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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
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  #1  
Old 1 Jul 2009
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XT oil level
I've got an XT600E, 1991, italian import.
I'm having trouble checking the oil.
I've only had the bike a week, and when i got it, it smoked a lot.
This was due to being overfilled with oil.
I have since drained a litre out of it, but it still shows high!
I check the oil as follows:
Take the bike for a good run so it gets really hot
Turn off engine and let stand for 2 minutes
Take out dip stick, wipe clean, and insert back in hole(but not screwed in)
If its at the Max, i syphon some out, and do all the above again. I have now taken a litre out, and its still showing max, and i'm becomming a bit concerned!
If i leave the bike 5 minutes after i have turned it off, it shows about half full.
If i leave the bike 30 minutes it is at the lower level. I assume the oil just drains from the reservoir back into the sump.
So, how long do you leave it to check your oil, as this seems the critical thing? No doubt if i checked it first thing in the morning, it would show empty!
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Old 1 Jul 2009
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Trust yourself
Hi Steve,

My advice would be to drain it completely. If the guy before you filled too much oil he might as well have used the wrong kind. Never trust a "home mecanic".

Check out the reccomended oil from manufacturer and apply the proper amount. Also change the oil filter. It is really easy to do on an XT.

Do it yourself and do it proper and you will not risk any problems with the bike. Haynes have great manuals if you are unsure how do go about it.

The XT is a great bike, "bullet proof" comes to mind. All the motorbike courriers in Stockholm use it

Have fun
//Jake
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Old 1 Jul 2009
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i check my oil the same way but i don't wait longer than 1 min after stopping the engine the dip stick gives a lot of leeway i like mine to be spot on the full mark but thats only when checking within that 1 min.
i've never waited more than 1 min so i couldn't tell you at what rate the oil drops back into the sump i know its not very fast but i def would not wait 2 min or more.
thats also why i said do an oil and filter change in the last thread you posted it gives you a bench mark figure.
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Old 1 Jul 2009
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....which reminds me!
I need to change my oil this weekend.
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Old 3 Jul 2009
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Checking the oil on an XT seems to confuse so many.

After going for a ride, simply unscrew the dipstick,wipe clean and place back without screwing it in.

Thats it !

It doesn't matter how long you leave it as the tide mark on the dipstick indicates the highest level and therefore the volume of oil.

When cold, the dipstick should indicate about an inch of oil.

Aus
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Old 3 Jul 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freexfrantic View Post
Checking the oil on an XT seems to confuse so many.
After going for a ride, simply unscrew the dipstick,wipe clean and place back without screwing it in.
Thats it !
It doesn't matter how long you leave it as the tide mark on the dipstick indicates the highest level and therefore the volume of oil.
When cold, the dipstick should indicate about an inch of oil.
Aus
nope that would be wrong the oil is pumped through the system so no tide mark would be accurate if you leave it too long gravity will lower the level in the tank
the quicker you check the level after stopping the engine the more accurate the reading
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Last edited by wolfzero; 3 Jul 2009 at 19:10. Reason: context error
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Old 3 Jul 2009
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I think that's what me meant wolf... at least it was what I thought the first time I read it
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Old 3 Jul 2009
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nope that would be wrong the oil is pumped through the system so no tide mark would be accurate if you leave it too long gravity will lower the level in the tank
the quicker you check the level after stopping the engine the more accurate the reading
It does not matter that the level has dropped (and it will of course). You need to know what the maximum amount of oil is at an optimum point, and for a short while the tide mark gives the true indication of this. Yes, the level will then drop, but the tide mark showed the true reading for a short while.

It amazes me how so called bike mechanics dont know how to fill a dry sump engine, and will top up untill it reads full on the dip stick !
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Old 4 Jul 2009
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these are not a dry sump engine they are a semi wet sump dry sumps are not gravity fed
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