Oil and sump plug

[Jeff0308]

After a 270km trip today the moto GP philip island ride day i decided nows a good time to change the oil. Sump plugs out. What I want to know is does the plug have a fibre washer on it or does it go in as is. I didn't see a washer on it when I took it out. Also I'm not certain if this an FJ trait but I noticed during the ride if I accelerate had out of a right corner at low rpm and low speed without dropping back below 3rd the oil light comes on. The only way to get it to go out is disengage the clutch and off throttle to let it go to idle, light goes out and off we go. It doesn't do it every corner only occasionally. I still have carbi issues to so I think that's the next fix it. However it did run superb today just a bit of kicking around and unsettled idling. Job for after the service. Forgot to ask. What's the best oil to use

[ELIMINATOR]

Oil light is a low level light, not an oil pressure light. There should be a copper / aluminium washer.


http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=617.0

See Randy's comment

[ribbert]

Also I'm not certain if this an FJ trait but I noticed during the ride if I accelerate had out of a right corner at low rpm and low speed without dropping back below 3rd the oil light comes on. The only way to get it to go out is disengage the clutch and off throttle to let it go to idle, light goes out and off we go. It doesn't do it every corner only occasionally.

Good to see the bike go from test rides to regular use.

It's an oil level light and will flash under acceleration as the oil surges, particularly if it's a bit low. It's not the procedure you describe above that makes the light go out, but backing off .
It most commonly happens under very hard acceleration in first gear but could also do it in higher gears if the oil is low. Unless, of course, the wire is broken or disconnected and blowing about in the breeze.
Like any other component, they can also fail.  But if the oil level is correct, or near enough, as confirmed in the sight glass, don't panic.

Forgot to ask. What's the best oil to use

How you treat and ride your bike will have WAY more impact on engine, gearbox and clutch performance (including longevity) than your choice of oil ever will.

My suggestion is, anything but this, and you should be fine.



Noel

[Jeff0308]

Thanks for the advice. The oil level on the site glass was quite high before I drained it. It only happened under hard acceleration in 3rd or 4th at low speed. Doesn't bother me greatly as im aware of it and it only happened about 4 times all day. As for the oil, does it have to be from a bike shop or is normal engine oil (penrite) ok. Is the sump plug gasket a reusable thing or a replacement each time? Am trying to work out if its still on there or not? Doesn't look the greatest if it is.

[movenon]

Should be a steel gasket there. With one in hand your local auto parts supplier might be able to come up with a close match. I ordered a few extras last year just to have on hand. I have found out for me if I properly TQ the bolt (31 ft lbs / 43Nm ) that I can reuse it a few times easily.

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Engine%3ADPG&cat=39

George

[ribbert]

It only happened under hard acceleration in 3rd or 4th at low speed.

That does sound a bit odd. My experience suggests you would not being getting enough acceleration under those circumstances to activate it.

As for the oil, does it have to be from a bike shop or is normal engine oil (penrite) ok.

Many car oils have friction modifiers than will not suit the wet clutch. There are ones you can use but if unsure, stick with motorbike specific oil. It's no more expensive than good car oil.

Is the sump plug gasket a reusable thing or a replacement each time? Am trying to work out if its still on there or not? Doesn't look the greatest if it is.

Technically you should. I don't change mine for hundreds of thousands of km's or until I lose it or it starts to drip. My bike one has been on there for 75,000km I know of.

Noel

[~JM~]

....Forgot to ask. What's the best oil to use

I use Yamalube, Hondalube or Golden Spectro.

Do not use automotive oil. I'm sure plenty will disagree with me, but automotive oil is not intended to lubricate transmission gears or a clutch.

Good luck
~JM~

[Jeff0308]

Thanks for all the advice. Am going to go to the bike shop tomorrow and get some oil. Also a filter. Better to be safe than sorry. As for the oil light issue, I will wait til the oil change is done then monitor it. Doesn't bother me any as now I'm aware of it I ride accordingly. I don't give it a hard time anyway. The FJs  ability will far out way mine.

[markmartin]

. What's the best oil to use

Don't use oil that says 'Energy Conserving' on the API symbol on the back of the bottle.  It seems that 10w40 is about  the only car oil that fits this description.   I haven't researched this, just an observation....
I run 15w40 Rotella (diesel oil) -- $13 bucks/gallon at Wal mart.