Bought my bike last autumn. Ride it until winter and then stored it. After getting it out today I thought I'd better check oil level. The oil inspection window with bike on side stand is empty but when I stand it up to check it the window completely fills up (rather than stopping between min and max markers). How bad is this? Also what's the easiest way to drain some oil? Ps while I checked the oil while balancing it, to drain the oil I'd have to get it on the rear axel stand. Would that be a problem?
forgotten what bike you have Dubcat, only way is through drain plug unfortunately but before you do, what's the reason behind it being overfilled? - There is a chance that fuel has been syphoning into crankcase is the reason I ask (and depends on bike).
If the oil level was OK last year it will be fine now ! Every last drop has drained down into the sump - but when ridden regularly some hangs up and of course coats the surfaces. I would start it up and have a 20 mile spin to warm it up properly - then check it after a 10 min cool down But I defer to Chris of course !
I agree Dave, depending on bike, when I described draining oil I didn't mean to imply this was the only route. About to p.m. O.P. as controversial.
It's an 848 Evo and I'm ashamed to say I never checked the bike oil level when I bought the bike and first rode it. I'm worried about this fuel leaking possibility
Draining oil sounds like a bigger job than I thought it would be. Is it? If so I might as well change the oil for peace of mind. Please note I am literally the least mechanically minded person you will ever meet.
Guys I'm really sorry I wasted your time. This might be useful for others though. I started the bike up and let it run for a few mins. I left it 10 mins and checked the oil level. It's now in the correct place. Called local dealer and he said where it's been sat over winter it just needed oil pumping round. Phew. Thanks for replying guys I feel bad for wasting your time but happy people took the time to help.
Hi Dubcat - petrol floats on oil. Find a pal to hold the bike, then slowly tip it from upright down onto its side stand, you might be able to see a layer of petrol if that's the problem. You could also dip a bit of rolled up rag down the oil fill plug and have a good look at what comes out ??
Glad you're sorted !! Give it a good ride round and put some fresh premium petrol in her - she's worth it !!
If anyone ever needs to reduce the oil level you can syphon it out or use a syringe with a short length of pipe through the filler hole. My 999 arrived with 0.75l too much as the previous owner thought the oil level was set on the side stand.
FWIW you need to find somewhere level to check it from. I used to lean mine against the garage wall, or put it on both stands, as my garage floor wasn't too bad.
Done that quite a few times because a few mm over messes with my OCD. The opposite happens with KTMs after a long lie up because they're dry sump. The sight glass is on the oil tank and the oil vanishes altogether when it drains through the feed pipes into the sump. Spin the motor on the starter and it surges up the window again instantly. Triumph Speedies are quirky too. Its a dip stick on the filler cap but you have to take the level with it warm and screw the cap fully down or it'll read low and you'll over fill it. Abba Superbike stands are ideal. Either use the lift bar or stick a chock under the front wheel til its level.
Don't know where you got that from - I have never seen petrol floating on oil - any petrol will instantly disappear in oil apart from the smell.
I know that if your Landrover Discovery TD5 seems suspiciously thirsty and the oil level keeps rising all on its own, its fucked...
Many years ago as an apprentice I was presented with a similar problem on a couple of very large engines, one of these was a petrol engine. In both cases the vehicles drivers were completely confused by the oil consumption as it kept creeping up the dip stick rather than dropping down and they had to repeatedly remove oil. In both cases it was a fuel pump diaphragm split on the cam follower side which meant it was pumping fuel directly into the sump. Petrol does indeed readily mix into the engine oil leaving just its smell
Indeed, yesterday I drained the sump of my lawnmower, into which the entire contents of the petrol tank had leaked due to the float valve sticking from a build up of crud. The stuff that came out was a thin black liquid that looked like oil and smelt like petrol, there was certainly no separation - it burnt well enough on the bonfire though.
