08-23-2022, 03:59 AM
Sorry to create another thread about oil, but I have a serious question: Is there a check valve somewhere in the system that prevents the oil from draining out of the oil cooler and into the engine when the engine is turned off? For the second time now I have experienced a disturbing condition concerning the proper oil level in my bike. I created a post on this topic a few years back, but I never really got an answer that helped to resolve this issue. I checked the oil level in my bike prior to a ride last Sunday, and to my complete surprise the level was at the lower line. My bike had sat for two weeks without being ridden, so I believe that is plenty of time for the oil to flow into the crankcase to perform an inspection, and yes, the bike was on completely level ground. Just to be sure, I performed the oil inspection procedure defined in the owner's manual by starting the bike up, allowing it to run for about two minutes, shutting it off, waiting for the oil to drain back into the crankcase for a few minutes, then reexamining the level in the sightglass; I performed this twice. Each time the level actually was slightly lower than the lower line on the sightglass (if I waited longer it probably would have risen ever so slightly). I proceeded to very, very carefully add oil, a small amount at a time, starting the engine and performing the check oil procedure each time I added a small amount. After repeating this procedure three times I had the oil level exactly even to the top line on the sightglass (I added approximately 12 fl oz). I figured everything was Ok, and my wife and I went for a ride to visit Laguna Beach, via Ortega Highway, about a 140 mile round trip. When I got home I rechecked the oil level, and at this time it was so high the sightglass was completely filled. I performed the inspection with the bike on level ground, located in the exact same position it was in when I topped the level off prior to our ride. Does anybody have an explanation for why more oil drains into the crankcase at times, causing inconsistent oil level readings?