DIY- Oil Change

[kroze]

Originally Posted by kkim

that's not what my manual reads.

What does your manual read?

In mine, on page 88, under "Recommended engine oil"

Type: API se, sf, sg, sh, sj, or SL with JASO, ma, ma1, ma2.
Viscosity: SAE 10w-40

If you search for API_ratings.pdf you'll find out that all of the oil type: se, sf, sg, sh, sj are obsolete and they no longer use them, instead the replace it with SL. SM are for 2004+ vehicles only while SL listed as: for 2004 and older engines.

[kkim]

yep, that's what my manual reads to... I'm sort of lost as to your previous post?

[kroze]

Meh

[kkim]

Originally Posted by kroze

Meh

[ScorpionNinja]

Heres my pics that i took of my Rotella T 5w-40 last year.







I dunno if they changed the bottle, or What this New Rotella T6 stuff looks like...

or what the API readings on the back are???

(someone needs to post a CLEAR CLOSE UP PIC of their bottle of the newer bottle of Rotella T6!!!)

So if you see... and your page 88 manual, manual dont say **** about CJ-4, CI-4,etc!

Ive wondered about my Rotella T all winter as my bike sat, about changing it.

As today i got home and bought some Amsoil 10w-40 motorcycle oil and im going to change it once i get a part for my bike, so i can ride it up to work to change my oil
(where i live im NOT allowed to work on cars,etc, a enviormental hazard and can be FINED if caught!)

I did read somewhere (cant remb where thou) about the API ratings of obselete ratings of SM,blah blah, but bottom line is...

The Rotella T pics of the stuff i used in my ninja, i think is the WRONG OIL to use in these Bikes!!!

[kroze]

Originally Posted by ScorpionNinja

Heres my pics that i took of my Rotella T 5w-40 last year.







I dunno if they changed the bottle, or What this New Rotella T6 stuff looks like...

or what the API readings on the back are???

(someone needs to post a CLEAR CLOSE UP PIC of their bottle of the newer bottle of Rotella T6!!!)

So if you see... and your page 88 manual, manual dont say **** about CJ-4, CI-4,etc!

Ive wondered about my Rotella T all winter as my bike sat, about changing it.

As today i got home and bought some Amsoil 10w-40 motorcycle oil and im going to change it once i get a part for my bike, so i can ride it up to work to change my oil
(where i live im NOT allowed to work on cars,etc, a enviormental hazard and can be FINED if caught!)

I did read somewhere (cant remb where thou) about the API ratings of obselete ratings of SM,blah blah, but bottom line is...

The Rotella T pics of the stuff i used in my ninja, i think is the WRONG OIL to use in these Bikes!!!

Yea do not use oil that service SM vehicles or anything with a C. You need to get one that said "Service SL" vehicles.

[ScorpionNinja]

After all, the bottle i bought it does say that its used for Diesel engines. Im not trying to start a fight here , but

Im just weiry of using Rotella T 5W-40 in the future for my bike!

I dont wanna see my Tranny end up like that one person's on the fourms here, "Changed the oil and found this" defect thread!

Like sumin outta "Mythbusters" Until someone sets up a Motorcycle Oil test, using 2 Ninja 08-10 250Rs, 1 with Rotella T, and the other with Amsoil 10w-40 (or Mobil 1,etc) and run both bikes for 100,000 miles with oil changes between 3-5k miles and such... to see if one of the 250R motors blows up... is beyond me!

I spent $19.99 on the rotella T at walmart, i spent $21.00 on 2 quarts of the Amsoil 10w-40!

[ScorpionNinja]

Diesel Engines are engineered to burn diesel fuel, which has to be compressed at a higher level than a gasoline engine, in order to ignite and burn.

[ScorpionNinja]

Originally Posted by kroze

What does your manual read?

In mine, on page 88, under "Recommended engine oil"

Type: API se, sf, sg, sh, sj, or SL with JASO, ma, ma1, ma2.
Viscosity: SAE 10w-40

If you search for API_ratings.pdf you'll find out that all of the oil type: se, sf, sg, sh, sj are obsolete and they no longer use them, instead the replace it with SL. SM are for 2004+ vehicles only while SL listed as: for 2004 and older engines.

Aye, so SM would be intact with the 2004 & newer vehicles, but still the manual page 88 doesnt state 'SM' in there. My ninja is a 2009 and to Print a Manual with such info w/o "SM" is Odd. That and Rotella T (my pics) do show at bottom, "API:SM in gasoline engines" but its supposed to be formulaed for Diesel engines?

[JokerSeven]

Look at the specs and approvals.....



http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?...t6_detail.html

[JokerSeven]

You can also research here
http://www.shellusserver.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php

They have a motorcycle forum if you scroll down.

Lots of info

[JokerSeven]

Ahh..

and who can forget ....Bob the oil guy http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/cms/

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...43#Post1862643

[zenrush]

Excellent write up. Thank you. I plan to follow this step by step as I do my first change this coming weekend. I ordered the Wix oil filter from Amazon. A 2-pack costs $10.81

[joyinc]

does anyone else find that the non-kawi o rings dont fit? i've bought a few different filters now, and i've had to order kawi o rings from my dealer

[LazinCajun]

K&N o rings fit fine.
Posted via Mobile Device

[joyinc]

really? i just picked up a K&N yesterday and they looked like the highflo ones that didnt fit... guess i wont know for sure till i try to put them in

[kkim]

Yep, it's a pretty tight fit, but the o-rings will slide on.

[joyinc]

oh good!

i can get that brand at canadian tire, so it'll be nice not to have to run to the dealer every time i want to change the oil

thanks!

[kkim]

if you have a difficult time getting the o-ring on, use a drop of oil to lube it first then try installing it. goes on much easier without possibly damaging the o-ring.

[joyinc]

yeah i've been doing that... the last one i tried (from the hiflo) wasnt tight at all... it slid into the grove, but the diameter of the ring was so big that there was a half inch or so extra

[jonthechron]

Originally Posted by joyinc

does anyone else find that the non-kawi o rings dont fit? i've bought a few different filters now, and i've had to order kawi o rings from my dealer

yeah, the larger o ring that came with the KN-401 oil filter doesn't fit on the ninjette, i was disapointed and ended up using the older o-ring

[kkim]

Originally Posted by jonthechron

yeah, the o ring that came with the KN oil filter doesnt fit on the ninjette

why doesn't it fit?

[Soujyu]

Originally Posted by jonthechron

yeah, the larger o ring that came with the KN-401 oil filter doesn't fit on the ninjette, i was disapointed and ended up using the older o-ring

Originally Posted by kkim

why doesn't it fit?

Actually, it does.

I use the KN-401 oil filter myself and can get the larger o-ring in with a little bit of coaxing. It may appear that it is "too big", but as you work the ring in, it will fit in the groove correctly.

[jonthechron]

well I assumed it was too big because when I put it over the original kawasaki one, it was completly overlapping it

the kawasaki one could actually fit inside the k&n one

i even tried it on the cover and it wouldn't fit, I don't know if I will risk trying it, especially not when Im paying 25$ a quart of oil

[kkim]

Originally Posted by LazinCajun

K&N o rings fit fine.
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by jonthechron

yeah, the larger o ring that came with the KN-401 oil filter doesn't fit on the ninjette, i was disapointed and ended up using the older o-ring

Jon,

I'm just trying to figure out why it is that some K&N filters have o-rings that work and some don't. Don't quite understand it. What part number is your filter?

[Cab305]

Originally Posted by kkim

Jon,

I'm just trying to figure out why it is that some K&N filters have o-rings that work and some don't. Don't quite understand it. What part number is your filter?

Just picked up a KN-401 from Cycle Gear today, will be doing my first oil change tomorrow.
Will report on ring fit by noon. Will be using your excellent write up as guide.

Just reading back through thread Im a little concerned about my 1/2 torque wrench overdoing it. Will report on that as well.

Almost forgot, can I do the oil change with just the rear stand? Will the oil drain completely with ass all up in the air?

[BlueRaven]

The big o-ring will fit with a little playing around and the small one i use a little of oil on it to slide it into place. I have used three K&N oil filters so far with no problem.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by Cab305

Almost forgot, can I do the oil change with just the rear stand? Will the oil drain completely with ass all up in the air?

that will work just fine... that's how I do my changes, anyway.

you can also do it with the bike on it's sidestand, though it's a bit harder reaching under.

[Cab305]

Follow Up:

O rings (large one from K&N at first application does seem large) I loobed it up and after a couple of minutes of forcing my finger around the edge, went in fine.

One emergency question, I might have acccidentialy overtorqued filter. Results?

Also couldn't find another lock washer at auto parts store, I know its one time use, but will it hold out for the next 150 mile till second break in oil change?

Any suggestions?

[joyinc]

i reused my crush washer the first time as well, but i did my first oil change at 200kms.... i havent noticed anything, but i'll replace it at the next change...

if you think you over torqued the bolt, why not just loosen it and do it over?

[Cab305]

I did (loosen and re-torque), just concerned that I might have crushed/bent/broken something first.

[BlueRaven]

Just keep an eye for any leaks.

I did this once when my torque wrench didn't click at first. I felt i was tightening too much for the recommended torque, stopped, loosened it and tried it again.

I bought another torque wrench, i don't trust my dad when he uses my tools. He doesn't touch this one.

[Cab305]

Originally Posted by BlueRaven

I felt i was tightening too much for the recommended torque, stopped, loosened it and tried it again.

Ditto, I have a massive 1/2 torque wrench, too big for the job. LOL

[joyinc]

silly question since we are talking about torque wrenches...

i change my oil with the bike on a rear stand... i use the standard long torque wrench... the kind you have to look at, not the clicking kind... anywho, the long handle makes it impossible to use on the drain plug, so i just go by feel by how tight i do up the oil filter.

do they make shorter torque wrenches that'll fit better? or am i safe doing it by feel?

[Snake]

Originally Posted by joyinc

silly question since we are talking about torque wrenches...

i change my oil with the bike on a rear stand... i use the standard long torque wrench... the kind you have to look at, not the clicking kind... anywho, the long handle makes it impossible to use on the drain plug, so i just go by feel by how tight i do up the oil filter.

do they make shorter torque wrenches that'll fit better? or am i safe doing it by feel?

Yes there are shorter torque wrenches that fit better. Sears is a good place to look. Using the "feel" method is not a good idea as you do not know beyond a shadow of a doubt if it is torqued to specifications. It may be too loose or even too tight.

[joyinc]

ok, i'll keep looking for one!
i never thought to look at sears... i just went to canadian tire and all they had were long handled ones...

[BlueRaven]

I had seen a Mastercraft Torque Adaptor (Canadian Tire brand) on sale a few weeks ago that you fit on your ratchet. Says you can put it on a 1/2 and 3/8 ratchet. Here's a link. Unfortunately the range is from 20 to 99 ft-lb. Still a cool gadget.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

[joyinc]

thats the thing they tried to sell me... i'm not sure it'll fit with that on either... besides i wouldnt mind one of the wrenches that click... so maybe i'll just invest in a nice short one
Posted via Mobile Device

[kkim]

this is what I use...


http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eig...rench-807.html

[joyinc]

yeah, i need something like that... not sure how short it is, but it doesnt look nearly as long as mine!