Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Jun 2006
alexpezzi's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London but a bit everywhere
Posts: 183
XTZ660 oil level puzzles me

Hello there,
I bought a beautiful xtz660 '95 with 23,000miles and I have a problem checking the level of the oil. The manual I have says to check the level before staring the engine and if it doesn't reach the MIN to top it up, warm the engine and then check again.
This puzzles me a bit because if I go to work and check the oil at the end of the day, for example when the engine is cool, it is usually OK but if I don't ride the bike for a week it looks like I haven't got oil at all! In this case I don't know if it is the case to top it up or not as I heard that too much oil can damage the engine, is this correct? The other day I had to pour almost a litre of oil for the level to be between MIN and MAX but it the bike keeps spitting it out from the pipe underneath and after a 100miles ride on a motorway at 140Km/h the level was back to below MIN.
Any suggestion? I don't know what to do and I don't want to damage the engine. Is too much oil bad for the bike?
Many thanks in advance.
__________________

... and Nelly The Elephant packed the trunk and said goodbye to the circus...

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 Jun 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 212
Puzzled me too

Hi Alex,

I had exactly the some problems and confusion when my girlfriend and I got our XT600E and XT600Z Tenere.

They were the first dry sump bikes I had had and I eventually decided that the only reliable method of measuring the oil level was to ride the bike for 15 min, let it tick over for 1 min and then turn off the engine and measure with the dip-stick immediately, holding the bike up vertical (not on the side stand, and don’t screw the filler cap back on to take the measurement)

If you need to add more oil you will get another false reading if you don’t run the engine again for 15 min etc.

Also, when you change the oil you need to carefully measure the correct amount, to the nearest 0.1 litres when re-filling, the dip stick will mis-lead you until you have done the 15 mile ride etc.
On our bikes the oil tank wont take the full quantity until the engine is started and the level in the tank drops, an which point the remainder of the measured quantity can be added.

When the engine is stopped after a long ride and the oil is hot some of it leaks back past the part of the oil pump that normally takes the oil from the engine and returns it to the oil tank. This reduces the level in the tank and can take up to 15 min to restore the correct proportions on oil in the engine and tank. It has been suggested by some that if this happens that the pump is excessively worn but it happened just the same on my Tenere when I fitted a new pump.

I would suggest that you check the oil level at the end of a ride and don’t worry about topping it up if it’s below ‘min’ on the dip stick at the start of the day, I wouldn’t even check it then. This is the approach I took and after 83000 miles I had my girlfriends bike engine overhauled and the engineer was astonished at what god condition it was in.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 9 Jun 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: bizovac, croatia
Posts: 240
Quote:
Originally Posted by alexpezzi
Hello there,
Any suggestion? I don't know what to do and I don't want to damage the engine. Is too much oil bad for the bike?
Many thanks in advance.
Hi guys,
first of all, you have to know that some series of XTZ 660 in year production 1994-1996 have manufacture failure and use a lot of oil. Mine luckily is not at that branch. Furthermore, total amount of oil in engine is around 3 lit. and for normal use engine need just 2 lit. of oil. That menas when checking oil, if stick reach oil level ( no matter MIN or MAX ) do not add an oil in engine and you are allowed to ride 500 km out of worry. Then check again and add up to minimum, if requested. I have passed much more than 100.000 km with this bike and always use my system of checking/adding oil. To find out the real condition of your engine, I suggest you following - change oil and filter and fill new oil up to MIN mark. If engine is in good condition, it will not use oil at least 2500-3000 km.
If does use oil before, or even after much less mileage, do rebore cylinder on first oversize and change valve seats. That is not expensive for XTZ 660 and will refresh your engine.
Regards,
AnteK, XTZ 660
__________________
AnteK
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
3AJ fork oil level? Barry Johnson Yamaha Tech 1 16 Sep 2004 18:40
valve stem seals..xtz660 futronix Yamaha Tech 16 7 Aug 2004 22:18
Float level Motu Yamaha Tech 3 1 Dec 2003 02:21
XTZ660 motortt Yamaha Tech 3 1 Oct 2003 15:42
xtz660 vs gs80pd... futronix Yamaha Tech 12 30 Aug 2003 16:47

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:18.