Engine Oils

[harish_gkumar]

Re: Engine Oils

Can we use engine oils rated for both petrol and diesel engines such as api sg / cf4 in our bikes .

[devils_friend]

Re: Engine Oils

Can we use engine oils rated for both petrol and diesel engines such as api sg / cf4 in our bikes .

Engine oils that have two API Specs are those oils which can be used in Car's (petrol/diesel) as well as in commercial vehicles. The same should not be used in bikes. Bike oils will always have a API Spec + JASO MA/MA2 credentials. This helps in differentiating a motocycle engine oil versus a car engine oil.

The one you are referring to is mostly for Maruti 800 car.

Cheerz!!

[Pinaki]

Re: Engine Oils

A small addition to that - even API specification is not necessary for motorcyle oil , since API has no distinct category for motorcycles . JASO does , and so JASO MA certification is desirable and sufficient for our uses .
Also do not rule out general automobile class oils ( sg / cf etc ) for motorcycle use altogether . Unless it contains anti-friction or other additives which may interfere with the operation of motorcycle engine's wet clutch and transmission , many of them are just fine for use . Many people are using the diesel rated oils in particular with great success . But as you know harish'jee , you have to try such things responsibly at your own discrection .

[muztariq]

Re: Engine Oils

To add to it - Just read 4T etc on the label. Sometimes pure english is better than knowledge. Motul 300V is both for cars and motorcycles.. it did not had any JASO spec until recently but still the bike oil was a bike oil!! Read the Macro print first then turn the bottle and read the micro!! ;-)

[harish_gkumar]

Re: Engine Oils

Thanks all. I have heard that even though we drain the engine oil completely a small amount of oil will remain ( about 100-200 ml)in the cranckcase.So when we fill the engine oil do we have to follow the amount given in the manual such as 1 ltr. And if we fill 1 litre,the quantity will be more than 1 litre right? . will it harm the engine?. In my friend's Yamaha Gladiator he used to fill 900 ml instead of 1 litre and the dipstick reading showed in b/w upper and lower limit.

[Pinaki]

Re: Engine Oils

Rely on the dipstick reading only . With bike placed on level ground in mainstand inbetween the max-min marks is the correct level . Check oil level in a day or two after a new fill , ten minutes after a ride , again with bike on mainstand on level ground . Top up a bit if necessary to maintain the dipstick read level .

[sinnerz2000]

Re: Engine Oils

Thanks all. I have heard that even though we drain the engine oil completely a small amount of oil will remain ( about 100-200 ml)in the cranckcase.So when we fill the engine oil do we have to follow the amount given in the manual such as 1 ltr. And if we fill 1 litre,the quantity will be more than 1 litre right? . will it harm the engine?. In my friend's Yamaha Gladiator he used to fill 900 ml instead of 1 litre and the dipstick reading showed in b/w upper and lower limit.

Generally bikes oil capacity is 200-300ml above 1L so whenever you drain the oil you're draining that 1L, so refil with the same amount.

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[sinnerz2000]

Re: Engine Oils

Perhaps you got confused as to the ash value of an engine oil as opposed to really *deposits* being mentioned. Go through it again, and you'll find your mistake.

Cheers!
VJ

What is ash then?

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[harish_gkumar]

Re: Engine Oils

Rely on the dipstick reading only . With bike placed on level ground in mainstand inbetween the max-min marks is the correct level . Check oil level in a day or two after a new fill , ten minutes after a ride , again with bike on mainstand on level ground . Top up a bit if necessary to maintain the dipstick read level .

This pic is the oil measurement procedure of my bike ( owners manual).Its states that dip stick should rest on the threads on the filler hole. Previously what i did was completely tight the dip stick and take the reading. After i heard from pinkai jee i went through the manual for engine oil level checking procedure. So by fully tightening the dip stick was i getting false reading ?

[devils_friend]

Re: Engine Oils

What is ash then?

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Ash is the by product of combustion which mixes with the oil if there is any issue in the cylinder block. If the oi has more content of Ash in it, oils performance reduces to a great extent.

Cheerz!!

[amitmalve]

Re: Engine Oils

Why are oils with API SL specifications expensive than the API SM ones. Which one is better for use in honda bikes like unicorn.

[muztariq]

Re: Engine Oils

What is ash then?

Sent from my F8 using Tapatalk 4

Ash is the by product of combustion which mixes with the oil if there is any issue in the cylinder block. If the oi has more content of Ash in it, oils performance reduces to a great extent.

Cheerz!!

No, ash content test is performed on new oils to see what all metallic additives it has. Its is 1.2% or 1.4% usually. The oil which has more ash content would be having having more mettalic compounds and would therby contribute more to pollution. API JASO limits the ash content of oils just for this reason.

To remember, just image if you charr any hydrocarbon (like oil) what would remain. For every 100 gm of sample if 1.2 g ash is obtained it passes the 1.2% limit or else not. There are other ways of testing like chemical reaction with sulfur and then testing, this is known as sulphated ash. But it is out of scope of this discussion.

Why are oils with API SL specifications expensive than the API SM ones. Which one is better for use in honda bikes like unicorn.

It depends, API Spec of the oil has no relation with price, usually API SN are the costliest though, may be because its essentially FS! There is also marketing involved. Some companies write meets xyz test of API SM. Oil is API SJ, but it meets xyz of API SM!! be careful with these terms.
[MENTION=39214]B7ACKTHORN[/MENTION] - Thanks for the correction

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Engine Oils

cost of the oil has no relation with price...

Made me go topsy turvy though.

Cheers!
VJ

[Pinaki]

Re: Engine Oils

... Previously what i did was completely tight the dip stick and take the reading. After i heard from pinkai jee i went through the manual for engine oil level checking procedure. So by fully tightening the dip stick was i getting false reading ? ..

Yes , that is a serious mistake - you shall be riding with very low oil level with that one . You clean off the dipstick with a clean cloth after taking it out , then dip it back into that hole untill it comes to rest on the threads , without screwing it in . Then you may withdraw it again and check the level upto which it has been wetted in the oil . Second serious mistake is that you mis-spelled my name .

[amitmalve]

Re: Engine Oils

It depends, API Spec of the oil has no relation with price, usually API SN are the costliest though, may be because its essentially FS! There is also marketing involved. Some companies write meets xyz test of API SM. Oil is API SJ, but it meets xyz of API SM!! be careful with these terms.

Okies........but then what is the difference between API SL & SM. I just did some Google search on this but I came across very detailed & complicated articles.
I would be glad if someone gives a small/brief explanation on this in simple terms.