Oil Change recommnedations

[hannibal]

So Rotella T4 dino oil in 15W 40 seems to have disappeared for a while. Now it's back under new formulation or old formulation. Anyone know what the difference is?

[pvasc]

So I was going to go with Shell Rotella, but the parts store guy told me that it was not available in 10w40, (or he had never seen it) and I ended up going with Mobil 1 10w40 formulated for motorcycles. The oil change including the filter cost me almost 60 bucks! The oil and filter that I removed looked vitually brand new, but I had been having an issue with the oil pressure light flickering on and off at ~800rpm or so, and I thought the maybe the PO had put in 5wXX oil. The bike seems to run fine, no problems with the clutch, and I had a good test ride in 50 degree weather, which I prefer over 80 degree rides. Over the winter I'll have to adjust the valves because the mechanicals have that locomotive "chuga chuga chuga" sound, (I don't remember my brand new GS850GL having it) however the exhast sounds as smooth as a new car.

Mark[ATTACH=CONFIG]53326[/ATTACH]

You are grtting a flickering oil light because your RPM at idle is ~150 to low at best. Factory manual for my GS850G calls for idle speed of 950-1150 RPM if I recall. Any less and the pump will not supply oil to the cams. Your 1000 is a couple years older than my 850, my tach is far less than accurate and on a good day indicates 1400 RPM at....I think I have it set for 1000 RPM using a dwell/ tach with inductive pickup. I tap the tach and the needle drops to 1100RPM. So turn your idle up or start looking for a head and cams.

[grcamna2]

So Rotella T4 dino oil in 15W 40 seems to have disappeared for a while. Now it's back under new formulation or old formulation. Anyone know what the difference is?

I haven't purchased any lately,but that's my standard go-to oil:what is it labeled as now?

[cowboyup3371]

It has not changed and is still available at Walmart, OReillys, Autozone, etc etc

[Burque73]

It has not changed and is still available at Walmart, OReillys, Autozone, etc etc

I was shocked to see the difference in price of oil between O'Reilly $29 and Walmart $13. Same product!

Oil filters for the FJR too. O'Reilly $15 Walmart $9. Brake fluid $10 vs $3.

What was really weird was one Walmart 10 miles from me, still in Albuquerque, had Rotella for $16 another a mile away only $13. That didn't make any sense.

[grcamna2]

It has not changed and is still available at Walmart, OReillys, Autozone, etc etc

Good.I like that it has that JASO MA/MA2 which I believe gives it better zinc content? for our transmission and wet clutches

[Rijko]

there is a bit of mechanical noise from the engine/ cam walk, valves etc I'd like to maybe improve on.

So how's that mechanical noise now you've changed the oil ?

Cam walk can be solved (Suzuki has shim plates to take up the slack) but it involves machining the camshaft.
And since cam walk does no harm to the engine, most learn to live with it.

I know I should adjust the valves but

These old bikes don't show they are hurting until the problems are serious ... hope you don't get to 'should have' ..
Checked the valves on my buddy's 8500 km GS1000G - several tight valves, one of the cam lobes was already damaged.

[Nessism]

So how's that mechanical noise now you've changed the oil ?

Cam walk can be solved (Suzuki has shim plates to take up the slack) but it involves machining the camshaft.
And since cam walk does no harm to the engine, most learn to live with it.



These old bikes don't show they are hurting until the problems are serious ... hope you don't get to 'should have' ..
Checked the valves on my buddy's 8500 km GS1000G - several tight valves, one of the cam lobes was already damaged.

Don't think you are going to get an answer since Mickymoe is no longer a member of GSR and his questions are 3.5 years old now.

[Rijko]

i must be getting old, Ed. Did not notice someone revived a zombie thread ...

[LAB3]

Since this is a "Zombie Thread" I rub down the important parts with left over bacon grease after making breakfast.

[Noreg]

The parts store owners love guys like you. $60???

15W-40 is fine for a GS unless you ride when it's freezing outside. And 5W-40 won't cause your oil light to flicker. The only time 5W is thinner than 15W is when the oil is cold, not when the bike is up to temp, at which point the 40 rating overrides.

If you ride in the morning when there is still frozen grass and ice on the saddle 15-40 will leave you clutchless for several minutes. It is fine if you park the bike in neutral and let it warm up, or park it so you can just roll off in first. But I parked mine uphills, in first, next to a fence. As soon as I pressed the starter I was moving towards said fence... Still got free slowly by holding the clutch and waiting, but not optimal. Turned normal after a quick ride around the city.

And who has patience to wait until the snow has melted to start the season?

[gs11ezrydr]

Just knocked out an oil change for under $20. Rotella 15w40 ($14/gal) and a $5 ebay filter. 60 bucks is way too much for these old tanks. You could get by for 25 even with the K&N filter. I see the $12 per quart crap on the shelf at the auto stores and just laugh. Same stuff as in the rotella bottle but you pay the stupid tax for them to print a motorcycle on the front. The bottle of rotella in my garage still says JASO /JASO2 certified.

A 5$ ebay oil filter....China ? OEM ? I have seen some aftermarket oil filters collapse, would not recommend them especially when using high volume oil pump gears..Stock oem for just a bit more is worth the money for several reasons....Just my experience..