checking oil

**jez** · #1 14 Nov 2001

Hi
what is the best way to get an accurate oil level reading? Recently it's been all over the place(previous 7000km have been fine).
I ride the bike normally for 10/15 mins or so(i remember reading on this site that the oil was to be at 60oC), leave it idleing on level ground for a min or 2,then switch off and check the dipstick.
However sometimes it reads full,other times only 1/4full , and all places in between
It doesn't seem to leak much oil and i very rarely add any.
what's going on, please?
jez

**mmaarten** · #2 14 Nov 2001

Hai,

There are many way's of checking the dipstick and not one of them is really wrong. Since there is a tolorance between min and max it's not all that important.
Overfilling (above max) can be just as bad as underfilling (below min) so keep it between the marks.
Heating up the oil before mesuring is, in my opinion, not nececery. It is mostly done when draining, becorse it's thinner when warm, and therefor it drain's faster.
What is important is waiting for a few minutes after you switched off the engine to collect the oil (wich is all over the place) in the carter. (5 minute's is good)
Also a way to get an acurate reading is to mesure alway's under the same conditions. An example is: Park the bike, on the centre-stand on level ground. Go to sleep. The next morning, before you take off, check the dipstick. In this way you will discover a change in the level as soon as it happens and this is more important then the exact level.
One other thing: When you drive a long distance, check the level after the first 200 Km. It might have droped more then you would expect becourse all the condens has evapourised.

Hope this helps.
Maarten

[This message has been edited by mmaarten (edited 14 November 2001).]

**KlausXT600** · #3 14 Nov 2001

hi jez,
you do all right (if we talk about an xt600)!
everything necessary is written here: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000056.html
if you measure always under same conditions you should get equal results, presumed that the oil pump is working well and all oil hoses are free.
regards
klaus