Oil change mystery, only 2 quarts drained out??

[giantdefy]

Did an oil change, replaced oil filter and only 2 quarts went back in. That means approx 2 quarts of old oil did not drain! Is there a secret to fully draining the crankcase??

[va duc]

Yes, the bike has to be upright, not on the side stand.

[galaxy]

What makes you think that bike holds 4 quarts of oil?? I assure you it does not.

[giantdefy]

Originally Posted by va duc

Yes, the bike has to be upright, not on the side stand.

Bike was upright on a race stand.

Originally Posted by galaxy

What makes you think that bike holds 4 quarts of oil?? I assure you it does not.

I said "approx". Owners manual says 3.7 Liters or 3.91 quarts. so im off by .09 quart. So yes, I do think the bike holds about 4 quarts.

So, question again, does anyone know why the crankcase does not fully drain??

[galaxy]

Wow...my apologies! I didn't imagine that thing would hold that much. If you've removed the filter, drain plug, and screen (if that motor has one) then that's all that's coming out.

I don't know the numbers off hand, but I do recall the owners manual on my SS is waaaaay off. Bike holds just over 2 quarts.

[giantdefy]

Originally Posted by galaxy

Wow...my apologies! I didn't imagine that thing would hold that much. If you've removed the filter, drain plug, and screen (if that motor has one) then that's all that's coming out.

I don't know the numbers off hand, but I do recall the owners manual on my SS is waaaaay off. Bike holds just over 2 quarts.

My previous ride a yamaha FZ1 holds 4 quarts and exactly 4 quarts goes back in after draining the oil and filter.
If the owners manual on the Duc says 3.91 quarts and only 2 comes out, maybe its getting trapped in the oil cooler?? or maybe I need to rock the bike side to side?
Its a little comforting to know that your SS is doing the same thing, but not too happy knowing that approx 50% of the old oil is now mixed in with the new oil.
My next oil change will be this weekend, Ill try rocking the bike side to side and see if it makes a difference. I did not remove the screen but will on this next change. Hopefully one of the two proposed solutions will yield an answer to this missing oil mystery.

[va duc]

That's odd, I would re post this in the SS forum, maybe someone there can help you?

[bang76]

Did you empty the oil cooler? (If it has one...?)

[motolectric]

Originally Posted by bang76

Did you empty the oil cooler? (If it has one...?)

To get all the oil out you (often) do need to leave it overnight so the oil in the cooler and hoses (and a lot that is just laying in small crevices) can (slowly) drain out.

HTH

[galaxy]

Yea, but you guys are talking about squeezing blood out of a turnip...ounces; and I'm talking only a few ounces. Not worth removing the oil cooler.

Moral of the story is, you ARE NOT missing/leaving two quarts of oil in the motor. It's empty. The book is incorrect.