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Bikes, Hints'n'Tips => Fazer 1000/FZ1 corner => Topic started by: bludclot on 31 May 2012, 08:43:44 am

Title: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: bludclot on 31 May 2012, 08:43:44 am
 
i check the oil and water levels and tyre pressures when i clean the bike, at least once a week. bike is always left in the same garage place on the centre stand so oil level readings are very consistent. i changed the oil 2 or 3 months ago and did my usual trick of slightly over filling and letting some out and it's been fine and very level with the 2 dots on the sight glass since. except for the last couple of days however where it's very nearly at the top of the sight glass!
 
do you think any of the following or another reason?
 
- my concrete garage floor has had quite a severe subsidence in the hot weather without cracking at all, causing it to tilt
- the bike has decided to fossilise various engine / geaarbox components and thus create oil
- a mischevious burgler has been breaking in and filling my bike with oil on the sly
- i should commit myself for i am obviously losing the plot
 
fuzzled as puck.
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: ghostbiker on 31 May 2012, 12:28:06 pm
Check your water levels asap and the filler cap on the oil for white gunk.
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: mcyoungy on 31 May 2012, 01:53:15 pm
does the oil smell of petrol?
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: bludclot on 31 May 2012, 03:09:53 pm
 
water level has dropped, not by much. have topped it up to the max line.
 
no sign of sludge or any other symptoms of head gasket failure.
 
no smell of petrol in the oil....
 
strange, when i first posted i thought nothing of it, i'm worried now.
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: mcyoungy on 31 May 2012, 03:39:35 pm
no mayo on the filler, as GB said?
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: bludclot on 31 May 2012, 04:46:20 pm
 
nope, none. no signs of oil in coolant either, or reluctance starting or white smoke or loss of power... no unusual useage or non-useage of bike recently, no dismantling lately, nothing unusual or untoward that i can think of that would cause this.
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: ghostbiker on 31 May 2012, 04:59:22 pm
Then its likely nothing but an odd thing, keep riding and just keep an eye on things. 8)
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: Falcon 269 on 31 May 2012, 05:14:42 pm


- i should commit myself for i am obviously losing the plot
 

Gets my vote.  And I should know, 'cos my bubble got lost years ago :lol

These motors can hide oil during the oil change process.  So long as you're happy that it's not a fuel or coolant-based top-up you've been getting, monitor it and ride on.

To the nearest nut house ... ;)
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 31 May 2012, 07:19:34 pm
Quote
i changed the oil 2 or 3 months ago and did my usual trick of slightly over filling and letting some out and it's been fine and very level with the 2 dots on the sight glass since.

When I change my oil, I'm conservative about how much I put in.  As long as it's between the bottom and the upper marks I'm happy.

I'll then ride to work and back, throw it in the garage and leave overnight on the centrestand and see where it settles.  Then top it up, and repeat, one or two shots and I'll have it topped to the max (Gen1's like a full sump)

Cold oil takes forever to return to the sump.  Hot oil a fraction of the time, but you still have to give it a bit of time. 

Anyway that's what I do, and then forget.  Rising oil level, can only be water or fuel/gasses in the oil.  Or inconsistencies in checking the level (I think!)
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: squitbit on 31 May 2012, 08:47:23 pm
Hot weather, oil warmer therefore expanding?
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: bludclot on 31 May 2012, 09:40:37 pm
 
i've been thinking a lot about this today - yes, hot weather keeps coming to mind, so does a porous block.....
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: mcyoungy on 31 May 2012, 09:45:08 pm
stop it. ride and enjoy.
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: taksi on 01 June 2012, 09:29:21 am
I think you'll find that the unusually hot weather has allowed the oil to thin down on the inner parts of the engine and drain a bit quicker. Don't worry about it, the weather won't last!
 
Taksi
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: Minty on 01 June 2012, 07:05:29 pm
Mine did the same after an oil change, drained a bit out, has been ok since.
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: paul1606 on 01 June 2012, 11:04:18 pm
Don,t these things just make you paranoid eh ? you started a your subject with a slight concern about your oil level now i bet all sorts are going around in your head . If your water levels ok and no scum just ride it & have fun .
Title: Re: what the f...? oil level has gone up!
Post by: ghostbiker on 02 June 2012, 09:30:29 am
Don,t these things just make you paranoid eh ? you started a your subject with a slight concern about your oil level now i bet all sorts are going around in your head . If your water levels ok and no scum just ride it & have fun .

I agree completely, its so easy to start doubting a bike when you are so vulnerable but if it was a car where you are safe inside with airbags etc we wouldn't think twice about it.
Ride and enjoy, and just keep an eye on it now and then.