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Why is my oil window empty while motor is on???

  • Thread starter Thread starter outlawfox13
  • Start date Start date
O

outlawfox13

Guest
Just like the title says. Why is it when the bike is running the oil window is empty?

When I go start for a ride it is always half way, but when on is is empty???

Any one?
 
...because all that oil is now in the system & not all drained and sitting at the bottom of the crankcase.
 
outlawfox13 said:
Just like the title says. Why is it when the bike is running the oil window is empty?

When I go start for a ride it is always half way, but when on is is empty???

Any one?
Click to expand...


If the bike is more than about 1 1/2 pints low on oil, none will show in the oil window when the bike is not running. When the bike is running, there is about that same amount in circulation. Consequently, none shows in the window.

Earl
 
OK I will hazard a guess.

When the engine is running the oil pump generates pressure and starts pushing oil up through all of the passages and oil galleries. This oil originates in the oil pan which is where the oil resides that you see through the window.

Once the oil pump starts pushing oil it sucks the oil pan level down and the full window is exposed. Your engine is not empty or low just using the oil that accumulates in the pan when observed at rest.

The above is just an educated guess. :o
 
outlawfox13 said:
Just like the title says. Why is it when the bike is running the oil window is empty?

When I go start for a ride it is always half way, but when on is is empty???

Any one?
Click to expand...

if its to the full line on the centre stand and appers to be empty one assumes the oil system is pressuirized and doing its job.

I have neve checked mine whilst running but it does appear lower on shutdown than it does after sitting for a bit

oil is draining back down out of the valve train I expect.
 
Thank ya'll that is what I was thinking, but I thought I would atleast see some. OK cool now I feel better, I am a handy mechanic on car, but I am learning bikes now. I am glad I got a GS to learn on and good people like the ones on this site.
 
This is no different then checking the oil in a running car engine. All those oil passages in a motor are full of oil (one hopes) and the crankcase volume has to drop accordingly. If it's running, you cannot get an accurate level reading.

Woodsie
 
Where should it be when the engine is cold? how far up the window?
 
woodsietx said:
This is no different then checking the oil in a running car engine. All those oil passages in a motor are full of oil (one hopes) and the crankcase volume has to drop accordingly. If it's running, you cannot get an accurate level reading.

Woodsie
Click to expand...
That and oil will start to spray out
 
Calvin Blackmore said:
dude top off that thing to F

on a long hard run high RPM run you may burn enough oil off to cause a oil starvation condition.
Click to expand...


NO, you dont want to do that. Put the amount of oil specified in the bike.
The full mark is not the "fill to" mark, it is the maximum allowable amount before you have to concern yourself about blowing gaskets or oil out the breather tube. Its like tire pressure. Most tires will accept a max psi of about 42, but that does not mean that is the correct inflation pressure.
 
Last edited:
Calvin Blackmore said:
dude top off that thing to F

on a long hard run high RPM run you may burn enough oil off to cause a oil starvation condition.
Click to expand...


No, you dont want to do that. Put the amount of oil specified in the bike.
The full mark is not the "fill to" mark, it is the maximum allowable amount before you have to concern yourself about blowing gaskets or pushing excess oil out the breather tube. Its like tire pressure. Most tires will accept a max psi of about 42, but that does not mean that is the correct inflation pressure.

If there is the correct amount of oil in the system, oil starvation is not possible due to lack of supply.

Earl
 
Last edited:
earlfor said:
No, you dont want to do that. Put the amount of oil specified in the bike.
The full mark is not the "fill to" mark, it is the maximum allowable amount before you have to concern yourself about blowing gaskets or pushing excess oil out the breather tube. Its like tire pressure. Most tires will accept a max psi of about 42, but that does not mean that is the correct in inflation pressure.

Earl
Click to expand...


I respectfully disagree. Max full in oil is nothing like max tire pressure.
Tire pressure range allows for changes in loads on the tires.

Oil at the full line should pose zero risks.
 
Calvin Blackmore said:
I respectfully disagree. Max full in oil is nothing like max tire pressure.
Tire pressure range allows for changes in loads on the tires.

Oil at the full line should pose zero risks.
Click to expand...


Perhaps, but does it accomplish anything? The output volume and pressure from the oil pump will be the same regardless of how much oil is in
the reservoir. There is nohing to be gained by exceeding the specifications.

Earl
 
Well I know that too much oil in a presurized system will cause problems. So haveing more oil will cause more pressure, not saying the F line os over full but you may have to watch it more. That is why I go half way. I know this from working on cars. So just like a car, you should have oil between F and L. Otherwise you will start blowing gaskets, or having serious engine problems.

And the reason you dont fill tires to max is because of driving conditions, ie cold, loaded, unloaded. For example say a ballon could only hold 10 psi max, and you squeeze it and it pops, now you put 7 psi and squeeze it and it will absorbe more pressure, before it pops. I know the rubber is thinner, but same principle.
 
outlawfox13 said:
Well I know that too much oil in a presurized system will cause problems. So haveing more oil will cause more pressure. I know this from working on cars. So just like a car, you should have oil between F and L. Otherwise you will start blowing gaskets, or having serious engine problems.

And the reason you dont fill tires to max is because of driving conditions, ie cold, loaded, unloaded. For example say a ballon could only hold 10 psi max, and you squeeze it and it pops, now you put 7 psi and squeeze it and it will absorbe more pressure, before it pops. I know the rubber is thinner, but same principle.
Click to expand...


Giys I am not talking about over full I am saying full especially in cases where you will rapidly lose oil due to hard running.

I once stopped after a 80-max speed hour long run only to find oil was not coing up to L even after sitting for a few minutes.

I would rather start at F to have a buffer especially as it should not casue any detriment tot he bike by doing so.

AS long a your Crankcase vent is working things should be fine yes?
 
Yes things will be fine if you stay at F, Just saying that make sure not to over fill that is all. If you know your bike burns oil, then starting at F is cool, but after an hour of riding at 80 mph should not burn that much. Ya might want to look into that. But if you start over filling, then you could run into potential problems.

Calvin Blackmore said:
Giys I am not talking about over full I am saying full especially in cases where you will rapidly lose oil due to hard running.

I once stopped after a 80-max speed hour long run only to find oil was not coing up to L even after sitting for a few minutes.

I would rather start at F to have a buffer especially as it should not casue any detriment tot he bike by doing so.

AS long a your Crankcase vent is working things should be fine yes?
Click to expand...
 
outlawfox13 said:
Yes things will be fine if you stay at F, Just saying that make sure not to over fill that is all. If you know your bike burns oil, then starting at F is cool, but after an hour of riding at 80 mph should not burn that much. Ya might want to look into that. But if you start over filling, then you could run into potential problems.
Click to expand...
min 80 to max speed 9500 RPM at 120 MPH indicated on a hot summer day.
a rare occurence but my god it was fun
 
Calvin Blackmore said:
Giys I am not talking about over full I am saying full especially in cases where you will rapidly lose oil due to hard running.

I once stopped after a 80-max speed hour long run only to find oil was not coing up to L even after sitting for a few minutes.
Click to expand...

Time to rebuild your engine?
 
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