Oil level in sight glass...

ikaika808 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 08:03 PM

I just changed my oil and was wondering if anyone can tell me what the oil level should be in the site glass on a 2006 749...?? I am also getting 2 different readings... when the Bike is up on Pitbull stands and completely level... the oil inthe sight glass is between the MIN and MAX lines... when the bike is on the ground off the stand and held level the oil is now higher and just below the MAX mark... How can that be possible...?? Is the oil better to run near the MIN mark or the MAX mark ???

Thanks in advance , Roland / Ikaika808

749Seddie · #2 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 08:13 PM

Mine does the same thing either on or off the stand(normal). I keep my level around the lower level, because of track use. I run it near the rev limiter all the time, and when it is near the lower level...less blow-by.

ikaika808 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 08:21 PM

Thanks for the quick response... If my bike is a street dedicated bike would just below the MAX mark of the stands be okay...? and can anyone one school me about Blow By ??

Roland

seespotweld · #4 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 08:28 PM

has nothing to do with oil level ...blow by is cumbustion gases leaking past the rings .
I have an 03 749s that is now a 924 and it likes the oil level close to the lower mark . to high and you get more oil being splashed around by the crank which can froth the oil leading to pressure loss.

ikaika808 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 08:32 PM

Thank you also for the quick lesson on Blow By... Now the final question is... should I trust the reading when the Bike is on the Pitbull stands level (which usually a lower reading ) or Bike off the stands level (which this reading usually is higher).... ???

Roland

El Gladiateur · #6 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 09:17 PM

IMO A good oil level is 3/4 the way btw Min and Max, the bike off the stand level.
Nevermind you check your level on rear stand or bike off the stand, the most important is you do this every time the same way.

lilacsplash · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 02:04 AM

To reduce the chance of oil blowing out of the breather, always keep the level at the 1/2 way position beween the 2 marks when he bike's on the level and off of the paddock stand.

Steve R

749Seddie · #8 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilacsplash

To reduce the chance of oil blowing out of the breather, always keep the level at the 1/2 way position beween the 2 marks when he bike's on the level and off of the paddock stand.

Steve R

What I was trying to say earlier(oil blowing out the breather).

viper1 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 01:18 AM

Eitherway your fine, it wont hurt a thing! Right under the full mark is where I run all 4 of my Ducatis. Running at the lower level for a race bike is risky as when your leaned over for extended periods of time, you run the risk of starvation. I've always run all my race bikes at the upper level. Same with stunters.....they usally over fill them so they don't lock up from not getting enough oil.

seespotweld · #10 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:10 PM

but road or road race bikes do better on the lower setting . Viper is missing the fact that cornering is not the same as just leaning the bike over . In cornering centifugal force keeps the oil in the bottom of the engine where it can be picked up by the oil pump. Oil pick ups and sumps are designed to deal with acceleration and braking forces as well as cornering . Much worse in my veiw to cavitate the oil leading to pressure loss or to pump it out the breather.

BC999S · #11 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikaika808

I am also getting 2 different readings... when the Bike is up on Pitbull stands and completely level... the oil inthe sight glass is between the MIN and MAX lines... when the bike is on the ground off the stand and held level the oil is now higher and just below the MAX mark...

When on the stand the back of your bike is higher and the oil moves towards the front of the pan and away from the sight glass = lower level.

viper1 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seespotweld

but road or road race bikes do better on the lower setting . Viper is missing the fact that cornering is not the same as just leaning the bike over . In cornering centifugal force keeps the oil in the bottom of the engine where it can be picked up by the oil pump. Oil pick ups and sumps are designed to deal with acceleration and braking forces as well as cornering . Much worse in my veiw to cavitate the oil leading to pressure loss or to pump it out the breather.

Huh? The total amount of oil from the middle of the glass to the upper part of the glass amounts to about 4-6oz of additonal oil total! What your losing or gaining from the extra little bit, dosnt matter! I'm unclear of how you can say "bikes do better on the lower setting" to me really makes no sense? How and what do you base your comment on? Not trying to nite pick just trying to understand your logic?

seespotweld · #13 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 02:32 PM

What I have experienced with my bike is the engine light coming on near red line in top gear with the oil near the top line . Lowering the level close to the bottom line fixes the problem . This only happens in top gear and then only until I back off. With the oil at the lower level it never happens. I don't know if it is the crank or the transmission that is frothing the oil .I'm using Amsoil 10/40 which is supposed to have very good anti foaming characteristics. I'm assuming that lowering the oil level keeps it away from the rotating bits.Keeping in mind that my engine is the old style flat sump not the later deep sump.So here again my assumption is, it's not the volume of oil it is the level of oil.

socal · #14 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 07:58 PM

On the stand fill just above lower level. It will rise when the bike reaches normal operating temps.

viper1 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seespotweld

What I have experienced with my bike is the engine light coming on near red line in top gear with the oil near the top line . Lowering the level close to the bottom line fixes the problem . This only happens in top gear and then only until I back off. With the oil at the lower level it never happens. I don't know if it is the crank or the transmission that is frothing the oil .I'm using Amsoil 10/40 which is supposed to have very good anti foaming characteristics. I'm assuming that lowering the oil level keeps it away from the rotating bits.Keeping in mind that my engine is the old style flat sump not the later deep sump.So here again my assumption is, it's not the volume of oil it is the level of oil.

Thats fair, but you are the first person I know that has had a problem like you've explained in all my years of racing (20+).....but thats cool

... Eitherway for the question that orginally started this thread, ikaika808 - it wont hurt your bike to have your level of oil where you do.

seespotweld · #16 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008, 05:13 PM

if you think about it the reason for dry sump engines is to reduce windage losses and better control the oil. I assume the deep sump engine evolved for the same reasons. Knife edging the crank isn't just for fun or light weight. There must be a LOT of oil being thrown around at high engine speeds,getting this oil to settle down near the pick up and be free of bubbles so that it can be again pressured into the galleries is no small thing.