Where did my oil go?

[tri650]

I have a 78 XS11 with 22K miles. I bought it with 19. Changed the oil at 20.8K with full synthetic. The oil light started to flicker on my ride today and I thought that was odd given that I have only 1300 miles on the bike since the oil and filter change. Checked the level and it was not even registering. I put in two quarts and it looked like it was full.

So, no leaks and I don't smoke. How am I burning 2 quarts of oil in 1300 miles?

[natemoen]

Could be rings. Could be valve seal. Could be leaking somewhere.

[crazy steve]

Well, if you don't see any obvious leaks...

What weight oil did you put in? If you use a lower viscosity than 20w (such as 10w-40), these bikes have been known to start using oil. The FSM recommends 20w-40 unless you're riding in temps below 40F.

And synthetic doesn't seem to be the best choice either... In older bikes, they're prone to leaking this stuff out as the seals/gaskets aren't quite up to controlling how 'slippery' full synthetic oil is.

Yet another thing to look out for is if the oil is 'E' rated (an e in the lower part of the round rating symbol). These bikes share the engine oil with the clutch and transmission, and these extra friction modifiers in this type of oil has been know to cause problems with clutch slippage.

With all that said, these motors can use oil; I'll agree, two quarts in 1300 miles is excessive IMO if the motor is sound, but one quart in that distance wouldn't be out of the ordinary. Try putting in a 'standard' non-synthetic 20w-40 or 20w-50 oil and see if that helps...

[tri650]

I will try a standard oil my next oil change. Heck of a lot cheaper than $9 a qt!

[skids]

If it does not smoke, I wouldnt be too alarmed. It happened to me on a ride from Denver to Wichita between gas stations! My theories are that the full syn oil is so slipery that the rings cant wipe it fast enough for highway speeds. I switched to Castrol dino juice and the oil consumption all be vanished. I sometimes use syn blends and they seem to do OK.

[CatatonicBug]

I use the Castrol dino stuff, and have alomost zero oil usage. I go the whole summer without adding a drop.

Just remember to avoid oils with this logo on the back:



and get ones that look like this, without the "energy conserving" thing on it:

[justme1100]

20w50

I use 20w50 and I still have to add a pint ( give or take a little bit ) every 500-700 or so miles, depends on how I am riding. I know the engine is a bit loose, but no more major leaks ( small drips by the cam chain tensioner) and hope to correct that this winter. I don't seem to be burning it but I can't be looking behind me to really tell what comes out of the pipe. Nobody has said anything about me blowing smoke. The plugs don't show any oil signs either so I figure that the amount that gets through is so little it isn't affecting anything for now.

[planedick]

Way too much

I figure you got a leak somewhere that only shows up under pressure, like the "O" ring around the filter housing. Won't leak except when running and since it drips on the road, no smoke. My engine has well over 100K on it and it doesn't burn any oil at all, no smoke and no leaks. Two quarts in 1300 mi is hugely excessive.