So I am coming up on my 1000 km (600 mile) oil / filter change. The manual says the following:
with No Filter Change: 1.9 Liters
With filter Change: 2.0 Liters
When Engine is completely Dry: 2.1 Liters
Every video I have seen and even the mechanic at the dealership says 2,5 liters. On other bikes of different years it had 2.5 liters stamped on the case down by the oil Window. Not stamped on mine.
Which is it for my 2018? Have the quantities changed over the years?
Fill it to the top line (bike standing straight up) after oil draining & filter changing (Don't loose the drain plug gasket & don't throw away the oil filter by-pass valve.).
Start it to fill the filter, let run about 1 minute. Turn it off for about 5 minutes to allow the engine oil to drain from the cylinder head. Re-fill to the top line, just a tiny bubble.
Then you can tell me how much you used.
Most people do not understand that the high mounted oil filter on the KLR engines WILL drain back into the crankcase, when parked long enough. Modern Automotive engines will NOT drain back the oil filter.
fill it to the top line (bike standing straight up) after oil draining & filter changing (don't loose the drain plug gasket & don't throw away the oil filter by-pass valve.).
Start it to fill the filter, let run about 1 minute. Turn it off for about 5 minutes to allow the engine oil to drain from the cylinder head. Re-fill to the top line, just a tiny bubble.
Then you can tell me how much you used.
Most people do not understand that the high mounted oil filter on the klr engines will drain back into the crankcase, when parked long enough. Modern automotive engines will not drain back the oil filter.
Yeap, VIN 000423. My local riding partner, customer is riding VIN 000432. I could put your engine in my frame, my engine in your frame, same basic bike.
I worked for "The Oldest Kawasaki Dealership in the USA" for 13+ years, then was 1/2 owner of it for another 26 years. I'm still here, we only changed the name to Lander Marine & Cycle.
No, quantities haven't changed over the years. What Paul said; IGNORE the quantities listed in the manual and cast into the case - fill it to the VERY TOP of the sight glass when level and ride.
Indeed, what Dave and others have said is the correct method for determining how much oil to put into the crankcase.
However, the tricky part is figuring out when the bike is vertical and then bending over far enough to see the sight glass without disturbing the bike's balance. But with practice, you'll develop your own techniques that will be repeatable and accurate.
2.2 liters filled it exactly to the top of the window with filter change and checking after running for a few minutes. Anything over that and it would have been overfilled. I have had about twenty bikes and this is the easiest oil and filter change yet. I do my oil changes between every 3000 - 4000 kms so stick with mineral oils. Bel-Ray is what I am currently using (10w-40).
Ordered a Zero Gravity Touring Screen that should be here next week.
That's good; ....as I said earlier, All KLR's take roughly the same amount of oil. Paul said he uses 2.5 quarts which equals 2.36 litres.....and since you never get it all out, it varies slightly. When I say the "very top" of the sight glass, that means I can just see a bubble and it may take leaning the bike slightly off level to see it. Keep in mind that a bit too much is better than a bit low in this application. I also use mineral oil and change it every 3k or so.
sounds like you've got it figured. Have fun.
Cheers,
Dave
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