Thundercat - Can't Read Oil Level!

ppeaster · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

About a week ago, armed with a Haynes manual, I carried out my first oil + oil filter change on the thundercat.

When I added the new oil I measured out the required amount (2.9 litres).

Yesterday I went for a ride and the oil light came on twice - both very briefly when under hard acceleration at low revs. After the second time I took it easy and came home.

I took this to mean the oil level was too low, so last night I sat on the bike whilst girlfriend checked the oil level. She says she couldn't see any oil in it, so I added more (just over half a litre) but she still couldn't see any oil in the level! The bike had been warmed up.

I didn't add any more because the handbook says the full capacity is only 3.5 litres.

Basically can anyone give me a steer on the best approach? Am I OK to add more and hope the level eventually raises up? Or is there too much oil in it so the level's already too high? I doubt this is the case because I don't think it would cause the oil light to come on whilst riding. But I am no expert.

Any advice appreciated. Neutral

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

The normal approach is to run the bike to warm it up, turn it off, hold it upright off the sidestand and look into the sight glass and check the oil is between the upper and lower level lines.

I would keep topping it up until the oil shows between these lines.

The 'cats bigger brother the Thunderace burns oil, maybe the Thundercat is the same?

Someone else will be along soon to help some more Thumbs Up

craigT19 · Jolly Green Giant Joined: 09 Feb 2002 Karma :

yes add more! i dunno where haynes got there info in this instance but my yamaha technicians guide book say 2.9ltr for straight change 3.3 ltr for change + filter and 3.6 ltr for rebuild.

basically through your haynes book in the bin and top your oil up untill u get the right amount in your sightglass.
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Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Also either check the level cold, or check it warm when the bike has been turned off for at least 5 minutes. Takes a while for all the oil to drain down to the sump, and overfilling is a bad thing.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

[quote="MarJay"]

edd · Nearly there... Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Karma :

one thing to check, make sure your sight glass is clean on the inside, if you rock the bike to one side do you see oil in the sight glass? The reason i ask is i had precisely the same problem on a bike a year or so ago. I thought it was empty, added oil, added more oil, and completely overfilled it because my sightglass was dirty on the inside. Stick your finger in and give it a wipe if it looks like it needs cleaning. It probably is just low but bear this in mind.
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Rob W · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Nov 2004 Karma :

Probably best to check the oil level when the bike's cooled down, so the oil can drain back to the sump.

I did the same with my ZXR, was warming it up and checking the oil, but of course it was all round the engine. When I let it cool off it was the perfect level.
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