916 916 Oil Capacity

Discussion in '748 / 916 / 996 / 998' started by yellowducmaniac, Jul 15, 2025.

  1. Changed the oil and filter in my 916 today, according to my Haynes manual oil capacity for my bike should be 4L, i put 3.5L in and it was showing at the upper level in the sight glass, started the engine and let it run for a couple of minutes, rechecked the level and it had dropped by about 1mm.
    If i had put 4L in it without checking along the way i would have overfilled it, is the manual wrong or am i missing something?
     
  2. I’ve always thought they were about 3.5l for an oil change. Doesn’t it state 3600 on the RHS cover ? (It’s been a while since I looked)
     
  3. A full drain, removing the prefilter as this will let more drain, usually takes about 3.6/3.6 to hit the top line. You wouldn’t get 4 litre in there even after a rebuild
     
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  4. Thanks Nelly, just re-read and double checked the Haynes book and it does state 4L for the 916...misleading to say the least!
     
  5. That may very well be the amount the factory fills a completely dry engine with.

    I find it useful to measure or weigh the oil out for that’s a good guide as to how much should be going back in*.


    * using common sense of course as well. Just because I removed 5.5ltrs from an 1199 Pani once :eek: doesn’t mean I should try and squeeze 5.5ltrs back in.
     
  6. mmm...could be but then it shouldn't be the capacity they quote in their routine maintenance check schedule (Haynes), anyway i've made a note for future reference = 3.5 litres.
     
    #6 yellowducmaniac, Jul 16, 2025
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2025
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  7. Agreed that 4L doesn't quite fit.

    I've had mine apart, fully drained, completely dry, even emptied the oil cooler and lines and I've never quite managed to get 4L in.
     
  8. IIRC, the factory manual quotes 3.8l….. sounds like a Haynes problem
     
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  9. From the Ducati Service Manual - 3.5 litres.
    IMG_9639.jpg
     
  10. The half litre for the oil cooler doesn’t drain when doing a regular change, so 3.5 would be about right…….
    End of day, every drain will always be slightly different. Fill to the sight glass. Won’t fail then
     
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