XT660Z Dip Stick - Oil Level Low
 

Hi folks,

Every time I change my oil with the quantities as per the manual, the dipstick reading is almost empty. It's then not long before nothing reading on the dip stick.

Someone recently told me this is common with XTs, so not to worry. A couple of guys on ralph's recent thread also mentioned they experience the same.

Can anyone assure me that this is indeed the case? I get nervous when I see an dry dipstick but don't want to cause problems by overfilling....

Thanks!!

Paul

Yep its normal . But peraonaly i put a rad more in just so i can see it but yeah dry sump bikes are knowen for this and to much can create to much presure aswell lol its a pain

I've had the same problem but i follow the manual so it must be correct level ..

I did an oil change a week ago and put in what the book says...It was not even on the stick.

So i had to put in another 300ml and after running it for a week it's stable.

I do think to book or something is wrong.

Mike

Can’t say I’ve ever had a problem with following the quantities/procedure in the handbook. I’ve also used Kev’s method of putting the 0.6/0.7L in through the crankcase breather first and then adding the 1.9L to the tank. Both work well and result in a level that shows about half way up the dip stick (after running the motor).

Assuming all the obvious stuff - the bike is level, you’re checking the oil on a warm engine after a short run and that you’re measuring the level with the dipstick pushed home (not screwed in), there shouldn’t really be an issue.

If you’re absolutely 100% sure you’ve got 2.6L in there and it’s still not reading on the dipstick following the correct checking procedure, then something isn’t right? Aside from physical oil leaks, clouds of blue smoke (or an airbox full of oil), which I’m sure you’d notice, there’s only one place the “lost” oil can be without any obvious visual clues – and that’s in the sump. Even though the XT is technically a dry-sump motor, it’s only semi- dry; there is a small sump to collect oil for scavenging and returning to the tank. This is why running the bike to scavenge the sump is essential to get an accurate reading on the dip stick.

The most common cause of “missing oil” (with no visual clues) in dry-sump motors, is that the pump isn’t scavenging the sump efficiently (the return isn’t keeping up with the flow) and there is a degree of “wet-sumping” going on (a build-up, or excess of oil in the sump). There only needs to be slightest drop-off in efficiency of the scavenge side of the pump to cause a small build-up/back-up of oil here.

However, I’ve never heard of this on an XT660 motor? I’m more than familiar with “wet-sumping” on dry-sump British bikes with worn oil pumps – it’s extremely common.