amount of oil

[Hef]

I have always followed the manual and added the exact amount of oil when doing an oil change. I met a couple of Valkyrie riders today at the local Cracker Barrel and we were discussing the Valkyries. The subject of oil changes came up and they said they have a friend who is a Honda rep and he told them it would not hurt anything to add the full 4 qts. They both said they have always put in the whole 4 quarts with no problems resulting. It is my understanding that you should never overfill an engine crankcase. Anyone here have any input on using the entire 4 qts?

[R J]

I have used the full 4 qts and other times I have put in the specified.

Haven't had any engine problem in 243K + miles.

[Bugslayer]

I buy the gallon jug and pour it in.  Always just right on the dip stick. 

[Gryphon Rider]

Manual says 3.9 qt with filter change. Extra 0.1 qt won't harm anything.

[Patrick]

Yep, 4 qts. Actually, I drain a bit more than 4 qts out, but, I work at it.

[Bone]

4.0 quarts =128 ounces
3.9 quarts =124.8 ounces

3.2 ounces of liquid spread out over the area of the crankcase would raise the level
on the dip stick very little, won't hurt a thing.

[Grandpot]

Four quarts all the time.  Keep it simple.

[Chrisj CMA]

If it makes you feel better....as you pour in each qt dont let it drain fully.  you know that last tiny stream until you get every drop.  just leave that part in the bottle and X4 that will be very close to .1 left from that gallon

[F6Dave]

Some of the automotive filters many of us use, like the Purolator PureONE 14610, are longer and increase the total oil capacity of the Valk.  They also filter better than the OEM version and cost less.

[Farther]

Some of the automotive filters many of us use, like the Purolator PureONE 14610, are longer and increase the total oil capacity of the Valk.  They also filter better than the OEM version and cost less.

I use an automotive oil filter too but I doubt whether it filters significantly better than the Hondaline filter.  Do you have a source for this information?

To keep this on topic, I purchase my oil in one gallon jugs and dump the whole jug in.

[9Ball]

Since most people probably don't actually measure the amount of oil in each bottle, my guess is that the volume of oil in a quart or gallon container varies enough to introduce an error anyway....I also just add 4 qts and call it a day.

[F6Dave]

I use an automotive oil filter too but I doubt whether it filters significantly better than the Hondaline filter.  Do you have a source for this information?

Here you go.  This site hasn't been updated for a while (it still mentions the Super Tech from Wal Mart) but it contains as much info on filters as I've seen anywhere:  http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Filters.html#OilFilters

If you really want to be overwhelmed with filter information, check out the links near the end of his article.  His site also contains loads of other useful motorcycle info.

The Honda OEM filter isn't bad, but you can certainly get a better filter while spending less.  The PureONE is probably the best on the market, but it is really ugly since they changed to that awful mustard color!

[Farther]

Is there anything on oil analysis in there.

[F6Dave]

Just go to http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/ and you'll find an incredible amount of info on oil analysis.  I had no idea you could learn so much about what is happening in you engine from the used oil.  Things like the silicon content can indicate a bad air filter, chromium content can indicate piston ring wear, and lead content can indicate bearing wear.  They talk about it all a great length on that site.

[Farther]

Is the oil analysis related to a particular brand of oil filter?

[bassman]

My two cents and that's EXACTLY what it's worth - 2 cents.......I can only GUESS that
it calls for 3.9qts of oil to fill up a NEW motor....pull the drain plug and let the oil drain
and I'm GUESSING you won't get a full 3.9qts out of the motor...think there will aways be
some leftover inside...now dump four quarts of fresh oil in and put the cap back on...take
the four "empty" quarts and turn them upside down for 10-15 minutes and you can get
more oil out.....I guess it all balances out with leaving some residual oil both in the motor
when draining and in the quarts (or larger container) when filling.  I just dump in the four quarts
and MEASURE IT on the dipstick to make sure it's up to the top line when I'm done.  Your opinion and experience may differ.....
 

[cookiedough]

Holy cow batgman,  I must be doing it all wrong.  EVeryone seems to dump in 4 full qts. NOT ME.  I out in 4 ounces short of a full 4 qts. and is right at or a tad below the full mark on the dipstick NOT screwed into with the threads.  Doubt 4 qts. will hurt, but you never know unless you have an extended oil filter I'd error on the side of 1 ounce too short than 3-4 ounces too full.  Overfill is, or should I say CAN, be a bad thing.  However,  the VAlk engine is very forgiving and the extra 3-4 ounces when it comes to a full 4 qts. is only like a smidge more than above the full mark when using a stock sized oil filter.

Fricking Can Am new ds90cc youth atv I put in right after the 6 month warranty was out a full 1 qt. of oil and let it drain for the first oil change like 30 minutes when warmed up and even tipped the ATV on it's side a foot or so to get all the new oil out of it.  Well,  owners manual calls for 1.2 qts.  and I put in 1 qt. which was like 1/8" (maybe 1-2 ounces tops if that) OVERFILLED on the dipstick so I let it go.  Next time out, the engine oil seal was leaking/dripping oil out on the ATV trail.  Dealer and Can Am mfg. blamed me for overfilling 1-2 ounces stating that is what blew the seal out.   Can am and dealer didn't honor the warranty and never stood behind it even though I argued over it and did NOT overfill according to owners manual.  I guess 6 months is 6 months regardless of the 4-5 times ridden at most.    Overfill can be a bad thing is moral of my point.  

[houstone]

The Honda OEM filter isn't bad, but you can certainly get a better filter while spending less.  The PureONE is probably the best on the market, but it is really ugly since they changed to that awful mustard color!

A rattle can of chrome is way better than the mustard!  ;-)

[Ricky-D]

Under fill or overfill

Under fill is a problem if the motor doesn't have enough oil to meet the needs of the motor.

Overfill is a problem as stated by many motor manufacturers because of the heat retention too much oil in the motor can produce.

A little less or a little too much will not be a big enough problem to cause concern.

At least that's the way I look at the question.

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