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1000km Service Dealer Overfilled Oil...

5136 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  Junpower
Hi guys, freaking out here and in need of advice. Today was my first 1k service and i took the R3 to the dealer to do the first oil change and check everything.

When all was done i checked the bike for scratches leaks etc but didnt check the oil level since i saw the mechanic checking it twice through the shop window while i was waiting..(figured they know how to change oil since they do it every day)....
My mistake! I rode home which is about 30km from the dealer and since my dad was home i called him to hold the bike so i could check the oil level just in case, ... so we hold the bike in upright position and look through the oil glass and its covered to the top with oil (thats after sitting with engine off for about 6-7min)...
I call the dealer and he tells me to bring the bike back (another 30km). Now when i left the dealer the first time i set my shift light at 8500rmp, being excited and all i pretty much rode it home switching gears at the shift light, so after i saw the overfilled oil i panicked and rode it slowly back to them.

When i arrived at the shop the same guy that worked on the bike came out saw the level and said "yeah its a little bit overfilled, no big deal ill drain some out...(keep in mind the whole window was covered and no line any where...) So he drained probably about half a liter and said its not much overfilled and was no problem.
Now the oil level is a hair over the top line so still not as it should be and plan to go again tomorrow when they open. My question is do you think i couldve caused any damage riding it to 8500rmp for about 60km with the oil overfilled? And do you think the guy was right saying its no big deal and drain about half a liter? Or is it way overfilled? BTW i do plan on changing my own oil and filter but i just wanted to do the first time at the dealer and now i regret it... any advice is greatly appreciated...
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You're going to be fine. Overfill could do two things: Get additional blow-by that ends up in your airbox and/or too deep in the sump and is high enough to be into the crankshaft, causing foaming. Either way, just check to see if you are in the mid-range of the sight glass - exact on the mark isn't important.


I wouldn't sweat your adventure - likely no damage at all done.
You're going to be fine. Overfill could do two things: Get additional blow-by that ends up in your airbox and/or too deep in the sump and is high enough to be into the crankshaft, causing foaming. Either way, just check to see if you are in the mid-range of the sight glass - exact on the mark isn't important.


I wouldn't sweat your adventure - likely no damage at all done.
Thank you for your help, i did notice bubbles/foam through the glass which i thought is strange and there is still a bit. When i was riding it i also smelled a bit of burnt oil but thought probably a drip somwhere that was not cleaned up. Right now the oil sits in the upper part of the window almost to the top so i will be going again tommorow to get it below the max mark or at least close. Do you think i should avoiding shifting at 8500rpm while its still overfilled? And usualy when overfill happens do the problems show up right away or they can show in time (blown seals etc). I also read somewhere that if foam/bubbles are present then the lubrication is not good and should change the oil again...do you think thats the case? Thanks again for your help i am very new and still havent got a lot of experience in knowing how everything works but i do try to learn and understand.
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If there's too much oil in the crankcase, the crankshaft (as it's spinning around) starts splashing into the oil - lots of splashing = lots of bubbles. If there's that much oil in there, you would feel the difference, both in vibration and in throttle response. In extreme cases, you would see not bubbles, but full-on foam in the sight glass - I do not think this is the case with you. Sounds like you were less than a half liter overfilled (it happens sometimes). When you do an oil/filter change, it should take about 2.5 liters at most.

Quit worrying and get out and ride.
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i would redrain the oil and put it between the line. best last check is after a short ride.
Ok so i did go back to the dealer and they said pretty much that im crazy and that the oil they drained wasnt much only 300-350ml and that nothing would happen to the bike unless i rode it redline all the time on the highway or something and that even tho there was foam he says its normal and there would need to be much more oil in it to do that... then refused to drain the oil any more which now sits a bit over max mark... Im wondering if this is some kind of scheme to get bikes to break easier so they get more service repairs or something or is the whole too much oil thing overblown... Everywhere i read people go nuts about it and dont like to even go to the max mark filling the oil...
Ok so i did go back to the dealer and they said pretty much that im crazy and that the oil they drained wasnt much only 300-350ml and that nothing would happen to the bike unless i rode it redline all the time on the highway or something and that even tho there was foam he says its normal and there would need to be much more oil in it to do that... then refused to drain the oil any more which now sits a bit over max mark... Im wondering if this is some kind of scheme to get bikes to break easier so they get more service repairs or something or is the whole too much oil thing overblown... Everywhere i read people go nuts about it and dont like to even go to the max mark filling the oil...
+1 for it being an overblown issue.

The sump on the R3 isn't very large, so it doesn't take adding a lot of oil to move the level up quite a bit in the sight glass.

That was only about 1/3 quart over-filled, if the dealership was being honest with you, and shouldn't cause any harm whatsoever.

The people going nuts about it are just that, nuts. They can tend to lean towards being conspiracy theorists and tin foil hat wearers.

Many Forums are crawling with them. I blame the Internet!
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I always overfill for good luck!
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