klr650 : oil,whiskey! nklr

[jbukwyld]

I just returned from a weekend ride consisting of two 100 mile rides on I-17. Checked oil before first ride and it was AOK. When I arrived at my destination I saw no oil in the sight glass. I filled up with a pint before running it again and rode home the next day, another 100 miles. When I got home it was very low again. I have made lots of rides at lower speeds without any issues. Also, there is black soot on my rear fender behind the muffler. Any ideas about what is happening? I have a friend with an '09 KLR that just sent it to the dealer because of his oil consumption. Now it looks like I have to take my '08 in. Hopefully the extended warranty will cover!

[Thomas Komjathy]

At least part of the problem is the pumping action of the piston causing oil to be blown into the airbox. Install a PCV valve between the engine and the airbox, this will take care of most oil consumption. If it doesn't, you have some internal issues. Also, it is important to keep the oil level at the very top, or just above the sight glass. The balancer bearings do not have forced oil fed to them, they rely on the oil being moved around in the crank case area. I have run one this low and it did take a balancer bearing out. Keep the oil topped off. TK [b]From:[/b] jbukwyld [b]To:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Sent:[/b] Mon, April 26, 2010 12:28:50 PM [b]Subject:[/b] [DSN_KLR650] Scary oil consumption   I just returned from a weekend ride consisting of two 100 mile rides on I-17. Checked oil before first ride and it was AOK. When I arrived at my destination I saw no oil in the sight glass. I filled up with a pint before running it again and rode home the next day, another 100 miles. When I got home it was very low again. I have made lots of rides at lower speeds without any issues. Also, there is black soot on my rear fender behind the muffler. Any ideas about what is happening? I have a friend with an '09 KLR that just sent it to the dealer because of his oil consumption. Now it looks like I have to take my '08 in. Hopefully the extended warranty will cover!

[Fred Hink]

There have been a few 2008 KLR650s that were using excessive amounts of oil. Kawasaki has come out with a new piston and rings to help remedy this. If you are needing rings in any previous model KLR650, you are now forced to use this new piston and rings. The old part numbers have been discontinued and you are not able to get just the rings for your old model piston. The new rings will not work on the old piston. Kawasaki wants about $175 for the new piston and rings. Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com -------------------------------------------------- From: "mark_anthony123" Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 6:14 PM To: DSN_KLR650-owner@yahoogroups.com> Subject: Re: Scary oil consumption

> my 03 burns significant oil at sustained highway speed. dropping the rpm > with a larger counter sprocket and keeping the bike under 70 prevents > burning for me. the problem is I like to go faster than 70 so I always > carry oil with me and refill at stops. a bummer but it may be a trait of > the engine. I havent heard of the pcv fix. not sure how you could install > a pcv in an airbox. > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Thomas Komjathy > wrote: >> >> At least part of the problem is the pumping action of the piston causing >> oil to be blown into the airbox. Install a PCV valve between the engine >> and the airbox, this will take care of most oil consumption. If it >> doesn't, you have some internal issues. Also, it is important to keep the >> oil level at the very top, or just above the sight glass. The balancer >> bearings do not have forced oil fed to them, they rely on the oil being >> moved around in the crank case area. I have run one this low and it did >> take a balancer bearing out. Keep the oil topped off. >> >> TK >> >> >> >> >> >> ________________________________ >> From: jbukwyld >> To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >> Sent: Mon, April 26, 2010 12:28:50 PM >> Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Scary oil consumption >> >> >> I just returned from a weekend ride consisting of two 100 mile rides on >> I-17. Checked oil before first ride and it was AOK. When I arrived at >> my destination I saw no oil in the sight glass. I filled up with a pint >> before running it again and rode home the next day, another 100 miles. >> When I got home it was very low again. I have made lots of rides at >> lower speeds without any issues. Also, there is black soot on my rear >> fender behind the muffler. >> >> Any ideas about what is happening? >> >> I have a friend with an '09 KLR that just sent it to the dealer because >> of his oil consumption. Now it looks like I have to take my '08 in. >> Hopefully the extended warranty will cover! >> > >

[stuart sullivan]

This has been a big problem with the new model seems they had outsourced some of there  piston manufacturing or something and it wasn't up to scratch,i believe you can get the work done under warranty,don't be told otherwise by them this is a known fact,it wasn't all the new bikes just a certain batch which you and your friend seem to own,good luck.                                                                 Stu. To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com From: voodoojohn@... Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:28:50 +0000 Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Scary oil consumption   I just returned from a weekend ride consisting of two 100 mile rides on I-17. Checked oil before first ride and it was AOK. When I arrived at my destination I saw no oil in the sight glass. I filled up with a pint before running it again and rode home the next day, another 100 miles. When I got home it was very low again. I have made lots of rides at lower speeds without any issues. Also, there is black soot on my rear fender behind the muffler. Any ideas about what is happening? I have a friend with an '09 KLR that just sent it to the dealer because of his oil consumption. Now it looks like I have to take my '08 in. 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[Jeffrey]

My 04 with 29,500 miles on it uses a little oil. But, I overfill it a hair and I can go 1000 miles before needing to add oil. I use dinosaur juice 10-40 in the winter and 20-50 in the summer since I am mostly in SoCal weather. Thicker oil might help except in cold weather; then your starter can't. Remember that you need to let the bike sit at least 5 minutes after running it to let the oil settle before checking. 08s had an oil consumption problem and if you can beat the dealer up under warranty, you should. Jeffrey number 3

[Jeff Khoury]

#ygrps-yiv-1699396375 p {margin:0;}I use SynTech 20/50 in my '09 Dirt Ninja. Normally I go through about a quart in 3,000 miles (my change interval) in mixed riding here in L.A.  If I spend a lot of time over 5K RPM, consumption jumps quite a bit. I keep a quart in my top case for top-offs.  I keep a close eye on it and make a habit of checking it every time I fuel up.  It's just part of my routine.  I store the oil in a 1L Pepsi bottle, as SynTech bottles leak after you open them.  The Pepsi bottles are thick and the lid is wide and screws on tight. From what I've read, my consumption is about average for a KLR but others may disagree. -Jeff Khoury

----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeffrey" To: "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 7:32:01 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Scary oil consumption   My 04 with 29,500 miles on it uses a little oil. But, I overfill it a hair and I can go 1000 miles before needing to add oil. I use dinosaur juice 10-40 in the winter and 20-50 in the summer since I am mostly in SoCal weather. Thicker oil might help except in cold weather; then your starter can't. Remember that you need to let the bike sit at least 5 minutes after running it to let the oil settle before checking. 08s had an oil consumption problem and if you can beat the dealer up under warranty, you should. Jeffrey number 3

[skypilot110]

Is there any data on how do identify if a bike is in the bad batch of pistons? I know Kawasakin wont say anyting but has anybody else built a list for identifying this? Also what is up with the PCV valve thing? Is there a document anywhere showing how to do it or any data on why?

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, stuart sullivan wrote: > > > This has been a big problem with the new model seems they had outsourced some of there piston manufacturing or something and it wasn't up to scratch,i believe you can get the work done under warranty,don't be told otherwise by them this is a known fact,it wasn't all the new bikes just a certain batch which you and your friend seem to own,good luck. >

[Jeffrey]

One of the problems regarding the 2008 model year oil consumption problem is that many people esp. 2008 owners didn't want the problem discussed. Some others don't want the KLR650 tarnished by this information. But, just like the doohickey problems, there should be discussion and tracking of problems that can get you stuck in a dangerous situation on a freeway or remote backwoods trail. 2008 model year owners should start a database of VIN numbers and whether they have a severe oil consumption problem or not. Kawasaki should come clean on the oil consumption problem and the doohickey problems but like Toyota it is highly unlikely. Jeffrey #3

[sh8knj8kster]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "skypilot110" wrote:

> > Also what is up with the PCV valve thing? Is there a document anywhere showing how to do it or any data on why? >

~~~~KLR World Forum Jake Reddick Fla. "Gangster Government may look good to those currently in favor, but as some of Al Capone's confederates found out, that status is not permanent, and there is always more room under the bus." Michael Barone http://www.shakinjake.blogspot.com/

[mark ward]