Oil Level - What's too low???
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: New England
Oil Level - What's too low???
I've been experimenting with the oil levels in my '08 UC (TC96) to minimize oil misting back into the air cleaner.
How close to the "ADD QT" mark can I get without running into issues with respect to the oil being too low?
What symptoms would start showing up to indicate that the oil level is getting too low?
TIA!
How close to the "ADD QT" mark can I get without running into issues with respect to the oil being too low?
What symptoms would start showing up to indicate that the oil level is getting too low?
TIA!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,655
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From: Northwest Arkansas
Sorry I don't know the answers to your questions but here is what I do and I don't have any oil misting issues on my '07.
I put 3.5 qts. in and then check it hot. It reads about 1/16" below the full hot mark. I leave it there and never have any problems, and it stays there until the next oil change. I am at 30,000 miles now and so far so good.
I put 3.5 qts. in and then check it hot. It reads about 1/16" below the full hot mark. I leave it there and never have any problems, and it stays there until the next oil change. I am at 30,000 miles now and so far so good.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
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From: Northern Colorado
As long as the oil level is above the "ADD" line on the dipstick (when properly checked) you should be fine. That being said, I like to keep it as close to the "FULL" line as possible because the oil also acts as a coolant, pulling heat from the motor so the less oil that's in the system, the hotter the oil will get. Why do you think these little 96ci motors hold four quarts of oil. JMO
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,803
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From: El Paso, Texas
as long as the oil level is above the "add" line on the dipstick (when properly checked) you should be fine. That being said, i like to keep it as close to the "full" line as possible because the oil also acts as a coolant, pulling heat from the motor so the less oil that's in the system, the hotter the oil will get. Why do you think these little 96ci motors hold four quarts of oil. Jmo
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Ontario,Canada
Does anyone out there find that over 4 or 5000 miles the level will go down alittle but not to the add mark.I have heard that air cooled engines will usually use a little oil.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Northern Colorado
Some engines definetly burn more oil than others. I guess it all depends on how many miles are on the motor, the type of oil you use, how hard you ride it, ect..
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 148
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Anything above the add mark is OK this would be considered the operating range for the oil according to the manufacturer, whether it be a car, bike or chainsaw. Below the add mark or above the full mark is where you do not want the oil level to be. And as others have said oil also is used to cool an engine. It does not have to be an air cooled engine, oil is used to cool all engines, some to a greater extent than others