SV650 SK9 Eating Oil

[TheRamJam]

Hi

I have just checked my oil level and noticed its just above the min level when the bike is level. The engine was cold. Is this normal??

The bike had its first service at 758 miles (supposed to be at 600 but left it a bit late) It should have had new oil and a filter change then. So far the odo is saying 1543 on the clock. Thats a little under 800 miles later and the oil is already low.

Can I just top the oil up with some HG Semi or is it recommended that I flush the old out and in with the new?

Was it higher than it is now when you picked the bike up?

As long as it stays above min then you're alright. Check it frequently until you're happy it's not going down - or top it up and do the same.

Just buy 1L and top it up to just level with the "max" line. Keep an eye on it for a while, chances are the dealer just didn't fill it up properly. Provided you buy a 10w/40 oil there shouldn't be any problems with adding 500ml or so.

[TightRS]

Originally Posted by TheRamJam

Hi

I have just checked my oil level and noticed its just above the min level when the bike is level. The engine was cold. Is this normal??

The manual says to check the oil level like this:

1. Start the engine and run it for a few minutes.
2. Stop the engine and wait 3 min.
3. Hold the motorcycle vertical and check the oil level in the inspection window.

Then it goes on to say it should be between low and full when checked upright on level ground. Otherwise engine damage can occur.

I found the oil level might disappear when cold, but since I did an oil change it was quite visible. That said I don't have any level ground to check it on in the garden and I'm wondering if i've put a bit too much in now

A tiny bit over isnt tooo bad, it'll just blow back out into the airbox. Low oil is bad no matter what. I find my SV (36,000 mile 1999 one) likes the oil level in the top quarter of the window.

Anyway, a new engine might well use a bit of oil while its running in. How have you run the bike in...by the book? The book is a guidline but there are some other things (such as varying the revs and stuff) which help to make a good seal between the piston and the cylinder walls. Just keep an eye on the oil level (check every couple of hundred miles) and top up. Its not that hard, and that new addition of fresh oil every now and then proably isnt a bad thing for your engine either

[Luckypants]

Yep, check oil warm. It will show slightly higher due to expansion than when cold. Sounds like the dealer might have got it bob on.

However, if you have only just noticed this, you have no reference if it is going down. So top up with a warm engine so that oil is just below full and then check your oil every day you use the bike. Oil level check should be part of your daily checks. (which you do right? )

There are so many threads about lunched engines due to the owners inattention to oil level checks, everyone should be checking oil religiously

[punyXpress]

There are so many threads about lunched engines due to the owners inattention to oil level checks, everyone should be checking oil religiously [/quote]

As LP says - get down on your knees and...
Check the fff oil!

My curvy used a little bit of oil, so nothing to worry abot but you shouldn't need to be putting in litres between oil changes. Like other have said, check it regularly as there is little you can do that is worse for and engine than run it with too little oil in!