Hi all. I've had my '87 CBR 600 for a few months now and have noticed that it consumes oil alarmingly fast, semi-blind guess is 1/2 qt. every one to two weeks. I've ruled out a leak-I've never seen oil under it and there are no obvious leaks, so I assume that means it's burning it. My question is, short of replacing my O-rings and/or the valves, what can I do to slow the rate at which it burns? I've read that using a synthetic oil with a higher flash point can help reduce it, can anyone second that advice? Not gonna lie to myself, I'm pretty sure I'm headed straight for an O-ring or valve change, but I'm looking for some inexpensive ways to put this off for a while. Thanks!
2007-09-12 15:26:13 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Since there's no leaks, it's either piston (not O) rings or the valve stem seals. The first involves removing the head and cylinder block, the latter the head. Piston rings for bikes are very expensive compared to auto rings. The ring job will be rather pricey and the valve seal job less expensive, with it being mostly labor and few minor parts to buy.
How many miles does the bike have? If less than 50,000 I wouldn't suspect rings unless it's been rung out at high rpms and past redline so many times that one or more piston rings have beed broken. Do you get much blow by? That's air being forced out of the engine crankcase and back into the air cleaner. If so, you'll find the air filter is oily and you can figure worn or busted compression rings. If the spark plugs dirty up with black, oily residue, it's likely a worn or busted oil ring. Get someone who know how to properly check the cylinder compression with a compression guage. If one cylinder is lots lower than the rest, then it's probably a broken ring. With a fully charged battery and the throttle wide open, if all cylinder readings are even but lower than normal for your bike, then it's probably just wear.
If none of the above but it smokes blue exhaust, especially when first starting up and more from the left side exhaust after being parked on the sidestand, then it's likely the valve stem seals. The rubber valve stem seals harden with age and heat and don't seal well.
If the bike runs ok otherwise and you've ruled out broken rings, I suggest you just buy oil by the case. One quart a month is what, $3? That's the cost of a couple of cheeseburgers and a case will last two years when used for replacing oil used. Since I do all my own work, I'm not an expert as far as cost goes. Depending upon the complexity of your bike, I suspect a ring job would probably be in the $500 range, just guessing. That would but a lot of oil. If you think it's a broken ring, have someone you can trust and more experienced check. Broken rings will score the cylinder walls and wear the ring lands (grooves where the rings fit) making the inevitable ring job include a piston and cylinder block.
2007-09-13 08:54:05 · answer #1 · answered by bikinkawboy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Car guys should stick to cars.
If you use automotive oil it will probably cause clutch problems and also break down at about 800~1000 mile intervals. I know it costs more but either use a motorcycle specified oil or try Shell Rotella diesel oil, conventional or synthetic. Diesel oils have mostly the same additives as motorcycle oils in general and are much cheaper than motorcycle specific oils I'm using Rotella 5W/40 full synthetic from Wal-Mart at about $17.00 a gallon. Seems fine so far, gear change and clutch operation actually better than when I was using bike specific oil ( in a slightly modified Suzuki Katana)
Dont use anything that says energy conserving on the back of pack, it has friction modifiers that will mess up clutch and possibly transmission. You will probably get a lot of 'advice' and opinions on this question
2007-09-12 18:42:20 · answer #2 · answered by 1crazypj 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I dont usually bother with "oil questions"
Easier to try to change somebody's religion or politics,lol.
But you sound like you're in a particular situation and are interested in something which may improve the condition.
And you don't seem to have any unrealistic expectations of a "miracle cure"
There's all sorts of things you can try.
If you don't happen upon anything which gives any worthwhile results,,,,
Try filling it with plain straight 40 weight Valvoline.
Good Luck with it
2007-09-12 23:36:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
synthetic may help. my car was burning a little oil , like 1 quart every 3,000 . I put the syn blend in it , hasn't burned any since . or try adding some STP oil treatment
2007-09-12 15:30:45 · answer #4 · answered by jon_wayne89 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get some Lucas Oil Stabilizer (the synthetic one) from Autozone- If that won't help, nothing else you pour in will.
2007-09-12 15:45:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋