Engine problems after low oil level.

Hi, I've got a 2003 K3.

Noticed my oil level was very low the other day. Filled it up but couldn't see it moving in the sight glass. Gvery ot even more oil and ended up putting in almost 2 litres... still nothing in sight glass.

Started the bike and although there was more white smoke than usual, upon starting I could see the oil in the sight glass, it looked quite creamy in colour.

Took the bike down the road, it didn't feel right though, rear wheel slipping when decelerating. Decided to turn round, but before I got back to my garge, huge ammounts of white smoke came out and complete loss of power. Flicked into neutral and coasted to the side of the road.

When trying to restart, red light in bottom left of dash is on and oil warning light is on as well as "check" on LCD display - bike won't allow to be started.

I'm assuming the problem is a piston ring failiure or something similar, possible to fix myself or does this meen a new engine?

Thanks for any advice,
Nick

I recently filled up my k3 with oil, I assumed that the reader for the oil level was when the bike was on it's side stand, however upon further reading in the manual the bike should be held vertical and check for the oil. Maybe if you wasn't holding it verticle you have over filled it? Just throwing ideas out there

I should probably add that my petrol light was on. I thought this was strange because I had filled up 120 miles ago and I can usually get at least 150 out of a tank. The smoke definitely looked more white than blue.

[jambo]

OK,
Before everyone tells you what's wrong, you need to break this problem down a bit. I have seen a very similar set of circumstances when someone over-filled their bike with oil.

1) With the bike level (not on the side stand), look in the sight glass. There should be a silver plate in the window, partly obscured by oil up to the level required. If all you can see is black, then the bike probably has too much oil in it. This can then end up being spat up into the airbox, burning and causing tons of smoke.
2) If yo use the kill-switch, the check engine setting will be on. If you don't normally do this it can be something you forget to check. make sure the side stand's up, the bike's in neutral, and the kill/run switch on the right bar is set to 2run.
3) The oil light is a pressure switch. It is always on when the engine is not running, and should quickly go out once started. It being on with the engine off is not a cause for concern.

Check the oil level properly, carefully, and once you have worked out that it is at the correct level, you can see if you had over, or under filled it. The level will need to be adjusted until you're happy with it. If you've over filled it, lift the tank, open the airbox, and wipe out any oil in there. If there is a lot of oil in there, I'd recommend taking the spark plugs out, and turning the engine over to blow out any excess oil from the combustion chamber.

Let us know what you find, here's hoping it's not terminal.

Jambo

Thanks for the advice, I'll do all those things. I'm 99% sure I've over-filled, so I'll double check and do a complete oil change I think - I really hope it's not terminal...

[muzikill]

Got me thinking, what people do to get the bike level to check this. Side stand on a brick to get it level or do the dodgy bike wobble trying to hold it upright and check the level like a contortionist?

Originally Posted by muzikill

Got me thinking, what people do to get the bike level to check this. Side stand on a brick to get it level or do the dodgy bike wobble trying to hold it upright and check the level like a contortionist?

Paddock Stand or as the window is the opposite side to the stand just hold it up and look then gently lower it back onto the stand.

I'd advise doing a compression test, this will help finding out if the piston rings are damaged. This can probably be done on a DIY basis, the testers are about £14 on Ebay. 4 things required for an engine to start, fuel, spark, air, and compression.
I thought the oil level/pressure light would have come on way before the oil level got this low. Changing piston rings is a big job, not something for a diy, you'll need to take the crankshaft apart and take the pistons out, pretty much a full engine dismantle. Many garages don't even bother, as the cost of labour outweighs putting another engine in. Even if they take the job on, some of them send the block to an engineers, and get them to do it!

Are you sure it was white not light blue smoke, because blue smoke is oil burning off, and if you put 2lts of oil in that means there was only 0.6ltrs of oil left in it....... You would have seized it.
With the sv's the big pain is that you fill the oil up onto the clutch which takes AGES it get to the bottom I mean if it's cold nearly 3-4 mins to get to see it all. So my advise is next time you fill it up try to only fill up to just past half way if your in a rush. Easiest way to gauge on your own is to lean it on a wall as close as is safe to upright with a rag on the bar end so not to scratch it. but obviously easier with a friend there.
The thing that will happen when you restart it after draining the oil is it will blow shed loads of smoke for a good few mins so don't be concerned by this it is normal after this little boo boo. I also think you would be very unlucky to made the piston rings go, it's more the oil has pushed past them with pressure.

"I'd recommend taking the spark plugs out, and turning the engine over to blow out any excess oil from the combustion chamber." Good idea to do but Please Please put some rag over the spark plug holes when doing this or the garage will be painted oily colour free of charge : ).

Just to note on my first bit "You would have seized it." just to make sure I'm not scaring you I'm meaning thats what would have happened if there was that little oil which I don't think there was, I don't actually think you have done anything terminal.