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DSN_KLR650
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shoutscout
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:01 pm

oil consumption klr 650 and capacity

Post by shoutscout » Tue Aug 05, 2014 10:01 pm

realize this has been discussed on other boards.....my confusion comes from reading in manual and on boards oil capacity is 2.5L which is around 84 oz....when changing oil and filter if i put 84 oz of oil in 2006 klr 650 it is 6 to 8 oz above the site glass maybe even 10 oz..... so when i run 74 oz which fill bike to top of site glass i use less oil ....i was burning off the extra oil....on other boards other klr riders still insist one should run 2.5 litres.....what gives????/  I continue to run bike with 74 to 76 oz and use 8to 10 ounces of oil between 2k mile changes instead of burning well over a litre when running bike with 84 oz between changes.....question is what gives with the 2.5 liter capacity????  it just does not work in my 2006 klr 650 with 15K on the clock  
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Martin Earl
Posts: 231
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2003 10:00 pm

oil consumption klr 650 and capacity

Post by Martin Earl » Tue Aug 05, 2014 11:31 pm

I have read those 'other boards' and may have even commented...cough.This is what I did myself, 11 years ago before there was any discussion about the sight gauge/accuracy. I offer this to you-- Verify the thesis for yourself--Your case is marked 2.5L next to the site glass.Oddly enough, that number agrees with the operators manual. So-During your next oil and filter change, lean the bike left and right during the oil drain to remove/displace the oil from the crankcase voids.It usually takes ~5 tips L/R to get the last little bit. Replace the drain plug,Add to 2.0 L to the crank case, replace the oil filler cap,and run the bike ~5 min. This will fully charge the oil filter cavity, etc. Let the bike sit for 10 minutes and check the oil level with the bike level (one thing a center stand is good for). Note where the oil level is at: this will tell you how much oil is in your bike (visually) via the site gauge when there is 2.0L of oil in the crank case. It will be between the min/max lines.Then- Add oil by 100cc increments until the max line is reached. Notice how much oil is left in your bottle.say, 'hmmm'. Decide if you are going to believe the casting mark of 2.5 L or if you are going to believe the site gauge.I choose to believe the casting mark. Conclusion-Personally, I add 300cc when I can see a bubble in the site window, as I know it is ~300 cc from being at the 2.5L capacity. When you are 500cc short of oil, you have reduced the oil capacity 20%, which by any estimation, is not a good thing. An anecdotal comparison; my Pontiac Torrent dipstick shows 1/2 qt low after an oil/filter change, replacing the prescribed amount of oil found in the operators manual. One local Ford mechanic said they have had service bulletins that required the mech to cut off 1/2" of the dip stick to make the stick show a proper oil level; both are examples of mis-manufactured oil measuring systems. Thus, my suggestion of , 'verify if for yourself'. For the longevity of your machine-Whatever you do, check your oil level at every gas stop, especially when riding at highway speeds (extended riding at RPM above 5K), and never let the oil volume go below the min line if possible. revmaaatin.
On Tue, Aug 5, 2014 at 9:01 PM, shoutscout@... [DSN_KLR650] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> wrote: realize this has been discussed on other boards.....my confusion comes from reading in manual and on boards oil capacity is 2.5L which is around 84 oz....when changing oil and filter if i put 84 oz of oil in 2006 klr 650 it is 6 to 8 oz above the site glass maybe even 10 oz..... so when i run 74 oz which fill bike to top of site glass i use less oil ....i was burning off the extra oil....on other boards other klr riders still insist one should run 2.5 litres.....what gives????/ I continue to run bike with 74 to 76 oz and use 8to 10 ounces of oil between 2k mile changes instead of burning well over a litre when running bike with 84 oz between changes.....question is what gives with the 2.5 liter capacity???? it just does not work in my 2006 klr 650 with 15K on the clock
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john triplett
Posts: 22
Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2011 4:15 pm

oil consumption klr 650 and capacity

Post by john triplett » Wed Aug 06, 2014 7:06 am

Same here. When I have tried the full 2.5L fill in my 07 it is well above the glass and will spit oil out of the breather tube, especially at higher rpm until it's happy at a level just above the sight glass. I just fill it to there now.
John T.
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mark ward
Posts: 1027
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 11:18 am

oil consumption klr 650 and capacity

Post by mark ward » Wed Aug 06, 2014 8:36 am

Besides starting with a very warm engine, AND walking away for about 20++ minutes while it drains, I also tilt the bike back & forth (L. & R.) and see alot more run out. (small streams add up, maybe 1/2 pint or more.)   On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 8:06 AM, "John Triplett johntripwire@... [DSN_KLR650]" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
  Same here. When I have tried the full 2.5L fill in my 07 it is well above the glass and will spit oil out of the breather tube, especially at higher rpm until it's happy at a level just above the sight glass. I just fill it to there now. John T. #ygrps-yiv-84152938 #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327 #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327 -- #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327ygrp-mkp { border:1px solid #d8d8d8;font-family:Arial;margin:10px 0;padding:0 10px;} #ygrps-yiv-84152938 #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327 #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327ygrp-mkp hr { border:1px solid #d8d8d8;} #ygrps-yiv-84152938 #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327 #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327ygrp-mkp #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327hd { color:#628c2a;font-size:85%;font-weight:700;line-height:122%;margin:10px 0;} #ygrps-yiv-84152938 #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327 #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327ygrp-mkp #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327ads { margin-bottom:10px;} #ygrps-yiv-84152938 #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327 #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327ygrp-mkp .ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327ad { padding:0 0;} #ygrps-yiv-84152938 #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327 #ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327ygrp-mkp .ygrps-yiv-84152938yiv6022310327ad p { margin:0;} 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Martin Earl
Posts: 231
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2003 10:00 pm

oil consumption klr 650 and capacity

Post by Martin Earl » Wed Aug 06, 2014 12:26 pm

Hi John, So, in your experience, the bike's oil level does not change as long as you are between the min/max lines?Regardless how you ride the bike?If that is true, it is not the norm most people have reported. smile. I would suggest that filling the crankcase with 2.5L is not the problem, it is the high rpm's. I would also suggest that even if it is between the fill marks, and you run the higher rpms, it will continue to 'consume oil', be it burn or blow it out; how is not important, as it (oil) will be gone and your engine will be in danger from loss of lubrication and cooling from low oil volume. Numerous folks over the years have fragged their engine after flogging the engine endlessly at higher rpm's and failing to properly monitor their oil at each fueling; one such unfortunate fellow reported adding 2 qts of oil to get it to the Max line after such an extended run . yikes That poor bike...I may have bought spare parts from it later. shrug. I also note that the oil consumption may increase slightly towards the end of the oil change interval.m1
On Wed, Aug 6, 2014 at 6:06 AM, John Triplett johntripwire@... [DSN_KLR650] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> wrote: Same here. When I have tried the full 2.5L fill in my 07 it is well above the glass and will spit oil out of the breather tube, especially at higher rpm until it's happy at a level just above the sight glass. I just fill it to there now. John T.
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rrttbbnn
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2005 1:29 am

oil consumption klr 650 and capacity

Post by rrttbbnn » Wed Aug 06, 2014 1:43 pm

With all this talk about the 2.5L capacity being noted, has anyone filled the KLR from a completely dry enging, such as from just after a complete teardown/rebuild?   It is common knowledge that engines have trapped oil inside them during an oil change.   Either way, I think it is reasonable to assume that Kawasaki got the oil sight glass in the right place, because, well, they have been making the bike for 25+ years, and they aren't blowing up.   So why not just fill up the oil in the sight glass, and stop worrying about it?   Next, I think it about time for another "what is the best oil" thread.........   Jeff     -----Original Message----- From: John Triplett johntripwire@... [DSN_KLR650] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> To: DSN_KLR650 DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wed, Aug 6, 2014 5:06 am Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: oil consumption klr 650 and capacity   Same here. When I have tried the full 2.5L fill in my 07 it is well above the glass and will spit oil out of the breather tube, especially at higher rpm until it's happy at a level just above the sight glass. I just fill it to there now. John T.
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Norm Keller
Posts: 712
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2004 7:48 am

oil consumption klr 650 and capacity

Post by Norm Keller » Wed Aug 06, 2014 1:54 pm

#ygrps-yiv-1662156961 blockquote.ygrps-yiv-1662156961cite {margin-left:5px;margin-right:0px;padding-left:10px;padding-right:0px;border-left:1px solid #cccccc;} #ygrps-yiv-1662156961 blockquote.ygrps-yiv-1662156961cite2 {margin-left:5px;margin-right:0px;padding-left:10px;padding-right:0px;border-left:1px solid #cccccc;margin-top:3px;padding-top:0px;} #ygrps-yiv-1662156961 .ygrps-yiv-1662156961plain pre, #ygrps-yiv-1662156961 .ygrps-yiv-1662156961plain tt {font-family:monospace;font-size:100%;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;} #ygrps-yiv-1662156961 {font-family:Tahoma;font-size:12pt;} #ygrps-yiv-1662156961 .ygrps-yiv-1662156961plain pre, #ygrps-yiv-1662156961 .ygrps-yiv-1662156961plain tt {font-family:Tahoma;font-size:12pt;} How to phrase this so as to avoid inflaming someone....beats me so here goes.  ;-)   These oil level discussions are nonsense, IMO & IME. The engine oil level is specified by the designers so that full is far from allowing rotating members to whip the oil which can cause the oil volume to be greatly increased due to whipping in air bubbles. The air bubbles (foam) also reduce the effectiveness of the oil film so one wants to avoid. Again, no where near. I haven't experimented with KLR much in over filling but do know of cases where people arrived with 1/2 quart too much with no apparent foaming. Some bubbles in the sight glass is normal.   On the other end of the spectrum, the minimum level is far above that required to provide lubrication under the most extreme conditions of angle and temperature which the designers considered to be likely in operation. This is typical of engines in general. One can run into problems by introducing extremes such as track racing the V8, increasing engine output or suspension/tires significantly which might increase the cornering G so that the oil is driven away from the pick up. A machinist friend was recently talking about this issue in an race engine having had a camshaft change resulting in wiping out the connecting rod bearings several times. They were chasing the idea that the cam was affecting oiling (possible) until he pointed out that the increased power = higher cornering G. An improved oil pan solved that one.   Just keep the level between the lower level and not too much over the top of the sight glass and things are fine. Some people claim to be able to detect a vibration difference/improvement if the level is kept below the top of the sight glass but I cannot detect this effect and would completely discount excepting that some of those making the claim are very credible from my perspective. That leaves me doubting but since the effect is undetectable by me and so unimportant....   One interesting factor in KLR oil level checking was discovered by Paul Westman. The crankshaft is lubricated, as we all know, from a pocket in the right side cover. One can see the round bulge on the side. There is an oil seal around the pocket which have never heard of failing but will replace the one on my 1997 one of these days. The pocket and oil gallery bore in the crankshaft feed a 90 degree side gallery out to the periphery of the crankshaft throw. If the engine stops with the side gallery oriented upward, the oil in the pocket and gallery remain in place. If the crankshaft stops near BDC the side gallery is oriented downward and this oil drains back into the sump. I don't recall the volume, maybe 2 ounces?, but enough to show a bit of a difference on the sight glass.   While this is unimportant in checking oil level, it has bothered some who were trying to accurately gauge oil consumption.   Hope this is useful.  
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rrttbbnn
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2005 1:29 am

oil consumption klr 650 and capacity

Post by rrttbbnn » Wed Aug 06, 2014 1:59 pm

Very well put.  Basically, if you see oil in the sight glass, forget it.     And a good option, if rules allow, for your friends' race engine might be a dry sump oil system.   Jeff     -----Original Message----- From: 'Norm Keller' normkel32@... [DSN_KLR650] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> To: DSN_KLR650 DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wed, Aug 6, 2014 11:54 am Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: oil consumption klr 650 and capacity   How to phrase this so as to avoid inflaming someone....beats me so here goes.  ;-)   These oil level discussions are nonsense, IMO & IME. The engine oil level is specified by the designers so that full is far from allowing rotating members to whip the oil which can cause the oil volume to be greatly increased due to whipping in air bubbles. The air bubbles (foam) also reduce the effectiveness of the oil film so one wants to avoid. Again, no where near. I haven't experimented with KLR much in over filling but do know of cases where people arrived with 1/2 quart too much with no apparent foaming. Some bubbles in the sight glass is normal.   On the other end of the spectrum, the minimum level is far above that required to provide lubrication under the most extreme conditions of angle and temperature which the designers considered to be likely in operation. This is typical of engines in general. One can run into problems by introducing extremes such as track racing the V8, increasing engine output or suspension/tires significantly which might increase the cornering G so that the oil is driven away from the pick up. A machinist friend was recently talking about this issue in an race engine having had a camshaft change resulting in wiping out the connecting rod bearings several times. They were chasing the idea that the cam was affecting oiling (possible) until he pointed out that the increased power = higher cornering G. An improved oil pan solved that one.   Just keep the level between the lower level and not too much over the top of the sight glass and things are fine. Some people claim to be able to detect a vibration difference/improvement if the level is kept below the top of the sight glass but I cannot detect this effect and would completely discount excepting that some of those making the claim are very credible from my perspective. That leaves me doubting but since the effect is undetectable by me and so unimportant....   One interesting factor in KLR oil level checking was discovered by Paul Westman. The crankshaft is lubricated, as we all know, from a pocket in the right side cover. One can see the round bulge on the side. There is an oil seal around the pocket which have never heard of failing but will replace the one on my 1997 one of these days. The pocket and oil gallery bore in the crankshaft feed a 90 degree side gallery out to the periphery of the crankshaft throw. If the engine stops with the side gallery oriented upward, the oil in the pocket and gallery remain in place. If the crankshaft stops near BDC the side gallery is oriented downward and this oil drains back into the sump. I don't recall the volume, maybe 2 ounces?, but enough to show a bit of a difference on the sight glass.   While this is unimportant in checking oil level, it has bothered some who were trying to accurately gauge oil consumption.   Hope this is useful.  
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Ron Haraseth
Posts: 91
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:02 pm

oil consumption klr 650 and capacity

Post by Ron Haraseth » Wed Aug 06, 2014 2:17 pm