Do I have an oil pump / filter problem?

cbdallas · 06-29-2012, 04:50 PM

After changing the oil in my 650R today, I witnessed it do something that I find to be very odd. None of the bikes I've owned before ever did this....in fact, they did just the opposite.

I screwed on a new Wix filter, replaced the drain plug, and poured in the oil (Rotella T6 5W-40) until it just barely touched the top of the window. I figured this amount would at least land the oil level somewhere in the middle of the window after the pump had filled the empty filter.

So, I start the bike, and the oil level never moves. The oil remains at the top of the window. The bike is sitting on a level floor, standing straight up.

So, I shut it off, thinking there must be an issue with the oil filter. I reach down and grab it, and it's already quite warm to the touch. (I had ridden 30+ miles before starting the oil change, so the engine was quite hot).

Then I notice that the oil drops between the two hash marks....while the engine is shut off.

So, I restart it...and the oil fills up the window again - completely counter-intuitive to what I would expect to happen.

I shut it off, and the oil level drops to mid-window again. I repeat this 3-4 times, with the same result every time. I'm quite baffled by this, and a little worried that there's something amiss.

Has anyone ever seen this before?

Idling oil level:

Shut down oil level:

Dodsfall · 06-29-2012, 05:29 PM

The oil is under pressure while the engine is running and moving around a lot, so I don't think it would be unnatural for the window to be completely covered with oil while the motorcycle is idling.

Most of the motorcycles I have dealt with have you check the oil level with the engine off.

cbdallas · 06-29-2012, 05:46 PM

Oh, I definitely only check the oil when it's off, I just happened to be looking at the window after I started it and was very curious as to why the oil level wasn't dropping while it was running. VERY strange to see.

WintrSol · 06-29-2012, 09:52 PM

The various rotating parts will behave like pumps, and push the oil around; apparently, your engine happens to push it to the area behind the sight glass.

cbdallas · 07-03-2012, 08:29 AM

Apparently it's alright...I've made two 36-mile round trips to work and it purred like a kitten. Moral: your bike always has something new to teach you. :-)

markk53 · 07-03-2012, 11:20 AM

That's why Kawasaki says check the oil with the engine shut off.

06-29-2012, 04:50 PM	#1
cbdallas Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 1,786	Do I have an oil pump / filter problem? After changing the oil in my 650R today, I witnessed it do something that I find to be very odd. None of the bikes I've owned before ever did this....in fact, they did just the opposite. I screwed on a new Wix filter, replaced the drain plug, and poured in the oil (Rotella T6 5W-40) until it just barely touched the top of the window. I figured this amount would at least land the oil level somewhere in the middle of the window after the pump had filled the empty filter. So, I start the bike, and the oil level never moves. The oil remains at the top of the window. The bike is sitting on a level floor, standing straight up. So, I shut it off, thinking there must be an issue with the oil filter. I reach down and grab it, and it's already quite warm to the touch. (I had ridden 30+ miles before starting the oil change, so the engine was quite hot). Then I notice that the oil drops between the two hash marks....while the engine is shut off. So, I restart it...and the oil fills up the window again - completely counter-intuitive to what I would expect to happen. I shut it off, and the oil level drops to mid-window again. I repeat this 3-4 times, with the same result every time. I'm quite baffled by this, and a little worried that there's something amiss. Has anyone ever seen this before? Idling oil level: Shut down oil level:

06-29-2012, 05:29 PM	#2
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,864	The oil is under pressure while the engine is running and moving around a lot, so I don't think it would be unnatural for the window to be completely covered with oil while the motorcycle is idling. Most of the motorcycles I have dealt with have you check the oil level with the engine off. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-29-2012, 09:52 PM	#4
WintrSol Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Florissant, MO Posts: 2,559	The various rotating parts will behave like pumps, and push the oil around; apparently, your engine happens to push it to the area behind the sight glass. __________________ '68-7? CB450 and '05 S50 Boulevard

07-03-2012, 11:20 AM	#6
markk53 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Delaware, Ohio Posts: 3,232	That's why Kawasaki says check the oil with the engine shut off. __________________ KLX650C, Zephyr 550 SR500, Bultaco Sherpa T

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06-29-2012, 05:46 PM	#3
cbdallas Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 1,786	Oh, I definitely only check the oil when it's off, I just happened to be looking at the window after I started it and was very curious as to why the oil level wasn't dropping while it was running. VERY strange to see.

07-03-2012, 08:29 AM	#5
cbdallas Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 1,786	Apparently it's alright...I've made two 36-mile round trips to work and it purred like a kitten. Moral: your bike always has something new to teach you. :-)