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Fazer 600 Oil and Filter Change - Problem - By Ren Withnell
Changing the oil and filter on a Yamaha Fazer FZS 600 should be the the easiest thing to do. And for the most part it's as difficult or as easy as any other bike. Drain the oil, remove the filter, replace the drain plug and fit a new filter, then fill with oil. Hmmmmmm
This has happened twice. I fill the bike with oilt until it's about half way up the sight glass. I run the engine for 4 or 5 minutes to make sure the oil's filled the filter and got around the engine. I then leave the bike to stand for 10 minutes while I clear up and put the old oil into an old container. Then I recheck the oil and top up until the level's a few millimetres below the top of the sight glass.
No problem. Then I ride the bike. This time round I took the bike for a 30 mile round trip. I park the bike up and let it settle whilst I take off my bike gear and roll a smoke. I recheck the oil...to find it's up above the sight glass. I let it settle for another 10 minutes but sure enough it's still overfull.
I've done this before. I have a large syringe and a piece of tube I use to drain off the excess. This time round I've removed quarter of a litre! Where the hell is it coming from? Surely if nothing else it should drop slightly as any empty crevaces are filled. I have considered expension, the oil may be more voluminous when it's hot, but this surely cannot amke for much difference at all. I honestly cannot work out what is happening.
I'm more than open to suggestions. Please post any ideas below.
There is one other problem. This time round the filter's been on for about a year. I tend to change it every other oil change, that's oil every 3,000 and filter every 6,000 miles. I always expect the filter to be dirty and caked in road tar and muck, but this filter this time was rusty. Not a tad of rust, I mean rusty to the point of potential failure. I reckon another few months of hard rain and it would have started to leak, with potentially disasterous results.
Unfortunately I can't recall what make the filter is, and any markings have long since been blasted off with road spray. I bought a genuine Yamaha one this time round and I hope that proves much more robust. That said, it cost £14, that's twice what you'd pay for a pattern item. It was never a problem on the NTV, the filter's hidden round the back of the engine and out of the worst of the weather, the Fazer's filter is up front between the exhaust pipes and catches every piece of rain, road tar, dirt and stone that flies up off the front wheel. It could do with some protection, we'll see how robust the Yamaha one is first.
It's not the best image, but you can see the rust forming.
Reader's Comments
neil p said :-
hi Ren
I wouldn't rely on the sight glass level method
the haynes manual and the fzs600 owners manual both recommend the engine to be filled with 2.7litres (oil and filter change)or 2.5 litres if only changing the oil, measure this out and pour in slowly this should ensure that the correct amount of oil is put into the engine. providing sufficient time is allowed to drain the old oil out of a hot engine.
cheers neil p
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
seba said :-
hy what oil do you use? in w please:)
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Seba - According to the Haynes manual I use a 10W-40 weight oil.
If you're curious about quality, that's up to you. I personally choose a mid price car oil and make sure to change it often. Others may choose a high quality fully synthetic oil specifically for motorcycles.
Oil choice is a massive subject! There's plenty of information and lots and lots of opinions.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Neelesh shetty said :-
wtz d grade of used in fzs nd wtz d capacity of oil wid filter replacement
Wtz d use f synthetic oil 4 it
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Bob said :-
You're overfilling in the first instance. Once the old oil is out and the filter and sump are buttoned back up, pour in fresh oil and let it settle. Fill to the BOTTOM of the sight glass.
Run it up and let it get warm, rev it a bit. Shut off leave 1 minute then top up to the line.
Done.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Mark said :-
I've had a FZS600 for 14 years and this is a common problem. Residual oil hides in many places. After taking out the sump plug and filter , leave to drain for 30 minutes or so on the side stand before replacing and refilling.
Good idea, as said, to first fill to the bottom of the sight glass, and top up after a decent ride.
16/11/2017 22:22:34 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
I'm glad it wasn't just me! I was beginning to think I was just useless. Cheers Mark.
17/11/2017 06:53:41 UTC
Kev said :-
Best not use car oil as it's not suitable for 'wet' clutches fitted to 99.99% of bikes.
16/12/2018 08:38:09 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
Only if it has friction modifiers. If it has it will have a symbol like this:
16/12/2018 10:09:54 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
As stated previously there is a massive huge ongoing debate about whether or not car oils should be used in motorcycles. It is a subject far more complex and with far more science and opinions than we could cover here.
As Ian points out the primary concern is that some super extra slippery additives can cause wet clutches to slip. Secondly to this is most motorcycles also use the same oil in the gearbox as in the engine which can shear oils not designed to be in gearboxes.
My opinion - and it is purely an opinion not a fact - is that for older and/or less-stressed engines car oils are OK but may require changing a little more often. Avoid the energy conserving oils as Ian pointed out.
17/12/2018 10:41:51 UTC
James said :-
Hi, yesterday i drained old oil and left sump opened over night, this morning i discovered at least 200ml of oil at the tray that i left there cause expected some drops - but not 200ml!!!
21/03/2022 21:33:30 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Curious James, very curious. I wonder if the Fazer 600 motor has a 200ml passage/gallery/recess/void that simply drains very slowly indeed. It would explain the peculiarity we have both experienced. Thanks for the information, much appreciated.
21/03/2022 22:24:05 UTC
nab301 said :-
" I wonder if the Fazer 600 motor has a 200ml passage/gallery/recess/void that simply drains very slowly"
Oil cooler ?
Nigel
21/03/2022 22:36:22 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Fazer 600 is water cooled... been a while since I owned this bike but I don't recall it having an oil cooler too. Good thinking though, have 2 smarty-pants points.
22/03/2022 14:20:54 UTC
Paul Wilson said :-
Hi. I also have Yamaha 600 Fazer. I have just changed the oil and filter last weekend. The bike then started making a whining noise at around 40mph . I checked the oil level at work today and sure enough the oil level was way past the sight glass
I brought it home and I have taken out about 300ml just to get the pool at the top of the correct level. Took it for a little run (10 mins up the road) but the noise is there. Anyone any ideas ? please.
06/04/2023 15:55:11 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Paul.
Firstly 300 ml is quite a bit, but I wouldn't have thought enough to cause long term damage.
Did you do anything else at the same service interval.
Adjust the chain, lube the chain, brakes, tyres,steering etc?
Give it a good looking over, spin the wheels, run it in gear and out on the stand.
Come back to us.
Upt.
07/04/2023 09:53:02 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm in agreement with Upt' much as it pains both myself and him.
Paul you say the bike makes this noise at 40mph. Is that at 40mph in both 4th, 5th and 6th gear? If it was due to the slight overfill it would be related to engine revs and not actual road speed. If it's the "cycle" parts it'll be apparent at certain speeds no matter which gear you're in.
300ml is not a lot - you were right to remove it but it's not a disaster. At worst I'd expect high oil consumption and/or leaking seals.
07/04/2023 11:07:19 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Au contraire mon amigo, your agreement fills me with joy and delight.
Now get the heading changed you muckle wassock.
Upt.
07/04/2023 12:48:37 UTC
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