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Engine Oil Recommend Amount?

49429 Views 21 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  jbird2483
Hey guys, I've done 2 services so far and already clocked 1.8k km. There's something regarding engine oil that I'm pretty confused about.

First servicing, I didn't supervise (my bad) the mechanic, and in the end, they charged me for 3 bottles. I didn't know whether it should be 3 or 2 bottles, so when I went back and checked, the manual stated 2l (so 2 bottles).

Earlier, I told the mech that the book says only 2l if changed with the oil filter, but then he poured 1.6l (no oil filter change) and showed me the oil level while tilting the bike straight. The level was just a few mm shy of the minimum level. Adding until 2l, the oil level was around 2cm below the max level.

So.. What do you guys think? Follow by the book or instinct? Or do you guys have a different version of the manual with different oil-level recommendations?

Sorry for the long post! >_<"
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My manual says 2.0 L with filter, 1.6 without. However not all bottles are 1L. Even though I'm in Canada with the metric system. The oil I bought was 1 quart, which is 946 ml. So to get 2 L you would need 3 bottles. I just used 2 bottles for 1.9 L. My level is just below the full mark, maybe 2mm. I probably should add that last 100 ml now that i think of it.
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It must not mean anything, but I would ask...

Engine Oil EX300
2.4 L (2.5 US qt) (when engine is completely dry) - Capacity
2.0 L (2.1 US qt) (when filter is not removed)
2.2 L (2.3 US qt) (when filter is removed)
Parts # Oil filter: 16097-0552

Engine Oil EX400
2.3 L Capacity
1.6 L (when filter is not removed)
2.0 L (when filter is removed)
Parts # Oil filter: 16097-0004 (US), 16097-0008 (EU) - Supercedes: 16097-0552
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@High Side Hoser, the mech used Motul 3000, which I saw was 1l iirc. And like @Engine-R mentioned, supposedly EX400 should use up to 1.6l if no oil filter is changed. So.. wuddup with this?

Also, you topped 1.9l with or without oil filter change?
@High Side Hoser , the mech used Motul 3000, which I saw was 1l iirc. And like @Engine-R mentioned, supposedly EX400 should use up to 1.6l if no oil filter is changed. So.. wuddup with this?

Also, you topped 1.9l with or without oil filter change?
Let me make this more clear, the numbers I show are taken from the owners manual.

When you take a closer look at the numbers from the EX300 then it looks more like the recommendation from Kwaki for the EX400 could be wrong (typo?), so better ask your dealer to tell you the correct numbers.
For me it looks like that the oilchange for the EX400 could be:
1.9 l without filter removed
2.1 l with filter removed - but idk for sure.
Let me make this more clear, the numbers I show are taken from the owners manual.

When you take a closer look at the numbers from the EX300 then it looks more like the recommendation from Kwaki for the EX400 could be wrong (typo?), so better ask your dealer to tell you the correct numbers.
For me it looks like that the oilchange for the EX400 could be:
1.9 l without filter removed
2.1 l with filter removed - but idk for sure.
Oh, sorry I didn't catch what you said earlier. Thought you were only stating specs.

Yeah, for now I stick to 2l and probably 2.2l as what my own mech recommended for now. Thanks guys!
@High Side Hoser, the mech used Motul 3000, which I saw was 1l iirc. And like @Engine-R mentioned, supposedly EX400 should use up to 1.6l if no oil filter is changed. So.. wuddup with this?

Also, you topped 1.9l with or without oil filter change?
1.9 with a new filter, level was checked after running the engine for a minute. It was close enough to the full mark that I didn't open another bottle. I drained when the engine was warm, and used the 16097-0008 filter.
I can confirm 2l with new filter, drained her out well and already did 2 services myself 3rd coming in a couple weeks, the best feeling is poring in that new sweet juice, this is how it feels
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Two quarts or so, with filter. The view in the site glass is very sensitive to angle, on all bikes I have had...so keep that in mind when you are checking it. Slight side to side, and slight grades can make a big difference. Once it is in the site glass, it will not take a lot to move it up.
Thanks @emudshit and @Warp12 for your inputs!

Yeah, I guess I'll stick to 2l for now, unless there's gonna be a revision of manual by Kawasaki.
I can confirm 2l with a new filter, drained her out well and already did 2 services myself 3rd coming in a couple weeks, the best feeling is poring in that new sweet juice, this is how it feels https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FrpuPLYnvY
Hey Emud, do you put a little bit of new oil in the filter before installing or do you just put it all in the engine and then run for a minute for it all to cycle through? I had heard it was a good idea to pour a little bit in the filter (along with applying a thin layer of oil to the gasket to help seal and whatnot), and did this on my 04 Vulcan 500 I had, but was wondering if I'm better off just putting the oil in the bike and letting it idle for a few minutes before riding?
2 qts. end of story.
how close does just doing 2 qts put you to the fill line?
how close does just doing 2 qts put you to the fill line?
Just about perfect. In my opinion it's not worth buying another bottle for that .1 liter.
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I always change my oil myself and I go with the manual as a starting point.
Now I have seen bikes 1/4-1/2 a qt. off what the manual says, remember the main thing is the manual assumes you used the exact specs manufacture filter, but even then I have still seen them need a little more than what the manual calls for.

I prefer WIX filters, OEM filters are good but there are better out there.....FRAMs are low quality but do work. Their motorcycle specific ones are not the worst, but not the best either, little better than the entry level FRAM car filters.

I always change the oil after running the engine and getting it up to temps.

I usually add the oil to the amount the service manual says, let it sit 10-15 then check the sight window. I suggest going by sight window, because this actually shows what is in the engine. They should all match or be within .1-.2 of each other, but if you get it right on the line it should be spot on. If it is a hair over that should be fine as well, unless you fill the filter before putting it on, because once the filter fills up it will pull some of that away from the sump.
Honestly its not an exact science so long as there is a bubble in the window.
I always recommend checking it after a ride and it has been sitting for at least 30 minutes after the ride for all the oil to settle back in the sump.

If I want to be crazy OCD I put in what the manual says, start it and let it run long enough(granted the oil light is not on) for the engine temp to to climb, or ride it around the street a little bit and then come back to make sure its up to temp, let it sit and idle for 30-seconds to a minute. Then shut it off and let it sit for 10-30 min. Then I check the level in the window, I have seen GSXR's that do not smoke or leak it, need 1/2 qt. more to get to the right level in the window right after a oil change, and this is while sitting perfectly level upright on level ground.

A low oil GSXR can be a bad thing over a very short time.....
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2 is good

Hey Lucros, no need to add oil directly to the oil filter. I just oil the rubber gasket of the filter with the old oil, so it comes off easy next oil change. 2 qtrs is just about perfect. Right where the level should be in the sight glass. :clap:
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Quarts are USA quarts I presume and not imperial? - i.e. 2 qts = ~ 1.9 Litres
2 qts 3.6 oz if you change the filter.


2 liters = 67.6 oz so in us qts would be 2 qts 3.6 oz
There is a good article in the September issue of RoadRacing World about changing the oil with the engine cold (all the oil is in the sump) and only takes a few more minutes to drain.
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The Service manual actaully says 2.4qrts. And it does take 2.4qrt as I discovered today!! NOTE: You need that amount if your changing the filter also
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