[Taz56]

2011 Yamaha Stryker

I propped my bike up on some blocks of wood to ensure it was as level as I could make it.

I started it and let the oil warm up and thin a bit (maybe 5 min)

Drained the oil into a pan and then removed the oil filter.

Filled the new oil filter with new oil and then put it back on.

Filled the bike up with "most" of the oil left in the 4 liter jug.

There is a little window on the bottom of the engine and there are two level marks. I assumed the bottom one was low oil and the top one was max oil. I went close to the top but not right at it. So there is a small air bubble you can see in the glass window.

I started it and let it run and let the oil circulate and then I let it sit 5 min and looked. Still in between the two marks.

I took it for a ride and the oil light came on. It did not stay on all the time, but it would be on one block and off the next and so on and so forth. I turned around and came home. I am assuming I am right on the cuff, add a tiny bit more oil and the light will go off since it was not on steady the whole ride.

But why did it come on at all? I was above the bottom hash mark and closer to the top one.

 

[Duff]

Fill it up to the top of window. Even in the book it say's 3 1/2 L of oil. Did that on my first oil change (about 3 weeks ago). and sure as heck it was at the top of the window with 3 1/2 L of oil. No problems.

 

[Stryker2012]

I've just dumped the whole gallon in (manual says capacity is 3.9 gallons...might as well just say 4) ...and never had a problem. Always did the oil just using the side stand only, never leveled it...figure the drain plug is on that side too...so even better

Curious...why do you fill the filter with oil and then put it on? I've been working on cars/bikes since I was a kid and never heard of that. It sounds messy and a pain in the ass

 

[Voltage]

Same here I leave it on the stand, drain & remove filter. Then I wet the filter seal and install. Them put all 4 quarts in and go. Never any issues.
I am also questioning the filling of the filter prior to install?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[Skwerlee]

It's not necessary to fill the oil filter. That's really only recommended on diesel's anyhow due to how large those filters are. The oil level sensor switch is quite sensitive on our bikes and many of us have had this issue. You should check the level in the sight window when the bike is perfectly level and you want it to be almost all the way to the top and you'll be good.

 

[11Stryker]

That and if you did fill filter- when you tip it up to thread on motor- most oil would run out all over floor anyway. HEHE

 

[Chop Chop]

It's funny cause I always put a bit of oil in the filter too, I don't fill it. My Dad was a ship mechanic and later underground heavy equipment. The diesel thing makes since I learned from the old fart.

 

[Stryker2012]

It's funny cause I always put a bit of oil in the filter too, I don't fill it. My Dad was a ship mechanic and later underground heavy equipment. The diesel thing makes since I learned from the old fart.

So maybe on heavy diesel equipment it would make sense, but no need on automotive/motorcycle applications. Just make sure to run some oil around the gasket first.

 

[Skwerlee]

So maybe on heavy diesel equipment it would make sense, but no need on automotive/motorcycle applications. Just make sure to run some oil around the gasket first.

I fill the oil filter on my 5.9 Cummins Turbo Diesel...it holds 12 quarts total and a quart of that is in the filter.

Also, the OE Yamaha filters already come with greased gaskets :biggrin1:

 

[Taz56]

Growing up as a kid my dad always filled the filters on everything we worked on. He told me this way when you first start the engine there is not a high pressure flow of oil into the filter damaging the pleats inside. Maybe it is not needed, maybe he is off his rocker but honestly it takes 5 seconds and makes me feel better so I do it and will continue.

And 11stryker you really don't lose much if any if you do it right.

So basically what I am hearing is leave it on it's kick stand when I check the level of the oil and fill it to the top of the window.... That was what I needed to know and I thank everyone who posted.

 

[11Stryker]

You guys must be good threaders and Fast Spinners to not leak the oil out when putting that filter on it's side. I always fill filters also, but only when they screw into the bottom of a housing.

 

[Taz56]

It is not like none comes out, but also not like you made it sound where it spills out...... So you yes have to pay attention to what your doing but it works.

 

[Skwerlee]

So basically what I am hearing is leave it on it's kick stand when I check the level of the oil and fill it to the top of the window.... That was what I needed to know and I thank everyone who posted.

No you fill it while its on the stand but you need to have it perfectly upright while checking the level. I fill mine on the stand, fire it up for a few seconds, kill the engine and let it sit for a few minutes, and then I just have someone sit on it while I check the sight window.

 

[11Stryker]

You do realize that when you fill the crankcase that the oil level in crankcase is above this filter and gets filled anyhow- right. HEHEHE

 

[Stryker2012]

I guess I'm a bad doo-bee. I don't think I have even looked at the sight glass except when I first got the bike to make sure the dealer had put enough oil in. Other than that, when I do my oil changes, I drain it all out, put on the new filter, dump in the gallon of Rotella, and off I go :madgrin:

 

[Stryker2012]

Growing up as a kid my dad always filled the filters on everything we worked on. He told me this way when you first start the engine there is not a high pressure flow of oil into the filter damaging the pleats inside. Maybe it is not needed, maybe he is off his rocker but honestly it takes 5 seconds and makes me feel better so I do it and will continue.

...and nobody was criticizing for filling the filter....just never heard of it before. Do what you feel best about ....live long and perspire....(Vulcan was a very hot planet) -no...not a "Trekkie"

 

[mikoloe]

Growing up as a kid my dad always filled the filters on everything we worked on.

Were the filters sideways then? I remember my dad telling the same thing. But foremost, he said "Son, don't ever let dont let your beer get warm when doing an oil change." Love you DAD!

 

[Stryker2012]

Miko, I think a perfect mod for your bike would be to get a custom gas tank shaped like a beer bottle, ...:thumb:

 

[Taz56]

...and nobody was criticizing for filling the filter....just never heard of it before. Do what you feel best about ....live long and perspire....(Vulcan was a very hot planet) -no...not a "Trekkie"

No worries here, never thought you were......

 

[Taz56]

Growing up as a kid my dad always filled the filters on everything we worked on.

Were the filters sideways then? I remember my dad telling the same thing. But foremost, he said "Son, don't ever let dont let your beer get warm when doing an oil change." Love you DAD!

Yeah they were sideways, you never filled it RIGHT to the top but at least 3/4 or more.....

Your dad sounds like a smart man.