when do i check the oil

[the beaster16]

when do i check the oil on my 400ex to get proper reading

[ZeroLogic]

I usally check it when the motor is ice cold and havn't been ran for a few hours. It takes a while for the oil to drain down from the top end.

warm it up and then check it

[JOEX]

Originally posted by ZeroLogic
I usally check it when the motor is ice cold and havn't been ran for a few hours. It takes a while for the oil to drain down from the top end.
Wrong for the 400ex!



Originally posted by MixMasterMike
warm it up and then check it
That's the short answer....

The better way....

1. Warm up the motor, (ride it or let it idle) for about 10 minutes or so. The imoprtant part is to let the motor idle for several minutes before shutting it off.

2. Let it rest for about 5 minutes.

3. remove the dipstick, wipe it off then reinsert it without screwing it in. Remove it and check where the oil level is. Adjust as neccessary.

4. Replace the dipstick.

[Titanium]

Originally posted by MixMasterMike
warm it up and then check it

[prepracing]

JOEX is correct, because on the 400ex the oil has to circulate back into the oil tank. When a 400 sits for a while the oil drains back into the bottom end of the moror. The engine needs to be atleast to operating temp then idle a few mins. Then check it a few mins. later.

[DAVE14]

the book says run it then let it sit 5 min. & check again scary proposition when its reading low & you suspect its low any way, the best Ive done is 3 years of flat out hard ridin till I smoked the rings & piston no matter how many oil changes or how often I checked the oil (but thats redlining a lot) I suppose an ex would last much longer if it were ridden easy !

[the beaster16]

thanks guys!!!