Engine oil at Walmart

[RavenX]

I searched this forum and found most of my questions except a few.  But anyways, I have a 2004 gs500f bike that I just got a few months ago. Haven't rode it yet becuase of the weather.  Anways it has 1970 miles on it and Im going to change the air filter and oil. 

Should I also change the oil filter?  So for my main questions, I was at walmart this morning and saw a certain type of oil that I might buy but wanted to ask you guys if its okay to use in my bike.  Its called Accel sae 10w-40 sf quality motor oil.  I think it was like 80 cents a qt.  Any feedback, much appreciated.

[natedawg120]

I always replace the filter and the gasket everytime i change my oil.  The fram part number for that filter is CH6000 and it comes with the filter and gasket for something around four dollars or less.  My local auto parts store carries it so i don't have to go to the stealership that will have you buy both the filter and the gasket seperatly .  Just call around to the local stores and give them that fram number and they can tell you if they have it and how much it is.

EDIT: As for that particular oil I can't say much other than if it meets the requirements to pass the tests it is probably alright.  I only use Castrol Full synthetic in my bike. 

[Egaeus]

Absolute minimum for the older bikes is that it meets API standard SG or later (SH to SJ) and is 10W40.  Your bike may require something more recent.  That oil apparently doesn't (SF), so I wouldn't use it. 

Fram filters are cheap for a reason.  Just about any oil filter is better than Fram because Fram makes theirs with paper endcaps, which have been known to disintegrate and clog up the oil holes in the engine. 

I bought a Wix filter for my bike.  It came with a gasket.  However, I am not impressed with the Wix filter I put on my truck.  The oil is significantly dirtier than with a Mobil 1 filter at the same mileage.  I will probably try to find a Mobil 1 filter for my bike if it exists. 

I use AMSOIL full synthetic oil. 

The best investment you can make in an engine is a good oil and a good oil filter.  Don't skimp over a few dollars.  You just paid a few thousand for a luxury item.  What's a few bucks for good oil and a good filter?

[scratch]

Are you using Chevron gas?  The Techron in Chevron gas burns off the carbon deposites in the combustion chamber which end up in the oil, it doesn't hurt the oil, it just makes the oil black (they are the most minute particles, and are suspended anyway). 

[Cal Amari]

Since you've never changed the oil on your GS before, you should be aware that MANY people strip the bolts on the oil filter cover by overtightening, which is easily avoided.

When you change the oil, use a heavy grease to hold the new gasket in position on the filter cover. The grease will help to hold the gasket in position while you tighten the acorn nuts. Make them SNUG, slightly more than finger-tight (try 1/4 turn more with a nutdriver or something similar), which is all the pressure required. The gasket is designed to prevent oil leaks; overtightening the filter cover will only bring you grief. There have been DOZENS of posts about this problem; you've been forewarned, which means you should now be prepared to do this properly.

If you want to read some gory details, start here:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=10612.0

You should read the Oil Change How-To before you touch your GS:

http://www.gstwin.com/oil_change.htm

Good luck; let us know if you run into problems...

[Egaeus]

scratch,

I use whatever gas is cheapest, but usually stick with a local station that I like.  It's not a name-brand station.  I'm not loyal to any particular brand, I figure that the gas stays in my truck much longer than it could possibly stay in the tank, even the off-brand stations, and they just rebuilt their pumps and tanks so I know they're clean.  I don't think that is the issue.  

[natedawg120]

/
Fram filters are cheap for a reason.  Just about any oil filter is better than Fram because Fram makes theirs with paper endcaps, which have been known to disintegrate and clog up the oil holes in the engine. 
/

The filters that I have been getting do not have paper endcaps.  They are a paper filter but have metal endcaps and a metal core.  I have been using fram forever and never had a problem with the. 

I miss read the actualy rating on that oil.  Yeah that is not good.  But the bike only takes like 3 qts so even an oil change with expensive oil isn't going to be all that bad.

[Egaeus]

/
Fram filters are cheap for a reason.  Just about any oil filter is better than Fram because Fram makes theirs with paper endcaps, which have been known to disintegrate and clog up the oil holes in the engine. 
/

The filters that I have been getting do not have paper endcaps.  They are a paper filter but have metal endcaps and a metal core.  I have been using fram forever and never had a problem with the. 

I miss read the actualy rating on that oil.  Yeah that is not good.  But the bike only takes like 3 qts so even an oil change with expensive oil isn't going to be all that bad.

It might just be their spin-on filters that have the paper endcaps.  They wouldn't want to put them where people could see them! 

[Jeff P]

A better Walmart oil choice would be to get a bit 4 or 5 quart jug of Shell Rotella, either the 15W-40 or the synthetic 5W-40.  You'll need 3 quarts when you do the oil change, the rest for topping off between then and when you do the next change   

There is no need to use an expensive motorcycle-specific oil. 

Fram, Hi-Flow, Suzuki, I don't think it matters what filter you use.  They all oughta work the same. 

jeff

[annguyen1981]

I would rather not buy automotive stuff at Walmart because of this:

[Egaeus]

Wow, An, you're much older and paler than I would have suspected.  Did that bag chafe? 

[annguyen1981]

My only complaint was the swamp-ass feeling, but a Tampon shoved up there fixed that right up

[coll0412]

Oh no another oil thread...

As far as my two cents...put what ever is cheap(as long as there is and API seal) oil in there and change it regularly, remeber our motor was designed in the seventies. And back then they would just grind up the dinosoars and stick them in the crankcase.

[Cal Amari]

scratch,

I use whatever gas is cheapest, but usually stick with a local station that I like.  It's not a name-brand station.  I'm not loyal to any particular brand, I figure that the gas stays in my truck much longer than it could possibly stay in the tank, even the off-brand stations, and they just rebuilt their pumps and tanks so I know they're clean.  I don't think that is the issue. 

I think the point was that high-detergent gasolines (like Chevron with Techron) will actually clean the carbon off the tops of your pistons and spark plugs (my plugs are nice and clean), and that the black (carbon) crud from your engine will become suspended in the oil, making it LOOK dirtier than it actually is. IOW, it might look just as dirty with ANY filter, including a Mobil filter, if you're using a high-detergent gasoline, regardless of the brand name.

Another thing to keep in mind is that most "off-brand" blends of gasoline come from the big oil brands; I've seen the local Mom-and-Pop stations getting filled from different trucks interchangeably. One week, the Exxon truck is there, the next time I go by, I see a Mobil truck, then a BP truck, and so on. Most independent stations sell whatever gasoline they can get a deal on, without regard for the name on the tanker truck.

[Egaeus]

I think the point was that high-detergent gasolines (like Chevron with Techron) will actually clean the carbon off the tops of your pistons and spark plugs (my plugs are nice and clean), and that the black (carbon) crud from your engine will become suspended in the oil, making it LOOK dirtier than it actually is. IOW, it might look just as dirty with ANY filter, including a Mobil filter, if you're using a high-detergent gasoline, regardless of the brand name.

Another thing to keep in mind is that most "off-brand" blends of gasoline come from the big oil brands; I've seen the local Mom-and-Pop stations getting filled from different trucks interchangeably. One week, the Exxon truck is there, the next time I go by, I see a Mobil truck, then a BP truck, and so on. Most independent stations sell whatever gasoline they can get a deal on, without regard for the name on the tanker truck.

Yes, I understood, but seeing as I almost always get gas from the small stores, statistically I shouldn't be getting a different mix than normal.  However, my oil is dirtier than normal. 

One possibility is that I just switched to AMSOIL, as well as putting on the Wix filter, so it might be loosening up deposits left by the Valvoline SynPower. 

[GeeP]

Look in the manual under "maintenance and lubrication".  It will give an API (American Petroleum Institute) specification.  Something like "SF" of "SJ". 

Buy the cheapest oil that meets that specification.  Period.  The rest is all marketing.  You have to have a reason to sell $15 a quart motor oil and $5 a gallon gasoline.   

BTW:  API specifications supercede in alphabetical order.  Service SJ is acceptable for use wherever service SA thru SI was specified.