Oil consumption anyone ? ...

[Horst]

This is just an observation ... when I ride the ST 'normally' it does not use any oil to speak of, but under 'spirited riding conditions' it does seem to use a bit, maybe 1/3 L in 1,000 miles or so. The glass oil window is a bit lower than it was before, same level place, cold. Anyone else notice this ?

[LandRover]

Actually, I have. Commuting, goofing off, and general day-to-day riding has no discernable effect on oil level. Two weeks ago, I took a 4k trip up the East Coast to Canada, mostly superslab, and did notice that I was "losing" oil. I say it that way, because my riding partner says that he never saw any smoke, and I don't find any leaks. Where is it going?

I used approx. 1/2 quart or so in 4125 miles. She runs wonderfully, gave no issues, just lost oil. Very odd ....

Anybody else having similar issues?

[sttourer]

Count me in. I ran the MTF SS1K yesterday. When I left Friday night my oil level was right at the top mark of the window. After 1300 miles, it has dropped to the middle. That is right between the upper and lower mark.

I'd sure like to find out what's going on. None of my other Honda's have had 'disappearing' oil. :confused:

Pat

[CruisingDog]

How long did you leave the bike stand on it's center stand before re-checking the oil levels ?

[sttourer]

How long did you leave the bike stand on it's center stand before re-checking the oil levels ?

Following the instructions from the owners manual, I let it run for 3 or 4 minutes then checked it about 3 minutes later. I checked it again at 15 minutes. Same thing. I just checked it again (6 hours) and it is still at the same level. The oil has to be going somewhere.

[dannyk]

What weight and type oil are you running, I remember Norman saying that his seemed to burn off the 5W40 so he went to a heavier oil and that cured it. When I went on a 3200 mile ride this spring I used about a pint of oil and I wasn't concerned about that. I will switch to a heavier oil for my trip out west coming up in july though. I have noticed that running in the cooler weather here it stays at the upper mark, as soon as I run it in some heat, like 90 degrees for an extended time mine goes down also, 5W40 oil will switch to 20W50 AMS oil for the up coming ride:biker:

[sttourer]

What weight and type oil are you running

Mobil 1 MX4T 10W-40. I'm not up on my viscosity. Is 10W-40 lighter or heavier.

Thanks.

[Horst]

Hmmm, I think 5W40 is too thin anytime ... 10W40 or even 20W50 for me, and if I was riding in CA it would be 20W50. As for checking I always check it cold in the same spot ... that way it's consistent.

[sttourer]

I just realized this message was under 'ST1100 Tech'. Missed that under the 'New Posts'. Mine is an '05.

Anyway, I found this information posted on a GL1800 site. The author is very knowlegdable and has even created a series of maintenance cd's for the GL1800.

The bike does not burn or leak oil, but the crankcase vapor recovery system draws off the oil vapors, and it looses about a cup or two every 3K miles or so depending on temperature and how hard I am riding. Climbing up and down through 12K ft in the mountains also creates a lot of vapor loss. Normal operation

Any thoughts?

[dond]

Hmmm, I think 5W40 is too thin anytime ... 10W40 or even 20W50 for me, and if I was riding in CA it would be 20W50. As for checking I always check it cold in the same spot ... that way it's consistent.
CA is a large STate and very diverse in its geography and climate. The all time temp extremes are:
Low=Indio CA -45F
High=Furnace Creek CA 134F


Calif native:

[Horst]

Yes, it snows in California, I know ... still, the manual says 10W40 or 20W50, why would anyone use 5W ...

[NormanPCN]

What weight and type oil are you running, I remember Norman saying that his seemed to burn off the 5W40 so he went to a heavier oil and that cured it.

Your remember correctly. I was buring about a pint in 2K miles with the Rotella 5-40 synthetic. I switched to synthetic at 2200 miles and the bike burned 1 pint in 1600 miles with the factor 10-40 dino juice. My first run with Mobil 1 15-50 the burn was more like 1 pint in 5k and most of that was near the end of the 5k. My second run with the 15-50 is confirming the first. The top to the bottom index lines on the sight glass are 1 pint.

Mobil 1 15-50 is a "light" 50. 50 weight is actually a range of viscosities and the 15-50 is on the light end of that range.

[Horst]

Mobil 15W50 (red cap) is a great oil ... have used it.

The way it was explained to the GWRRA board by a petroleum engineer some time back was - you basically have a 15W oil that behaves like a 50W at 300F or so ... this means the oil is 'working' about 3.3 times harder than usual and this is all good.

With a 5W50, you have a 5W weight oil that is working 10 TIMES harder at 300F than usual - a lot to ask of any oil. That solved the oil mystery for me. Have not heard a better explanation yet ... ;)

PS: many of the 5W (and now 0W) oils are meant for newer cars, and also meant to be changed at 3,000 mile intervals. Main difference between our STeeds and cars ? ... 1) tranny 2) wet clutch

[basco]

I never lost any oil on the 03 or 05 in 3-5k mile oil changes depending on riding habits. If I rode hard, like at a meet then I change it more often. If I commuted 5k miles and no hard riding then I change it at that interval.