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Oil now only half way up on oil level window XJ650

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by morg65, Jul 20, 2013.

  1. morg65

    morg65 Member

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    Gang,
    I'm sure there is a thread somewhere but I cant see to find it so my query is.
    I recently changed the oil on my XJ650, maybe a month ago. Filled it up as recommended here until I can see a small bubble at the top. Thing is...Now its only half way up the window. No sign of a leak anywhere, no smoke from the exhaust,...,So... Do XJ's use oil and how often should I top up.?
    Thaks all as always.
    Morg in Dublin, Ireland
     
    morg65, Jul 20, 2013
    #1
  2. motors-guitars

    motors-guitars Member

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    I thought the same thing at first but i noticed a minor leak from the center of the valve cover ( right under the tank)
     
    motors-guitars, Jul 20, 2013
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  3. jmilliken

    jmilliken Well-Known Member

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    How much oil did you put in when you filled it up? you need about an extra 300 CC's or so from whats cast on the engine for the oil filter.
     
    jmilliken, Jul 20, 2013
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  4. KrS14

    KrS14 Active Member

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    I've got a very slow leak from the center of my valve cover as well. Those donuts don't last long :(
     
    KrS14, Jul 20, 2013
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  5. morg65

    morg65 Member

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    Thanks guys,
    I put the recommended 2.95 litres in cos I also replaced the filter.
    No obvious leaks.
    Thanks.
    Morg
     
    morg65, Jul 20, 2013
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  6. prince_albert3

    prince_albert3 Member

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    Sounds odd. Have you checked the left-side shifter cover, possibly even around the shift rod itself?
     
    prince_albert3, Jul 20, 2013
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  7. kleraudio

    kleraudio Member

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    I'll be keeping an eye on this as I plan to change my oil tomorrow. What did you mean a bubble at the top?
     
    kleraudio, Jul 20, 2013
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  8. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    If you have a weeping valve stem seal there might not be enough smoke for you to notice. Check your plugs.
     
    k-moe, Jul 20, 2013
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  9. sektorgaz

    sektorgaz Member

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    The oil sight window on the right bottom side of bike shows the oil level in the engine. Fill it until you see a small "bubble" of empty space at the top.
     
    sektorgaz, Jul 20, 2013
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  10. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Umm...

    How many miles in that "maybe a month" and how hard do you run it?

    Do you always check it cold, or sometimes check it hot and sometimes cold?

    What oil are you running?

    Some oil consumption is to be expected from a 30-year old motor, even if it's "healthy."
     
    bigfitz52, Jul 21, 2013
    #10
  11. morg65

    morg65 Member

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    Hey bigfitz52,
    Thanks for this.
    I do a round trip of 50 miles 5 days a week. So close to 1000 miles.
    I dont really drive her hard. Usually around 70 mph.
    I am using the correct oil... 20w40 4T mineral oil. I cant get it in Ireland so I sourced it in Germany.
     
    morg65, Jul 22, 2013
    #11
  12. apezman07

    apezman07 New Member

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    i thought you were supposed to fill it up to the center of the sight glass?
     
    apezman07, Jul 30, 2013
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  13. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Nope. There are two marks stamped into the case next to the sight glass. The upper one is the "full" mark; the lower one is the "add" mark. You can safely run the engine so long as the oil level is between those two marks, but you're shorting the engine some much-needed cooling capacity.
     
    k-moe, Jul 30, 2013
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  14. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    I put the Bike on the Center Stand.
    Slowly add Oil until the Level nears the top of the Sight Glass.
    I cheat it because I'm running with an Oil Cooler.
     
    RickCoMatic, Jul 30, 2013
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  15. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    when you filled it with a new filter, till just a bubble showed. did you start it and check it again? the filter was empty, now it's full
     
    Polock, Jul 30, 2013
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