Correct Oil Amount

[jeffnew29]

Just wondered if anybody found the manual wrong in requiring 3.7 quarts with filter? This amount puts my bike well over the full mark on the window.

[Larrym]

That's what I used in my bike after I did an oil drain/filter change. I guess it's important to note that I drained all the oil and the filter reservoir as well. With no oil in the bike whatsoever I just added the 3.7 quarts. I then started the bike and the oil level in the sight glass dropped a little.

It put the oil level between the "full" marks on the sight glass.

[DiverRay]

Remember you need to RUN the engine for a little BEFORE checking the oil level. You will also need it on a "level" surface, on the center stand. This will have the rear wheel JUST above the ground. oil in the window is one of the MAJOR concerns with this bike. Too much, and it leaks, too little, and you hear it, or loose the engine.

[jeffnew29]

Thanks yes I put it on the center stand and ran the engine.Still over with filter change. It is a xj1100j but do not know if there is a diiference with xs1100.

Oil was also very dark after only a week.

[Ken Talbot]

Just to be sure, did you drain the oil from the crankcase drain plug, as well as remove the filter and filter housing? More than one member here has been surprised how little came out the first time they did an oil change, because they only got our what was removed when they took off the filter housing.

It has been done before, and will probably be done again!

[jeffnew29]

One Oil Pliug?

Still baffled. My 650 Maxim had two drain plugs but so far I have found only on this bike.Put 3 quarts in without filter change and ended up removing about 1/2 quart to put within specs on the oil window.

[CatatonicBug]

Yes, there is only one oil plug, on the left front corner of the oil pan. Draining on the side stand will help to get all the oil out. As with any vehicle, you will NEVER get ALL the old oil out in an oil change. The new oil will be dark almost immediately, as it mixes with the stuff that was stuck to the walls and left in the oil pan. If you want to, you can change the oil again, run for a week, then change it again, untill the oil comes out as clean as you are happy with. If the PO did not change the oil as often as they should have, there will be a lot of grime in the oil pan that will take a few changes to wash out.

[jeffnew29]

Thanks for the manuals

Surprised how dirty oil is? Can I use some cheap car oil to flush the system?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Jeff,

Either get a can/quart of engine flush, or a bottle of Marvel Mystery oil, pour either 1/2 can/quart of the flush, or half a bottle of the MMO in, start the engine, run for about 5 minutes just idling, or very little revs, NOT DRIVING it or putting any kind of LOAD on engine. Then Drain oil and filter, this will help clean out the SLUDGE and grime that's gotten built up in the engine, and your NEW OIL will then stay quite a bit cleaner for a much longer period of time!
T.C.

[jeffnew29]

Where do I get the MMO. Seems somebody said Walmart?

[jeffnew29]

Would fuel discolor the oil? Not sure how it would get there. But heard if it sat this could happen.

[bikerphil]

MMO, any auto parts store, Walmart, etc. Check for fuel in the oil... put a stick down in the oil fill hole, pull it out, step away from the bike and try to light it. If it won't light, no fuel present.

[jeffnew29]

Mmo in spark plug hole?

Should I put some down the spark plug hole?