58:51

<Local independent shop has them for around 3 bux.. I buy several & keep O-rings & crush washers hanging on the wall...

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by Routy on 08/29/10 at 16:06:40

It been too long since I saw it last, but as I remember it, why can't that little mickey mouse filter be back flushed in a parts washer and be done w/ it ?
As I remember it, it isn't worth more than a buck !

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/29/10 at 17:18:45

I wouldnt sweat backflushing it, Id replace it, every other time I changed oil. Usually, I cant remember if I changed it last time or not & wind up changing it, just to be safe. I WANT to say I Used to have a better memory, but I really dont remember if I did or not,,

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by bill67 on 08/29/10 at 17:50:06

My suzuki dealer has the suzuki filters they don't cost that much and you know your getting the right filter.

Title: Re: Quick Oil Change Question
Post by RC on 08/29/10 at 21:09:10

My local Suzuki dealership (where I bought the bike) sells me the factory filters for $4.85, seems like a small price to be sure my new oil is not getting dirty brfore it does any work. Just a thought. Maybe they only sell them to me that cheap, who knows.