Welcome, Guest
Username: Password: Remember me
  • Page:
  • 1

TOPIC:

Engine consuming oil 31 Aug 2015 07:47 #688015

  • Hazard_Mark
  • Hazard_Mark's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 2
  • Thank you received: 0
Greetings all,

I'm riding a 1982 KZ750 Spectre and I recently realized that my bike has consumed about 0.5cup oil since the last oil change that I've done, which has been around 700-800mi. I also remember a similar oil consumption issue when I first got the bike, but never really addressed the issue, by anything other than an oil and filter change. I know this is a shot in the dark. But does anyone have any ideas that might be simple to check or any ideas at all? Thanks for your help all.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Engine consuming oil 31 Aug 2015 08:17 #688021

  • SWest
  • SWest's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • 10 22 2014
  • Posts: 22348
  • Thank you received: 2599
Pics of plugs. Bad valve guide seals made mine use a quart of oil every 200 miles. I fixed them with a head rebuild. Still I was using some oil, not as much but some. I switched to Rotilla and the oil burning stopped. I've used Castrol GTX 20-50 for 40 years. Old dog.
Chances are your seals are bed too.
Steve

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Engine consuming oil 31 Aug 2015 08:56 #688025

  • 650ed
  • 650ed's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 15344
  • Thank you received: 2828
Are you bragging or complaining? :lol: Your bike is doing great. If it's only using 1/2 cup of oil in 7-800 miles you have nothing to worry about.
1/2 cup = 4 ounces
1 quart = 32 ounces
32 oz. / 4 oz. = 8
8 * 750 miles = 6,000 miles
So at the current consumption rate your bike will use about 1 quart of oil every 6,000 miles. That is fantastic! I envy you! Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Engine consuming oil 31 Aug 2015 08:59 #688026

  • SWest
  • SWest's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • 10 22 2014
  • Posts: 22348
  • Thank you received: 2599
That's about what mine is doing now. I'm convinced the Rotilla helped. The Castrol just evaporated away.
Steve

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Engine consuming oil 31 Aug 2015 09:10 #688029

  • pete greek1
  • pete greek1's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 1510
  • Thank you received: 185

650ed wrote: Are you bragging or complaining? :lol: Your bike is doing great. If it's only using 1/2 cup of oil in 7-800 miles you have nothing to worry about.
1/2 cup = 4 ounces
1 quart = 32 ounces
32 oz. / 4 oz. = 8
8 * 750 miles = 6,000 miles
So at the current consumption rate your bike will use about 1 quart of oil every 6,000 miles. That is fantastic! I envy you! Ed

Just be glad you don't have an 82 Harley Davidson instead, they would leave a 1/2 cup of oil on the garage floor, just sitting there over night :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Pete
1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Engine consuming oil 31 Aug 2015 10:45 #688039

  • jackleberry
  • jackleberry's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 394
  • Thank you received: 56
Yeah, that's not really that bad. Some oil consumption is normal. To learn a little more, you could adjust the valve clearances and then do a compression test. The compression test will give you some indication of whether the oil consumption is coming from valve guide seals or worn piston rings (low compression would indicate worn rings).

Also, you can remove the spark plugs and look in the spark plug holes. Turn the engine until you can see the back-side of the intake and exhaust vales. If they're wet with oil/gunk, then you've definitely got bad valve seals/guides. You can get a cheap USB borescope camera for $25 these days to make this easier to see.

If the bike has been sitting for a long time, then you could just have stuck rings. Ride the bike long and hard and/or put some snake oil (seafoam, marvel, ATF, whatever floats your boat) into the crankcase and see if the oil consumption goes down any.
1997 KZ1000P (P16)
2001 KZ1000P (P20)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Engine consuming oil 31 Aug 2015 13:23 #688066

  • Tyrell Corp
  • Tyrell Corp's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • "You were made as well as we could make you"
  • Posts: 1650
  • Thank you received: 260
I've tolerated quite a few old bikes over the years that use a bit of oil, usually ring, bore and valve guide oil seal issues. Sometimes you get a puff of smoke on the downchange or over-run, not always apparent when revving it in neutral.
1980 Gpz550 D1, 1981 GPz550 D1. 1982 GPz750R1. 1983 z1000R R2. all four aces

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Engine consuming oil 31 Aug 2015 13:59 #688072

  • missionkz
  • missionkz's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Posts: 1622
  • Thank you received: 184
Yeah run that bike in third gear up about 7000 RPM for a few moments, leave it in third gear and decelerate with the throttle closed to low-speed. Then accelerate back to 7000 RPM.
All the while looking back at your exhaust plume.
Bruce
1977 KZ1000A1
2016 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Far North East Metro Denver Colorado

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Engine consuming oil 31 Aug 2015 20:23 #688120

  • RonKZ650
  • RonKZ650's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 3696
  • Thank you received: 236
Yea, that is low consumption. No one wants to use oil, but buy a new motorcycle, car or truck and take it back for warranty with those numbers they will laugh at you. 1 quart in 1000 miles is considered whithin acceptable range even now, and think about it, things are much tighter tolerance now. Just add oil and ride.
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Engine consuming oil 31 Aug 2015 20:26 #688122

  • 650ed
  • 650ed's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 15344
  • Thank you received: 2828
+1 !!! Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Page:
  • 1
Powered by Kunena Forum