- Joined
- Oct 26, 2020
- Messages
- 422
- Location
- Makefield Highlands PA
- Bike
- 2016 ST1300P
- 2026 Miles
- 001148
It's not every oil change that should have a good engine flushing included but, here are the steps and of course the way you know you did it correctly.
It's important to have the correct oil and twice the volume you require on hand, you want to do this in one take. I went with Rotella, you may have another favorite brand. The Rotella comes in a convenient 2.5 US gallon container, more than enough for this project. I wanted to flush the clutch with it warm so I pulled the lower cowl.
Have the bike on the center stand unless you use a wheel chock. A 17mm wrench will loosen the drain plug, place your drain pan under the plug to catch the drain oil. Remove the plug and start to loosen the oil filter. The choice of this tool is a filter wrench plier for me. As it drains get your measuring cup ready, I am using a 2000ML and will be pouring approximately 3.9 liters in the crankcase. The fill is on the right side of the engine just below the front spark plug wire. Make sure you have adjusted the drain pan to catch the oil from the filter, remove old filter and install new, oil the gasket. This next part is important so you know you have done it correctly. Adjust the drain pan away from the drain plug.
I prefer a flexible funnel, any that fit will work. I fill the 2000ML cup once, pouring in slowly so as not to spill any. I refill with 1900ML and repeat. This is the part where you will know if you have flushed the crankcase correctly. Walk around to the left side of the bike, if you see 3.9 Liters on the floor, congratulations you have flushed the crankcase and are now ready to put the drain plug and refill. Having some towels or floor diapers available will make clean up a snap.
Pro tip: leave you tools under the bike to get a coating of oil on them so they don't rust.
Example photo of a correct flush.
It's important to have the correct oil and twice the volume you require on hand, you want to do this in one take. I went with Rotella, you may have another favorite brand. The Rotella comes in a convenient 2.5 US gallon container, more than enough for this project. I wanted to flush the clutch with it warm so I pulled the lower cowl.
Have the bike on the center stand unless you use a wheel chock. A 17mm wrench will loosen the drain plug, place your drain pan under the plug to catch the drain oil. Remove the plug and start to loosen the oil filter. The choice of this tool is a filter wrench plier for me. As it drains get your measuring cup ready, I am using a 2000ML and will be pouring approximately 3.9 liters in the crankcase. The fill is on the right side of the engine just below the front spark plug wire. Make sure you have adjusted the drain pan to catch the oil from the filter, remove old filter and install new, oil the gasket. This next part is important so you know you have done it correctly. Adjust the drain pan away from the drain plug.
I prefer a flexible funnel, any that fit will work. I fill the 2000ML cup once, pouring in slowly so as not to spill any. I refill with 1900ML and repeat. This is the part where you will know if you have flushed the crankcase correctly. Walk around to the left side of the bike, if you see 3.9 Liters on the floor, congratulations you have flushed the crankcase and are now ready to put the drain plug and refill. Having some towels or floor diapers available will make clean up a snap.
Pro tip: leave you tools under the bike to get a coating of oil on them so they don't rust.
Example photo of a correct flush.
