Oil isn't draining down into oil chamber! helpp!

[tammyxpr]

I apologize for being kind of lengthy, I just wanted to be as thorough as possible.

Hey guys, my name is Tammy. I just bought a used 2010
ninja 250 from a small time auto dealer. Its my first bike, so I'm used to all this maintenance stuff. However, I preformed my first oil change on it (everything was as black as could be), it looked like previous owner never bothered with any maintenance. When I started my oil change I only got to the draining and then had to leave for work and wasnt able to finish it until 2 days later (I closed everything back up). I finished up the oil change (with a cold engine) and put some oil in the oil chamber, nothing came down tht I could see through the oil window. I s**** a pan and some paper towels underneath to see of anything would leak over night. In the AM there was a lil drop underneath the drain plug, i tightened it a bit and took the bike for a ride around the block to warm up the engine. The bike was still at a "minimal" oil level after putting in 1.5 quarts of oil in it. I bought another quart, put in half the next day and another half after that. Every time I put the oil in is after a block ride so the engine is nice and warm. At this point ive out in apprx. 2.5 quarts of oil and it is still borderlining the minimum level. There arent any signs of leaking where the bike is parked, but I mean, what else could it be??? Im really lost at this point. Please help!
**bike is currently at 2360 miles. Aprx. 2250 at time of oil change**

[Alex]

How are you measuring the oil level in the sight glass? The engine needs to be off, and the bike needs to be straight up and down (not on the kickstand).

[cuong-nutz]

^^ what he said. You can hold the bike upright and take a look at the sight glass to see your engine oil level. You can have someone hold your bike upright while your check or place a 2x4 under the kickstand to get it closer to upright. Just have a hand on the bike so that it doesn't accidentally fall over.

[csmith12]

^^^^

At 2.5 quarts of oil added, unless it's leaking out somewhere, you might want to get prepared to drain some out.

And welcome Tammy!

[jkv45]

I think they nailed the problem - and you are most likely over-filled at this point.

Before running again balance the cycle vertical and check the level. If it's too high you can use a long clear tube to siphon some out of the filler opening. That's much more controllable than removing and re-installing the drain plug or oil filter.

To properly check it (after it's close) you need to start the engine and run it for a minute or two - but it doesn't need to be fully warm. Shut it off and wait 2 to 3 minutes to let the correct amount of oil drain back to the sump, then level the cycle and check it.

[tammyxpr]

Wow! I cant believe I forgot to center the bike when reading the oil gauge! Lol well im glad its a simple fix and not something more serious. Thanks guys!

[alex.s]

don't leave too much oil in there. it causes issues

[Foxrider64]

Originally Posted by alex.s

don't leave too much oil in there. it causes issues

Best way I have found to remove oil from being overfilled is to take a pump pray bottle and put the tube in the filler hole and pump some out.

Keep in mind to keep the bike vertical when doing this. For the first time trying it- have a friend hold the bike upright.


Good luck