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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> OIL HELP!
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Message started by heroicseven on 03/27/12 at 12:41:38

Title: OIL HELP!
Post by heroicseven on 03/27/12 at 12:41:38

Just did my first oil with filter change. But, I cant seem to see any oil in the little window. I put in 2 quarts and a new k&n filter (137 I believe).

How much oil should I put in? I read with a new filter 2.0 L should do it but can't seem to get a reading from the window.

How much is too much/too little.

Thanks for your input.

seems to run fine, but I don't want to do any damage! :-/

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by bill67 on 03/27/12 at 12:55:55

It take about a cup more than 2 quarts are you holding the bike straight up to check the oil,You have too.

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by Boule’tard on 03/27/12 at 12:56:38

Your choice. Either fill it until the oil barely reaches the bottom of the sight glass with the bike on the sidestand, or to where it is halfway up the glass with the bike plumb. These amounts of oil are slightly different but both perfectly good.

Next time use the search dealy.. this has been covered here very well.

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by arteacher on 03/27/12 at 12:58:34

I will sum up the current thinking on this subject:
Most believe the "Suzuki method", as explained in the owner's manual for checking the oil sucks. You want to see if there is enough oil in it without standing the bike vertical and twisting around to see where the oil level is.
Most put 2 1/2 quarts or so in during an oil change, which should be enough to see oil at the bottom of the window as you walk up to the bike.
Remember to check it when the bike is level and has sat for 15-30 min, as it takes time for the oil to drain down to the sump.

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by verslagen1 on 03/27/12 at 13:28:16

What do you see in the window?

all black (over full of oil)?
or all silver (no oil)?

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by heroicseven on 03/27/12 at 13:28:17

thanks guys i'm gonna add another half quart see what happens.

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by youzguyz on 03/27/12 at 13:36:43

With new oil in there, sometimes it isn't so easy to see, as new oil as almost clear when only looking at a small cross section.
Suggest you make sure you are seeing NOTHING in the window before you add more!!

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by heroicseven on 03/27/12 at 14:14:48

I was just below the window.. added about a half quart with the bike propped up and at level riding position, and it made all the difference.
thanks to everyone who responded!!

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by Oldfeller on 03/27/12 at 20:42:23

Now which oil did you use? Some froth more than others, some expand more than others when they get operating temperature hot.

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by mpescatori on 03/27/12 at 23:16:50

7A5951535059595047350 wrote:

Now which oil did you use? Some froth more than others, some expand more than others when they get operating temperature hot.

Not only that, the quality of the oil will also give a better flavor to your fries...

... er, guys, we ARE talking about frying oil, right ? :D

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by heroicseven on 03/28/12 at 03:10:14

I used a 20 50 diesel oil. Castrol GTX. It was cheap and seems to be doing great, engine is running real smooth. I added about 2 oz. of seafoam to a full tank and surprisingly have noticed a huge difference in idling and overall smoothness of operation.

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by Oldfeller on 03/28/12 at 08:45:04

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9009747&contentId=7018622

Now take a deep breath and realize that different parts of the world run to different oil standards.

Performance Levels
• Exceeds latest API SG/CD specification
• SAE 20W50

If my guess is right and Heroicseven lives in the Far East or India, then this oil is appropriate for the Savage and likely contains more ZDDP than our diesel oil does. SG and CD are the car/truck specs from like 20 years ago -- which are a good fit for the Savage engine.

I could also be very wrong where he lives -- but if he his buying Castrol GTX in 20w50 that is both car and diesel rated on the same bottle, he likely doesn't live in America.

Here's a listing of the places this oil is sold. http://www.google.com/cse?cx=002683415331144861350%3Atsq8didf9x0&q=Castrol+GTX+20w50+diesel&ie=utf-8&sa=Search#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=Castrol%20GTX%2020w50%20diesel&gsc.page=1

This bottle strongly reminds me of what oil used to be before the US Government began fiddling with it. Strong formulations, lots of ZDDP and detergents, and a lot less expensive.

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by heroicseven on 03/28/12 at 08:52:01

I live in so cal, and would change that @#$# in a heartbeat if I knew better. I just saw it on a forum and went with it. At the moment its running smooth as can be. If anyone can come up with a solid reason why I should drain and refrain, please let me know.

1. I live in SAN DIEGO county
2. I live in a Coastal Community
3. Elevation rarely exceeds 500 ft.
4. Air temps hover from 60-75 degrees F
4. This is my first motorcycle ever, so berate me if necessary, for honestly i know not what i do.

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by Oldfeller on 03/28/12 at 09:02:16

If you are buying oil here in America, then take a look at what the specs are on the bottle before you buy it.

Uncle Sugar has completely neutered our car oils, but so far hasn't fully neutered the diesel oils (damaged them a little, but they still got some balls).

Castrol diesel in the USA is 15w40 weight and looks a lot like this.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/productdetail.do?categoryId=82915482&contentId=6031107

It is a good pick for your Savage.

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by SALB on 03/28/12 at 10:10:47

Any opinions on Delo 400? There are a few places I've found it on sale cheaper the Rotella, from time to time. I've used it in diesels for years, but have heard that the new stuff has friction modifiers for the new "high tech" diesels. There seems to be a lot of differing opinions on the web as to wether or not its compatible for wet clutch use.

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by heroicseven on 03/28/12 at 12:02:28

will 20 50 be good to run for a while or should I swap it out asap? Is the difference significant between 15 40?

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by Oldfeller on 03/28/12 at 12:30:14

SALB, Rotella products are good for motorcycles and carry the JASO motorcycle rating right on the jug.

Delo 400, can't give a recommendation on that one. Never used it or oil warred it before. Can't say what special friction tweeks may be inside it, but I can say it isn't motorcycle wet clutch rated on the jug. In general, diesel oils are pretty good for the Savage, but you are mentioning "special additives" that we know nothing about ...

Heroicseven, you have "an unknown spec" 20W50 Castrol GTX right now as you didn't read the jug closely and have likely thrown the jug away by now. Run it until the next oil change time and pay better attention to what you are buying next time.

General use American Castrol GTX isn't recommended by Castrol for flat tappet engines like the Savage .... they acknowledge the lack of ZDDP for flat tappet use. Next, American Castrol GTX isn't rated for motorcycle wet clutch use (no JASO markings on the jug) so exactly what the heck motorcycle site was recommending it again?

* THIS DATA SHEET DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT IN TERMS OF PROPERTIES

When Castrol puts this at the bottom of their spec sheets it means the stuff can change from local to local and what you just got shipped in from Podunk may not actually meet the specs given by this data sheet.

And then when you see the same brand name being used internationally to represent oils that are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, well then you gotta figure you may be running a little bit of "spec risks" if you use Castrol without reading the jug very very carefully.

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by Oldfeller on 03/28/12 at 12:41:59

SAE/API New SN rating

SN lowers ZDDP to 600 ppm or there abouts. That is HALF of what a Savage motor needs.

If you see SN listed first, then that is bad news -- do not buy the oil.

It will NOT support your cam and flat tappet followers.

Title: Re: OIL HELP!
Post by heroicseven on 04/01/12 at 00:17:24

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paw_2EJBzFs[/media]

ha ha just joking around a bit, but seriously thank you. I will be swapping for something more accommodating of our engines tomorrow.

April first has a long history of joking around a bit here on the list, so "April Fool" right back at you.