Oil level question

[RustyAs]

Guys

I change the oil yesterday, replaced the filter as well. When I refilled with the new stuff I filled to the top of the sight gauge. Then let the bike idle for a few mins, stopped it for a few mins, then as the oil was taken up by the new filter I refilled to the top of sight gauge again. I used approx 3.2 Lite of oil, as per the manual.

When I started the bike again the oil level dropped below the botton of the gauge, and stayed there whilst the bike was idling. When I switched the engine off the oil level returned to the top of the sight gauge. The manual says to check the level when the bike is not running.

I am concious of not over filling, but obviously I dont want to under fill either. Is it normal for the oil level to drop that much when the engine is running?

Cheers

[Supafrog]

Off the top of my head.. I would say yes.. it is normal! as the oil gets pumped around the block and does it's job you would definitely expect the reservoir/sump to have less during that period.

Does the ZZR have an oil cooler? and is that taken into account when talking about volumes of filling the oil(from the manual)?

Running hot/ possibility of low oil pressure are the two issues i would think you would see if there isn't enough...

if you've followed the manual ............ Maybe you're just being paranoid )

[MrWasabi]

every bike ive owned and every bike ive seen, the oil level drops past the bottom indicator, then slowly comes back to the top when the engine is turned off.
As Supafrog said, oil is being pumped around when the engine is on, so its not going to stay in the sump. Id be worried if the oil level didnt move when you turned the engine on

[Strika]

Don't sweat it, it sounds by your description that you have followed correct procedure. As others have said, the important thing is that when you switch off the motor, the oil level settles to the correct height. (Assuming you have the bike upright and not on the side stand)

[RustyAs]

Thanks for that

I guess I was being a bit paranoid Never really thought to look a the oil level while the engine was running before.

Better safe than sorry !!

Cheers and thanks heaps

[Kawawog]

Something ive always been unsure about is, the manual states to keep the oil level between the top and bottom markers i assume when engine is cold.. To me that comes across as not to fill it to the top notch as the oil expands when hot, thus making it read over full?
What do the others do around here, fill to beween the lines preferably near the top or fill to the top line?