FZRSupport: the FZROnline Archive

Just went to drain the oil on my newly purchased FZR. Warmed it up, removed the filler cap, removed the drain plug, removed the filter. A total of only about 3/4 quart drained into the pan. This seems extremely low to me. I'm thinking maybe something is preventing it from draining fully? I left the plug and filter out and poured a half quart into the bike to see if it would come out the drain plug. Never did. I wanted to confirm that the bike was just really low on oil. Is this normal, was the bike just low on oil? Should oil have flowed out after I put some in leaving the drain plug out? Anything I can do?

**Update**

Went ahead and put in 2qt just to be safe. Started right up, idled fine no issues then at about the 8min mark started smoking right at the exhaust headers/oil filter. That means too much, right? I think I may not have let it get hot enough when I first drained it. So, I pulled the plug and filter, oil drained out but it was still dark and sludgy, not the new stuff I had just put in. Took all the oil in the pan and it drained right into a single empty quart bottle. So it went like this: drained it, removed filter, added 2qt and new filter, ran it (smoked), drained it, put back on new filter. Everything that drained from both times fits in one quart bottle. Now I can see my view window was totallly black. So I guess it is working. I started it back up, but I'm a little paranoid that it may not have enough oil. ALSO, I think my oil light doesn't work because the previous owner removed the turn signals and they feed from the same line right? Sheesh..

I can't think of what it's called but there is an oil flush out there. You Shouldn't have to warm the bike up to drain the oil. Doesn't matter I guess but that is beside the point. My two questions are when you drained the oil was it on the kickstand(leaned) or a bike stand (vertical) and second when you started it and then drained the oil the second time was there anything I the filter?
(1001 yea)
Chris

Bike is on a paddock stand (just the rear). It looks completely level front/back and side/side. When I drained it the second time, yes there was oil in the new filter. I just ran it some more and I started realizing that maybe some of the oil that leaked onto the headers while draining is what's smoking when they get hot?

Just ran a little experiment. Since I've put more oil in than I've been able to drain out, I wanted to try something. I added another 1/2qt of oil, screwed on the filler cap, installed the oil filter, and left the plug OUT. Started the bike. OIL FOUNTAIN! Whatever is preventing it from draining is no match against the oil pressure. Now, I only let it run like that for about 4 seconds and boy do I have a mess on my hands. However, does anyone know what could possibly be keeping the oil from draining out from just the force of gravity? Like I said, bike is on a rear stand, and my back porch is slightly angled, but I've tried taking down off the stand, sitting on it, swaying side to side, rocking front to back. Nothing. It's like it's empty. But turn it on and it comes shooting out. WFT???

When you change the oil it shouldn't be on stands. The bottom of the "oil pan" is lower than the drain plug. So when you start the bike up with the plug out you are getting a fountain out of the plug because the pump is doing its job and circulating the oil. This also explains why your view window was black and the oil that came out the second time was also dark. You still had old oil in it. Try it again off the swinger stand. You should get more. When you go to replace it you should put in about 3.5 qts.

Chris.

I realize the way I wrote that made it sound like I was surprised the oil came shooting out when I left the drain plug out. No, I was expecting that. I did it to confirm my suspicions that there definitely was oil in there it just wasn't draining out as it should have been. I've had an oil filter come loose on me before and have seen what that oil pressure can do Anyways, I tried taking it off the stand, still no oil drain. I ended up just starting it with the filter in, plug out and draining it little by little in 4 second intervals making sure I wasn't running the engine bone-dry. Risky, I know, but that was the only way I was able to get it to drain. It's good to go now. Oh, and 3.5 qts? The manual I have for a '98 says 2.5 when you change oil + filter.

I went and checked my manual. It does indeed say 2.4-2.5 quarts. I know I put in 3 or more. The only thing I can guess is it is because I use the longer purolator filter. It is quite possible that I put in an extra half quart or so. Regardless put oil in. Fire her up see it it needs more. And I usually run mine with oil closer to the max line. You know for all those wheelies I do..... Not. Haha

Chris.

Good to go. Thanks for the help..

Silly Question i know but........................ Were you using the correct drain plug? near the side stand?


* I only ask because there are other locations that look like the oil drain plug.... But that would not drain very well

The drain plug isn't that bolt right next to the oil filter? Looking at the bike from the front it would be just to the left of the oil filter? No???

Ummm did your bolt have a long rod connecting it to another part of the engine a bit higher? And maybe close to the exhaust? If yes then no that is not correct. The drain plug is on the left hand side right behind the kickstand.

Chris.

AeroGunz762 wrote:The drain plug isn't that bolt right next to the oil filter? Looking at the bike from the front it would be just to the left of the oil filter? No???

NOPE

It IS right next to the left hand lower frame rail-pretty much behind the kickstand as others have said. Some have a phillips screw in the middle of the drain plug.

LOL too funny!
thats okay, good for me too know also! I have to drain all my oil out too soon:)

reelrazor wrote: NOPE

It IS right next to the left hand lower frame rail-pretty much behind the kickstand as others have said. Some have a phillips screw in the middle of the drain plug.

Looked down there after I read pnbell's comment, I saw it. Yep, mine has the phillips screw in the middle. That must've been my problem! Thanks.