Did my dealer overfill my oil???

[Towjam]

<sigh>

Just got my ST back from its 600 mile service. Prior to the service, my oil level was just a hair above the the top "full" mark on the site window when on the center stand. After getting home from the dealer, I noticed that on the center stand, the site window is completely full. When on the side stand, the oil is right at the center of the window.

Did my dealer hose me?

[Muskoka]

<sigh>

Just got my ST back from its 600 mile service. Prior to the service, my oil level was just a hair above the the top "full" mark on the site window when on the center stand. After getting home from the dealer, I noticed that on the center stand, the site window is completely full. When on the side stand, the oil is right at the center of the window.

Did my dealer hose me?
Check out this link for the proper procedure for checking the level:
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8295
ST1300 Engine-Transmission Oil Change - ST-Owners.com Forums

Muskoka
:03biker: :03biker: :03biker:

[Tor]

Sounds like they filled/checked the oil while it was on the kickstand.....not good. They never learn....

[JReviere]

The above is a GOOD procedure. I do it somewhat differently. With the engine hot, on side stand, working from the right side, I position the drain pan, remove the sump dran plug and let it drain for half an hour or so while I go read forums like this one. Then I put the sump plug back in, secure it checking the sealing washer. BTW, the suggestion to use a washer only twice is on the safe side. (I've never had to replac one in the 60+ years I've been riding and servicing my bike myself.) Then I put the bike on the center stand, using the cap type filter wrench, I break the filter loose. Remove the wrench when I can turn the filter by hand. (if it's not removed, it can jam against the center stand cross member.) At this point if the filter is seeping a bit, by hand turn it back in to stop the seep. With some aluminum foil, I form a channel under the filter 'cause the drain pan won't slide under the center stand cross member. Holding this channel in place w/one hand, I turn the filter out until it is drained, then remove the filter, turn it upside down in the drain pan, put the foil in the drain pan, use a clean shop towel wipe the filter mount area clean.. be sure the old gasket (large O ring) is not stuck there and came off with the old filter.. With a new filter, pre-oiled O ring of course, I screw the filter onto the oil cooler and tighten it by hand 3/4 of a turn after I feel resistance (when the sealing O ring makes first contact with the sealing surface on the oil cooler). Then I get up and stretch my aching old bones, and having accessed the fill port on the right cylinder valve cover gasket as described in the article above, I pour in 4 Quarts of my choice of engine oil, install the fill cap, and run the engine until 30 or 40 seconds AFTER the oil idiot light goes out. then I shut down and wait the magic 3 min, get a flash light, visually inspect the oil level... it's always BETWEEN the sight glass lines... I button up, clean up, and go ride..... My normal PRE-RIDE inspexion with bike on center stand, it may be sitting a week that way... I check the oil level... it's always almost exactly MID-WAY between the top and the bottom lines on the sight glass cover... So long as it's between the lines... GO RIDE....

I've a construction project going on. We have to burn trash. I use the old oil to get a good fire going... when that's past, my County provides free recycle disposal of used engine oil... Auto Zone, WallyWorld, etc. all take the old oil for resale to a rerefiner... RECYCLE the old oil...

JR
STOC 394
ORF 13
03ST1300A
Lake Livingston, TX

[HankSTer]

I know the dealer where I bought my bike they overfilled the oil. It was only run though to put the bike on the trailer. I noticed it when we had it up on the trailer.

So much to my buddies unhappiness, we rolled it off and I had him push me up the driveway. I didnt' want to start it until I drained the excess out. Must have been close to a quart.

For all those that are afraid of messing with the bike for fear of screwing something up, I guarantee you that there's alot (maybe all?) things you can do better then alot of dealers!

[SupraSabre]

For my 600 mile check up at the dealers, yep, they overfilled it too. :cus: Only when I first checked it, it looked okay. Then, after riding it for two days back and forth to work (200 miles), I decided to check it again. It was about a cup over. I pulled out the plug, let what I thought needed to come out, come out and plugged it up again. After checking it again, it was right on. (I've checked it a few times since, and it is still on!:p: )

I now have 1,500 miles on it and and plan to change it again at 2,000. Once this silly rains stops, I'll be able to start riding it back and forth to work again. :biker:

[nm6r]

Did you have the dealer change your final drive oil too? The incompetent dealers are notorious for over filling that too. It will lead to leaking seals.

As far as a technical procedure for checking the oil, that's rediculous. Wait a few minutes if the engine was just run. Check the sight glass with the ST on the centerstand on a level surface. It doesn't make any difference if you check 5 minutes after running the engine or 5 days. There will be slight fluctuations in the level viewed in the sight glass from check to check no matter what procedure.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[ligito]

Now Ray, don't go gettin' all fired up.:04biker:

[ccryder]

I've lost count how many times in 42,000 miles I've changed mine and it's never been overfilled, hmmm, go figure. I drain it hot, on the side stand, and pull the filter on the side stand. After that I button it all back up and put it on the center stand. I add 4 qts and warm it up till 3 bars and then let it drain back for 3-5 mins. I usually have to add another 6-8 ozs to bring it to the middle of the sight-glass.

Time2Play.

Neil S.

[Towjam]

Did you have the dealer change your final drive oil too? The incompetent dealers are notorious for over filling that too. It will lead to leaking seals.

As far as a technical procedure for checking the oil, that's rediculous. Wait a few minutes if the engine was just run. Check the sight glass with the ST on the centerstand on a level surface. It doesn't make any difference if you check 5 minutes after running the engine or 5 days. There will be slight fluctuations in the level viewed in the sight glass from check to check no matter what procedure. Fortunately (or not), I didn't have the dealer change the final drive oil. In fact, I'll be doing that and my future oil changes. The only reason I didn't do this time is because I wanted to be on record with the dealer that I had brought it in for the 600 mile service.

I took the ST back to the dealer and they did drain out a little oil - not sure how much but now the oil level is right at the "full" mark while on the center stand. Hopefully, I don't have an airbox full of oil or any blown seals. I rode it pretty hard home from the dealer (about 15 miles) and then 15 (gentle) miles back to the dealer. I would've drained the oil out myself but again, I wanted to go on record that they screwed the pooch. I'm good friends with the owner and I've sent him a note letting him know that this is the third time his service department has screwed up oil changes on my bikes. (They overfilled a 600RR, underfilled a VTX1300 and now the ST. You'd think I'd learn by now.) From now on, I do my own fluid changes.

:banghead:

[Towjam]

I want to verify that I didn't hose anything between the time I picked the bike up from the dealer and the time I got it back to them to drain out the extra oil. If the air filter is clean, is that a good indication that all's well?

[HankSTer]

Towjam,
that's a good question. Maybe someone else can help us out here, but I don't *think* there's any way short of taking the engine apart and checking seals etc etc. At least to be positive anyway.

I do know from old mechanics, they've always said it's just as bad to run a motor with too much oil as it is too little.

You'd think these dealerships would do better don't ya? I know I do. My Nissan Maxima was overfilled 3 times in a row by the same Nissan dealership. The last time I made the service manager sign my receipt (I drove it for a bit and then brought it back) indicating what they did wrong. We almost got into a fist fight over it. I was extremely pissed.

My guess is yer okay, but I might consider having the dealer acknowledge it in writing in case a seal starts leaking etc. Warrantied I know, but Honda may want to see that info if it ever comes to that.

[Towjam]

My guess is yer okay, but I might consider having the dealer acknowledge it in writing in case a seal starts leaking etc. Warrantied I know, but Honda may want to see that info if it ever comes to that.Good point. I do have an ongoing email thread with the owner of the dealership regarding this.