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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Oil change problem
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Message started by mountainmad on 09/02/14 at 17:22:55

Title: Oil change problem
Post by mountainmad on 09/02/14 at 17:22:55

Hi all. I have a 1996 Suzuki Savage LS650. I recently moved to SoCal and transported the bike, so I had to drain out all the oil and gas. It sat for about 2 months after I drained the bike.

I just put in 2qt of 10W-40 while the engine was cold (there wasn't any oil in the bike, so I didn't want to run it), but there is no oil visible when I looked through the glass.

I thought maybe I needed to run the bike for a couple of minutes to let the oil circulate, so I warmed it up. When it was running, I could see oil moving (spurting might be the right word) through the window. After I turned the bike off and let it sit for a little while, the oil level still showed 0 even though I had just put 2qts of oil in the bike.

I'm going to do another oil change (drain and filter change) and see if that helps.

Any ideas what could be wrong? Could there a clog somewhere? Can I put an additive in the oil to break it up or something?

Title: Re: Oil change problem
Post by oldNslow on 09/02/14 at 17:42:06

The bike has to upright to check the oil. Can't check it with the bike on the sidestand. Get someone to hold it up while you look in the glass. Oil should be a little more than halfway up the window.

If you didn't take the filter out when you drained the oil, two quarts should be about right.

Title: Re: Oil change problem
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/02/14 at 18:05:41

Yeah,that window is empty when the bike is on the side stand.

Title: Re: Oil change problem
Post by HondaLavis on 09/02/14 at 18:13:05

If you can't find a friend to help you check your oil level, a small telescoping inspection mirror can help you for about $1. ;)

Title: Re: Oil change problem
Post by Serowbot on 09/02/14 at 18:13:30

Total oil capacity is 2.5 quarts... it usually takes me about 2.2 to 2.3 to do an oil change..
If there's none in the window, with the bike held up vertical... add some 'till there is...
...if it takes more than 2.5 quarts... put the drain plug in and try again... ;D...

Title: Re: Oil change problem
Post by mountainmad on 09/02/14 at 19:04:34

Thank you everyone for your input. I got a friend to help stand it up, and we're golden now.

I thought the reading was just wrong if the bike was on the kickstand rather than impossible.

Title: Re: Oil change problem
Post by zipidachimp on 09/03/14 at 14:08:06

on my 'new' '08, I just drained out 3 1/2 litres from previous owner, put in 2 litres of rotella.

BTW, Rotella is on sale now at Wally and O'reilly for $12.77 per gallon. 15w40 !