oil level

[crzyjarmans]

This may be a  question, But here goes, is The oil level in the sight glass to be at the top of the sight glass?, Is this correct?

[aviationfred]

There is a little raised line molded into the clutch cover at the site glass. That is the full indicator mark. Oil at that level will leave a slight bit of glass not covered by oil.

Fred

[crzyjarmans]

Thanks so much, didn't see the line, will look closer

[flips]

Hi crzyjarmans 

According to the owners manual.....

A.Place motorcycle on centrestand (on a level surface) and warm up the engine for several minutes.
B.With the engine stopped check the oil level through the sight glass window (after allowing oil to settle for a few minutes)
C.The engine oil should be between the maximum & minimum marks.


On the sight glass there are two small marks adjacent to the window about 3/4 of the way up towards the top of the glass.This would be the indication for maximum oil level.The lower level is a line just below the bottom of the glass.

Owners/service manuals can be found for download here.....(has pictures  )

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?board=34.0

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Jeff P

[fj11.5]

but if you put in enough oil to cover the window, the oil light dousnt come on as much under hard exceleration

[SlowOldGuy]

With bike on centerstand, fill with oil until it just fills the window. 
Start the motor and run for about a minute to fill the oil filter.
Shut the motor off and place the bike on the side stand for about 5 minutes to allow excess oil in the top end to drain to the sump.
Back on the centerstand to top off and just fill to the top of the window.

If you top off without ever taking the bike off the centerstand to let the top end drain, you'll overfill it.

DavidR.

[1tinindian]

With the RPM oil filter spin adapter, and larger than stock filter, I put a full 4 quarts of oil in the motor and it is just above the sight glass.
This also helps keep that pesky "Oil Level" light off during spirited rides.

Leon

[crzyjarmans]

Thanks to all for the help , Found the marks that show the oil level, I noticed the oil light flicker for a second while on the freeway, will try adding just a bit, to see if this helps, I've also been thinking of switching to the spin on filter adapter, seems to get great reviews, thanks again for all the help

[ribbert]

Shut the motor off and place the bike on the side stand for about 5 minutes to allow excess oil in the top end to drain to the sump.

DavidR.

How does this help the oil drain from the head?

Noel

[Steve_in_Florida]

...noticed the oil light flicker for a second while on the freeway...

This made me panic once or twice, out on long rides. Top the oil up and you should be fine.

Verify that your valve cover gasket and bolt seals aren't leaking. I discovered that some of mine were when I took the tank off.

Steve

[SlowOldGuy]

Noel,
I "think" it helps the oil pools around the cams to drain back.

All I know for sure is the following sequence:
I fill the oil on the centerstand and leave some of the window uncovered,
Start it up and fill the filter then stop motor,
Top off the oil level, still leaving some of the window uncovered,
Go for a short ride,
Let bike sit on sidestand for a few minutes then place on centerstand,
Oil level is now completely covering the window.

I just assumed the additional oil was coming from the top end, but it could be from somewhere else (oil cooler, filter housing???).  But, I do know if I fill it on the centerstand, it will be overfull after a ride.

So, I add oil, run motor (to fill filter), top off, run motor again, place on sidestand, then back to centerstand and fill to final level to avoid overfilling.

DavidR.

[Dan Filetti]

 But, I do know if I fill it on the centerstand, it will be overfull after a ride.

So, I add oil, run motor (to fill filter), top off, run motor again, place on sidestand, then back to centerstand and fill to final level to avoid overfilling.

DavidR.

I am so glad you posted this little nugget.  I have seen exactly this sequence of events on my Gixxer.  I thought I was crazy or had been more careless than I thought I was capable with this.

Thanks David!

Dan 

[SlowOldGuy]

You're welcome Dan.

I expected to hear something from you during this discussion.
Although I have to admit I was expecting a comment on the OCD nature of the process rather than a thank you.  :-)

DavidR.

[ribbert]

David, the sequence you describe I believe has more to do with the short ride than sitting on the sidestand.

The ride is warming the oil which means more of it will fall back to the sump giving a higher level.

I don't think the head retains enough oil to affect the level and not sure how being on the sidestand facilitates its draining.  Starting a motor ( to fill the filter ) with fresh cold oil then turning it off is going to leave oil at its thickest all around the motor rather than falling to the sump, giving a low reading.

Any way you look at the FJ design is pretty forgiving however you check the levels with not much risk of serious overfilling, unlike some other engine designs.

Noel

[SlowOldGuy]

I glanced through my records tonight.  I've done over 60 oil changes on my FJs.  I already admitted that I don't know where the oil comes from, but I sure as fuck know that if you top it off on the centerstand it will be over filled.

Talk to me when you've done that many oil changes.

DavidR.