oil change question

ProdigyRacingLA · April 19th, 2012, 12:50 PM

So I changed my oil 2 days ago!
Used the correct oil and all of that, it runs like a dream and much better response when I open it up.

But I'm Not seeing the oil level on the engine gauge filling up.
It stills says there is the minimum amount of oil in there. I used 1.7 qts. And put in a new filter.

How long does it take for that guage to become accurate and show there is the right amount of oil in the engine?

Thnx in advance !
-P.R LA

gilmorec61 · April 19th, 2012, 12:54 PM

The bike should be off and level when you check it.

Boom King · April 19th, 2012, 12:57 PM

^^ Follow this. Also give it a bit of time for the oil to settle. After that, if it's still a little low, add a very small amount until it moves up the sight glass. Don't overfill! 1.7 qts is the stated amount as per the manual but I know it can slightly differ from bike to bike. Mine always takes slightly more.

Whiskey · April 19th, 2012, 01:03 PM

I assume you mean the sight glass not the temp guage (which may or may not be on US models)

The bike should be left off for about 15 mins & be fully upright when you check the oil level, it takes time for the oil to drain back down into the sump after it's been running and the sight glass is only accurate when the bike is level.

AFAIK there's a kill switch that kicks in if there's too little oil (but the sensor threshold is very low)

ProdigyRacingLA · April 19th, 2012, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the reply guys, and it is the sight glass. That's the correcy term I was looking for. I didn't know how else to call it besides a guage.haha

Well its been two days, and I did add a little extra oil over the 1.7. But ill level the bike and check again. Just thought it was odd.

Jono · April 19th, 2012, 05:54 PM

I didn't know they newgens require a different amount of oil than the pregen. On the pregen it is 1.6qt if you don't replace the filter and 2.0qt if you replace the filter. Soooo, you probably just need to add a little oil. Just add a bit, look in the site glass, and repeat until it is at the proper level.

capriccio · April 19th, 2012, 06:36 PM

Did you check the oil level right after you turn off the engine or on kick stand ?

Ninja1 · April 19th, 2012, 06:39 PM

According to the manuals the amounts of oil are:
1.3 L if you keep the filter
1.6 L if you change the filter
1.7 L if the engine is completely dry (not sure what it takes to completely dry the engine but that's what it says)

I changed the oil last Saturday and when I put the bike on rear stands the oil level was ok. I went for a spin and checked the oil again by "holding" the bike and it was not reliable because tilting 1-2 inches each way can change the oil level substantially.

capriccio · April 19th, 2012, 06:46 PM

If you went out for a spin, the oil was in the engine. You will have to wait until it cool down and check again. But if you put 1.7 qt, I don't see a problem. As long as no leak !

April 19th, 2012, 12:50 PM	#1
ProdigyRacingLA ninjette.org member Name: Brian Location: Los Angeles Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Red Posts: 93	oil change question So I changed my oil 2 days ago! Used the correct oil and all of that, it runs like a dream and much better response when I open it up. But I'm Not seeing the oil level on the engine gauge filling up. It stills says there is the minimum amount of oil in there. I used 1.7 qts. And put in a new filter. How long does it take for that guage to become accurate and show there is the right amount of oil in the engine? Thnx in advance ! -P.R LA

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April 19th, 2012, 12:54 PM	#2
gilmorec61 ninjette.org guru Name: Chris Location: Newnan, G.A. Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 347	The bike should be off and level when you check it.

April 19th, 2012, 12:57 PM	#3
Boom King So, where's the reverse? Name: Anson Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	^^ Follow this. Also give it a bit of time for the oil to settle. After that, if it's still a little low, add a very small amount until it moves up the sight glass. Don't overfill! 1.7 qts is the stated amount as per the manual but I know it can slightly differ from bike to bike. Mine always takes slightly more.

April 19th, 2012, 01:03 PM	#4
Whiskey ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Morgan Location: A city twinned with Kawasaki Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, 2010 STR 675 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	I assume you mean the sight glass not the temp guage (which may or may not be on US models) The bike should be left off for about 15 mins & be fully upright when you check the oil level, it takes time for the oil to drain back down into the sump after it's been running and the sight glass is only accurate when the bike is level. AFAIK there's a kill switch that kicks in if there's too little oil (but the sensor threshold is very low)

April 19th, 2012, 01:55 PM	#5
ProdigyRacingLA ninjette.org member Name: Brian Location: Los Angeles Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Red Posts: 93	Thanks for the reply guys, and it is the sight glass. That's the correcy term I was looking for. I didn't know how else to call it besides a guage.haha Well its been two days, and I did add a little extra oil over the 1.7. But ill level the bike and check again. Just thought it was odd.

April 19th, 2012, 05:54 PM	#6
Jono ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jono Location: Memphis, TN Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Triumph Street Triple, 2009 KLX250SF, 2003 Suzuki SV650S (Sold), 2006 Ninja 250 (Sold) Posts: A lot.	I didn't know they newgens require a different amount of oil than the pregen. On the pregen it is 1.6qt if you don't replace the filter and 2.0qt if you replace the filter. Soooo, you probably just need to add a little oil. Just add a bit, look in the site glass, and repeat until it is at the proper level.

April 19th, 2012, 06:36 PM	#7
capriccio ninjette.org member Name: Alex Location: Providence, RI Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 76	Did you check the oil level right after you turn off the engine or on kick stand ?

April 19th, 2012, 06:39 PM	#8
Ninja1 ninjette.org member Name: Chadi Location: Ottawa Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R Posts: 67	According to the manuals the amounts of oil are: 1.3 L if you keep the filter 1.6 L if you change the filter 1.7 L if the engine is completely dry (not sure what it takes to completely dry the engine but that's what it says) I changed the oil last Saturday and when I put the bike on rear stands the oil level was ok. I went for a spin and checked the oil again by "holding" the bike and it was not reliable because tilting 1-2 inches each way can change the oil level substantially.

April 19th, 2012, 06:46 PM	#9
capriccio ninjette.org member Name: Alex Location: Providence, RI Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 76	If you went out for a spin, the oil was in the engine. You will have to wait until it cool down and check again. But if you put 1.7 qt, I don't see a problem. As long as no leak !