How much oil is too much oil?

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  • Incubus
    XS-XJ Guru
    • Aug 2006
    • 1003
    • Austin TX
    #1

    How much oil is too much oil?

    I installed an oil cooler on my XS today. I wasn't sure how much oil to add with the additional volume in the system created by the oil cooler, so to make sure I didn't run with insufficient oil I put in an extra quart. Now, when I first shut off the bike, the oil level is right at the full line in the magic window. After the bike sits for a while the oil just reaches the top of the window.

    Do I need to drain a little? Or will any excess oil blow out through the crankcase vent?

    Thanks.

    Patrick
    The glorious rays of the rising sun exist only to create shadows in which doom may hide.

    XS11F (Incubus, daily rider)
    1969 Yamaha DT1B
    Five other bikes whose names do not begin with "Y"
    Tags: None
    • dbeardslee
      XS-XJ Super Guru
      • Nov 2007
      • 4385
      • Maineville, OH
      #2
      As long as you can still see the top of the oil level through the window you should be fine.
      I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

      '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

        Comment

        • natemoen
          Master of XSology
          • May 2010
          • 8640
          • Fargo
          #3
          MY thought though is that with the oil cooler being higher than the crank case and not really having anything stopping the oil from running out of the cooler wouldnt all the oil in the cooler then just dump right back into the crank case and then making it look as though the bike has too much oil when really it does not have too much?
          Nathan
          KD9ARL

          μολὼν λαβέ

          1978 XS1100E
          K&N Filter
          #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
          OEM Exhaust
          ATK Fork Brace
          LED Dash lights
          Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
          Green Monster Coils
          SS Brake Lines
          Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

          In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

          Theodore Roosevelt

            Comment

            • WMarshy
              XS-XJ Guru
              • Apr 2009
              • 2402
              • Mexico NY
              #4
              Originally posted by natemoen
              MY thought though is that with the oil cooler being higher than the crank case and not really having anything stopping the oil from running out of the cooler wouldnt all the oil in the cooler then just dump right back into the crank case and then making it look as though the bike has too much oil when really it does not have too much?
              It might be possible, depends how you plumbed it in...
              '79 XS11 F
              Stock except K&N

              '79 XS11 SF
              Stock, no title.

              '84 Chevy K-10 "Big Blue"
              GM 350, Muncie SM465, NP208, GM 10 Bolt with 3.42gears turnin 31x10.5 Baja Claws

              "What they do have is an implacable, unrelenting presence and movement that bespeaks massive power lurking behind paint and chrome. They don't wail like a screeching ninja, the don't rumble like a harley. They just growl like a spactic, stressed out badger waiting to rip your face off and eat your soul." Trainzz~RIP~

                Comment

                • Incubus
                  XS-XJ Guru
                  • Aug 2006
                  • 1003
                  • Austin TX
                  #5
                  I thought of that as well, Nate. The oil is attached the the frame crossbar and it has the adapter plate above the oil filter. It has no thermostat of anything holding the oil in the cooler when I shut it off.

                  I would love to find a thermostat that I could plumb in line with the cooler so I not worry about bypassing it during the winter. I ride year round, including those frigid days in January when the temp only gets into the 60s or 70s.

                  Anyone know of a thermostat that would work?

                  Patrick
                  The glorious rays of the rising sun exist only to create shadows in which doom may hide.

                  XS11F (Incubus, daily rider)
                  1969 Yamaha DT1B
                  Five other bikes whose names do not begin with "Y"

                    Comment

                    • Rstyduck
                      Truly XSive
                      • Sep 2009
                      • 107
                      #6
                      Originally posted by Incubus
                      I thought of that as well, Nate. The oil is attached the the frame crossbar and it has the adapter plate above the oil filter. It has no thermostat of anything holding the oil in the cooler when I shut it off.

                      I would love to find a thermostat that I could plumb in line with the cooler so I not worry about bypassing it during the winter. I ride year round, including those frigid days in January when the temp only gets into the 60s or 70s.

                      Anyone know of a thermostat that would work?

                      Patrick
                      60's or 70's? Lol, I thought you said winter. Lmao.
                      Ive ridden in -40. Always go out for a new years ride.
                      Snow doesnt bother me much.
                      Had a 71 XS650 Hardtail that i used to run to work every day years ago, about 35 miles one way. Didnt matter the weather or temp, gotta get to work. No car.

                        Comment

                        • TopCatGr58
                          Administrator
                          • Jul 2002
                          • 12650
                          • Portsmouth, Va.
                          #7
                          Hey Patrick,

                          I,too, don't think you have too much, and once the engine is running, the extra is being circulated into the cooler and lines, and so the level in the sump/pan is most likely very close to OEM when running, don't think you'll have any blowing out the overflow vent.

                          Thermostat:
                          B&M
                          Thermostat valve 70259

                          Or...

                          Derale Performance | The leader in performance cooling!
                          https://www.derale.com
                          . Read more


                          Part 13011 fluid control thermostat kit
                          Opens at 180 degrees, with 3/8" barb fittings, etc.!

                          T.C.
                          T. C. Gresham
                          81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
                          79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
                          History shows again and again,
                          How nature points out the folly of men!

                            Comment

                            • scott0757
                              Truly XSive
                              • Jun 2007
                              • 130
                              • Syracuse, NY
                              #8
                              Oil Cooler Adapter

                              My oil cooler adapter plate (goes between the cases and the filter housing) has a check valve in it to keep oil from back flowing. In fact when I change the oil, I have to push up the check valve to get the air seal broken to drain the cooler.
                              Past Rides:
                              1969 OSSA 250 Pioneer
                              1979 XS650 Special
                              1978 Honda CB750K
                              Current: 1980 XS1100SG

                                Comment

                                • dentat2
                                  XSive
                                  • Aug 2009
                                  • 36
                                  • Granite City, IL USA
                                  #9
                                  If you had to much oil in it, it would come out the vent. i found this out the hard way this year, i went for a ride after having it in the garage for a few weeks. before we left i added some oil and aparently didnt look close enuff or looked at the window wrong but there was to much. 2 blocks later i made a right hand turn and the back side slide out some and i thought maybe my tire was going down. i checked the air and it was fine. later on in the ride after it slid around a few more times i finally noticed oil in my treads on the tire and after a little investigating seen that my vent hose was hanging near my rear tire. after repositioning it i havent had anymore problems.
                                  1980 XS1100 SG

                                  81 Support Your Local Illinois Nomads 81

                                    Comment

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