Newb mistake, used the wrong oil!

[tc862011]

i use rotella 15-40w in my bike just started using it with the last oil change and its about time for another one soon but i love it so much better then the adverised motorcycle oil, never had an issue with it and it seems like is has improved engine workings, i didnt say performance but what i mean is the working of the motor everything felt smoother and seemed to quite a hair as well

[exzachtly1]

No. But you might want to use NEW lock washers.

Eric

What size are the lock washers, or is there a good place to find a parts manual with all of the nut, screw, bolt, and washer sizes in general? If I remember correctly from the first oil change, there may not have been lock washers on there in the first place.

[Steve]

I used this oil

Scroll down in the description, you will see this:

Standards: API SM/SL, ILSAC GF-4 & GF-3, Energy Conserving

That is the FIRST time I have seen anything thicker than 10w-30 with the "Energy Conserving" rating.

Looked on Valvoline's site, can't even find that oil for any details, will have to loof at the store this evening.

.

[exzachtly1]

That is the FIRST time I have seen anything thicker than 10w-30 with the "Energy Conserving" rating.

Looked on Valvoline's site, can't even find that oil for any details, will have to loof at the store this evening.

.

Looks like I hit the newbie lottery then, lol! Just my luck

[exzachtly1]

c'mon guy take one of the nuts off and get to Hardware store for a fit that's slightly larger than thread circumference!

Haha, OK will do! I was planning to stop on the way home but I guess I can do it that way too. Trying to save on the runaround is all

[recycled64]

What size are the lock washers, or is there a good place to find a parts manual with all of the nut, screw, bolt, and washer sizes in general? If I remember correctly from the first oil change, there may not have been lock washers on there in the first place.

All I've ever seen on the GS's I've ever had anything to do with were 6mm
flat washers.

[Nessism]

Not flat washers, lock washers. Suzuki does not call for thread lock. You can download a real factory service manual for your bike from basscliff's website for free.

[Steve]

Surprisingly, they only show the nut and a lock washer in the fiche.

I have always used a flat washer between a lock washer and an aluminum part, but it was never there in the original design.

.

[exzachtly1]

Not flat washers, lock washers. Suzuki does not all for thread lock. You can download a real factory service manual for your bike from basscliff's website for free.

Yeah I do have the service manual, but I don't see any info about the sizes of washers, bolts, etc... it's a big manual so maybe I am just missing it.

I'll probably just pick up a variety pack of lock washers. Cheap and will probably have the right size somewhere in there.

[Steve]

Yeah I do have the service manual, but I don't see any info about the sizes of washers, bolts, etc... it's a big manual so maybe I am just missing it.

I'll probably just pick up a variety pack of lock washers. Cheap and will probably have the right size somewhere in there.

They are M6 bolts (or studs), so get an M6 washer or use a 1/4" lock washer, which is just a tiny bit bigger, but not enough to hurt anything.

.

[MisterCinders]

Surprisingly, they only show the nut and a lock washer in the fiche.

I have always used a flat washer between a lock washer and an aluminum part, but it was never there in the original design.

.

Pretty sure my filter cover has only flat washers, but who knows how many times those bits have changed over 34 years.

Not clear to me what a lock washer would add to the fastener there. The filter spring already provides outward pressure against the stud threads, so what would another spring (i.e. lock washer) add to that? I do have newer nylon lock nuts there.

[mrbill5491]

Hmnm, think I'll get some new washers for my oil filter cover, its been missing a couple...

[reliant_turbo]

Not flat washers, lock washers. Suzuki does not call for thread lock. You can download a real factory service manual for your bike from basscliff's website for free.

the fiche for my 82 1100EZ shows a flat washer and the suzuki manual calls for thread lock.

are yours the 3 bolt oil cover or the 5 bolt?

Brian

[exzachtly1]

Well now, I just had a really interesting experience with the lock washers. I don't know if the acorn nuts on there were just really old and weak or what - but I barely put any torque on them and ALL 3 of them completely stripped out. I was going around in a circle applying even tightening, figured the initial tension was just from the cap + spring settling. Then they just kept turning and turning and turning...

The lock washers did not even flatten. No idea what the deal was here, maybe the acorns were replaced at some point with weak ones?? Anyways, in a panic I had to run out to sears hardware and find replacements. Thankfully they had the right ones so I came home and threw those on WITHOUT the lock nuts for fear of doing it again. Turned the oil change job into a 2.5 hour affair, lol

At least now I definitely have a proper oil change with the right oil and exactly the right level. No leaks, new acorns. Happy bike

Didn't have a chance to test ride since it got dark and I'm still on my temps. Hopefully tomorrow if the rain stays away. I'm interested to see if I can tell the difference with the better oil in there.

So - proceed with the locking washers at your own risk?? I'm just not sure how that happened. I used M6 1/4" washers. Maybe they were too thick or something..?

[exzachtly1]

the fiche for my 82 1100EZ shows a flat washer and the suzuki manual calls for thread lock.

are yours the 3 bolt oil cover or the 5 bolt?

Brian

3-bolt cover. You might be right on the flat washer... this fiche seems to show flat washers. Mine calls for thread lock too, though I did not apply it since it didn't seem to be on there from before. I will keep a close eye on it for leaks when I get a chance to do some riding.