Oil Refill - '98 Cali ?

[kballowe]

This is a new-to-me 1998 Cali EV with 13,xxx miles.  I've been taking it apart and playing with it for the past couple of weeks. There's some oil in the airbox, and the oil drain totals exactly three quarts.  (I didn't spill any [this time]).   

The book says three liters for an oil change (with filter).

I ask because proper Moto Guzzi motorcycle oil refill amounts can sometimes be a mystery - regardless of what the dipstick shows.

[pehayes]

There's some oil in the airbox,

That is too  vague.  How much is 'some'?  A little half-teaspoon puddle in the corner is fine.
Ignore the book.  Ignore the dipstick.  Drain the oil.  Pour in three quarts.  The bike breathes a little better and has less tendency to push oil leaks if the oil level is a little below full.  Using quarts instead of liters will give you that slight reduced level differential.  Yes, pour oil into the new filter.  If  you don't find large puddles under the bike you can presume that what  you poured in is still in there.  That stupid black dipstick is nearly impossible to read.  I made a shop dipstick out of light colored aluminum rod which is much easier to see. 

That bike is barely broken in.  I have two '98EV and each is over 100K miles.  Robust machine.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[LowRyter]

This is a new-to-me 1998 Cali EV with 13,xxx miles.  I've been taking it apart and playing with it for the past couple of weeks. There's some oil in the airbox, and the oil drain totals exactly three quarts.  (I didn't spill any [this time]).   

The book says three liters for an oil change (with filter).

I ask because proper Moto Guzzi motorcycle oil refill amounts can sometimes be a mystery - regardless of what the dipstick shows.

squares with my EV.  Fill it, then ride a few miles, it'll look about half low on the stick.  Then it stays there.  I'd hate know how much oil it would keep in the case without the spacer. 

BTW, I don't think it matters if it's on the center stand or not.  Or perhaps it does and that's why the dipstick might look a little low.   

Anyway, don't top it up unless it drops to bottom mark. 

Just speaking for myself the least mechanical guy on the board.  Your experience may differ.

[Tom H]

On my next oil change all my Gussies will get 3qts. Take 1qt and fill the filter, then use the remainder and 2 more quarts. Done.

The EVT has been fine with 3ltr, but I will keep them all the same.

I don't remember where I bought it, maybe MG. They have IIRR an unmarked dipstick with a round silver rod for the EV. Add your 3qts, run the bike, let settle and mark the level. Next time add 2qts and mark your low level.

Tom

[kballowe]

That is too  vague.  How much is 'some'? 

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

There was oil hanging on the drain tube and the center stand was well lubricated.  This precipitated the inspection of the air box.  The drain box had that teaspoon of oil in it, but was otherwise well drained.  The air filter was dry and looked virtually new.

I always did 3L on my EV's and never had an issue. Same with Jan's Jackal. Many, many combined miles between these bikes.

Dino or synthetic?

John Henry

John Henry - I am currently undecided.  I DO have some Genuine Harley oil on the shelf......   

On my next oil change all my Gussies will get 3qts. Take 1qt and fill the filter, then use the remainder and 2 more quarts. Done.

The EVT has been fine with 3ltr, but I will keep them all the same.

I don't remember where I bought it, maybe MG. They have IIRR an unmarked dipstick with a round silver rod for the EV. Add your 3qts, run the bike, let settle and mark the level. Next time add 2qts and mark your low level.

Tom

Thanks, Tom

[fotoguzzi]

When you fill the filter what keeps it from draining out when you screw it on the sump?

[kballowe]

When you fill the filter what keeps it from draining out when you screw it on the sump?

It's magic.   

Seriously though, anti-drainback valve.  Not sure how well that works over an extended time, but mine never seem to leak back into the sump - at least not while they're being re-assembled.  Of course, ya gotta first flip the pan over and screw it on with the filter hole facing up.

My wife volunteered to help me, as long as I got "that stuff" out of her dish drainer.

[JoeB]

I've been doing 3 qts. since 98, no problems.
Also use the obligatory Guzzi hose clamp. Makes me feel better.
 Took a very small drill bit and poked some holes in the plastic dipstick for better assessment of level.

[pehayes]

Also use the obligatory Guzzi hose clamp. Makes me feel better.

The original poster sounds new to Guzzi and may not know of what you write.  Need to find him a picture.  After the oil filter is assembled to the pan, one installs a suitable diameter hose clamp around the filter and butts the screw portion of the clamp up against the pressure relief valve.  The oil filter can never come loose until the clamp is removed.  There have been some issues of oil filters spontaneously coming unscrewed.  Use your imagination on that.

https://imgbb.com/71rWy2D

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[kballowe]

The original poster sounds new to Guzzi and may not know of what you write. 

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

Thank-you Patrick.  That's what is so great about this forum, that everyone looks out for everyone else !   

No he snot new to Guzzi. Prolly knows about the hose klamp.

John Henry

HEY !

 

I also remember not to refill a 1400 with book listed 4 liters.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I use 3 qts. exactly, oil filter or no oil filter. Hose clamp:

[ChrisG]

I've wondered what the deal was when 'hose clamp' was mentioned in the context of an oil filter change.  Now I know.  Thanks Patrick Hayes and Charlie. Not sure it's needed but I can't see a downside.

[Ncdan]

I use 3 qts. exactly, oil filter or no oil filter. Hose clamp:

Thanks for that picture of the hose clamp position. I did it on my first Guzzi, an 04 EV touring but I had forgotten the exact procedure and it’s about time to change the oil in the 02 Stone.👍

[kingoffleece]

I put an Outsider on my Jackal.  All good so far.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I use 3 qts. exactly, oil filter or no oil filter. Hose clamp:

Yep, me too, except I don't use UFIs or a hose clamp.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Yep, me too, except I don't use UFIs or a hose clamp.

Customer supplied the filter, I normally use HiFloFiltro. Always use a hose clamp though, costs 95 cents and there is no downside to it's use.

[kballowe]

Customer supplied the filter, I normally use HiFloFiltro.

I am partial to the HiFlo filters.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Customer supplied the filter, I normally use HiFloFiltro. Always use a hose clamp though, costs 95 cents and there is no downside to it's use.

There is if you have a V11 Sport.. 

[LowRyter]

Bosch or Wix (identical) + hose clamp.  Cali EV or V11 Sport. 

No hose clamp and got on oil pressure (Sport).  With a hose clamp and got no oil pressure, needed an oil pump (Cali). 

So it goes.