low engine oil level - possible damage? - SV650.org

27-07-11, 03:29 PM

I looked at the oil level today on my 1999 650 curvy s, for the first time in about 1,000 miles. I've only had the bike for 2,300 miles and changed the oil as soon as I got it. I was shocked to see that it was below the minimum mark. It took 550 ml to bring it up to the full mark. I am concerned that this amount of discrepancy may have damaged the engine. The first time I checked the level, at around 1,000 miles, it hadn't seemed to have burnt any oil, so I had got careless!

What do you guys think? Can anyone put these facts into context - i.e. how much below the minimum was it and what are the chances of engine damage?

TamSV · 27-07-11, 03:36 PM

Just to get the obvious question out the way first. Did you check the oil level with the bike vertical or on its sidestand?

If it actually is too low, with regards to possible engine damage I would probably take the view that if it's happened, it's happened. If it sounds OK, keep an eye on the oil level then ride it until it goes bang

. The alternative is to strip the engine and have a look but you'd need to be keen for that.

27-07-11, 03:49 PM

+1 check the oil level with the bike vertical. If you have filled it up to much then drop it out, don't just ride about with it over filled, though I would expect you to have caused the bike to dump some of it in normal riding.

27-07-11, 04:06 PM

I confirm that the bike was vertical when I checked.

27-07-11, 04:17 PM

considering that it takes 2.3L of oil to fill it up, im sure that only being 550ml down is not going to make a massive difference, you had oil in it so would not worry about it too much.

lesson learnt!

check more often.

and always use quality oil.

Biker Biggles · 27-07-11, 06:05 PM

You probably got away with it.Normally you get a warning in the form of a nasty noise from the engine and a bill for a new one.If it still runs ok keep a regular eye on it in future.

yorkie_chris · 27-07-11, 06:22 PM

If there are no nasty noises then it is fine. They tend to rattle straight away if you damaged it.

28-07-11, 05:45 AM

Thanks for the encouraging words, guys!

27-07-11, 03:29 PM	#1
Weetabix Guest Posts: n/a	low engine oil level - possible damage? I looked at the oil level today on my 1999 650 curvy s, for the first time in about 1,000 miles. I've only had the bike for 2,300 miles and changed the oil as soon as I got it. I was shocked to see that it was below the minimum mark. It took 550 ml to bring it up to the full mark. I am concerned that this amount of discrepancy may have damaged the engine. The first time I checked the level, at around 1,000 miles, it hadn't seemed to have burnt any oil, so I had got careless! What do you guys think? Can anyone put these facts into context - i.e. how much below the minimum was it and what are the chances of engine damage?

27-07-11, 03:36 PM	#2
TamSV Member Mega Poster Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Troon, Ayrshire Posts: 1,812	Re: low engine oil level - possible damage? Just to get the obvious question out the way first. Did you check the oil level with the bike vertical or on its sidestand? If it actually is too low, with regards to possible engine damage I would probably take the view that if it's happened, it's happened. If it sounds OK, keep an eye on the oil level then ride it until it goes bang . The alternative is to strip the engine and have a look but you'd need to be keen for that. Last edited by TamSV; 27-07-11 at 04:06 PM.

27-07-11, 03:49 PM	#3
Grinch Guest Posts: n/a	Re: low engine oil level - possible damage? +1 check the oil level with the bike vertical. If you have filled it up to much then drop it out, don't just ride about with it over filled, though I would expect you to have caused the bike to dump some of it in normal riding.

27-07-11, 04:06 PM	#4
Weetabix Guest Posts: n/a	Re: low engine oil level - possible damage? I confirm that the bike was vertical when I checked.

27-07-11, 04:17 PM	#5
nikon70 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: low engine oil level - possible damage? considering that it takes 2.3L of oil to fill it up, im sure that only being 550ml down is not going to make a massive difference, you had oil in it so would not worry about it too much. lesson learnt! check more often. and always use quality oil.

27-07-11, 06:05 PM	#6
Biker Biggles Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Barnet Herts Posts: 5,071	Re: low engine oil level - possible damage? You probably got away with it.Normally you get a warning in the form of a nasty noise from the engine and a bill for a new one.If it still runs ok keep a regular eye on it in future. __________________ On a clear day we stand there and look further than the ordinary eye can see.

27-07-11, 06:22 PM	#7
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: low engine oil level - possible damage? If there are no nasty noises then it is fine. They tend to rattle straight away if you damaged it. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

28-07-11, 05:45 AM	#8
Weetabix Guest Posts: n/a	Re: low engine oil level - possible damage? Thanks for the encouraging words, guys!

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