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Oil Worries

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Pernig, Sep 29, 2008.

  1. Pernig

    Pernig New Member

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    I checked the oil and it's very low. Like literally on the minimum of the sight glass. I've done a couple of thousand miles since I got it so I'm going to do an oil and filter change to be safe. Also going to change the oil filter bolt as it's a bit corroded on the head. The oil light on the dash lights up when I press the starter but it switches off once the engine is running.

    Been looking around and it seems 20w40 or 10w30 is recommended by the owner's manual. The website that I'm ordering filter and bolt from are saying 5w40. What would you guys recommend? Also, are Maxims OK with cheap oil or should I spend as much as I can?
     
  2. bill

    bill Active Member

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    Oil light coming on at start is normal. I run Castrol 20W50 you want a good oil with no additives - they can cause clutch slippage.

    I am also changing the oil every 1000 miles, overkill but on any engine it is the cheapest way to get extended life.
     
  3. flash1259

    flash1259 Member

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    I would use a torque wrench to put it back on. I learned from experiance that the cover is not as strong as i thought

    I have about 1000 miles on this oil change. not many more left for this year gonna change it this week and try to get another 500 miles before it starts snowing. I go to autozone and I get 10w40 motorcycle oil right now

    but i think that when spring comes back I will switch back to amsoil motorcycle oil.

    I have a heck of a list of things i would like to do to the bike before next spring. so I better start with the easy stuff first.
     
  4. TIMEtoRIDE

    TIMEtoRIDE Active Member

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    I've been a fan of synthetic oil for 12 years, and regular oil changes keeping my equipment alive, but these XJ's have a starter clutch that doesn't like synthetic oil (too slippery? I don't get it) so recently on my 900 I switched out most of the oil for my other favorite- - Castrol GTX 20 W 50.
    According to the service manual, an oil change without a filter change leaves behind 1,100 CC's of oil. While re-filling, I left my ignition on to see when the "low oil" light turns off, which was right at the end of 1 Quart. That means it should turn on when we are a little more than a quart low, not counting bumps.
    20W40 will be hard to find. I would stay with a 20W50 of a name brand. Save the "grocery store" brand for the beater car and old mower.
     
  5. luvmy40

    luvmy40 Member

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    I am by no definition an expert on these bikes (yet) :D

    But, I did find that mine does not like the lighter viscosity oils. With anything but 20/50 (yamalube or amsoil) the clutch is stiff and slips when accelerating and the top end is loud and obnoxious. Maybe just my bike but I'm pretty sure that I have seen at least one other thread here that confirms that these bikes operate better with 20/50 in their bellies.

    Do make sure that you are using a quality MOTORCYCLE oil with out the detergents found in automotive oils or you will wreak havoc on your clutches.
     
  6. Pernig

    Pernig New Member

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    Thanks for all your help!

    I've decided to go for 20w50. Ordered this:

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0171940845

    Millers is a premium brand for classic cars and bikes in the UK, so it looks like it's up to the job. Will have enough to do the 2800ml change with the filter and also have some spare if it needs topping up again.

    Thanks again for your help :).
     
  7. martinfan30

    martinfan30 Member

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    I do this exact thing on all my bikes and they will last forever.
     
  8. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    You didn't need to order Oil in a Private Label.
    Castrol would have done just fine.

    In the cooler weather, the Oil Light may come on due to cooler temperatures keeping the Viscosity from thinning-out from heat.

    When that happens, the Engine Oil takes longer to get back to the Sump via the Scavenge Passages.
    The delay in getting back to the Sump will trigger the Sensor and make the Oil Light come on.

    But, if you are experiencing a situation where the Bike is "Using" Oil and the Level IS diminishing ... you need to find-out why?
    If you are running too Lean and burning the Oil Sheen on the Cylinder Walls; that's an unhealthy situation you need to tune-out by enriching your Mixture.
     

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