New oil change tip

[Dan02GS]

Tired of those routine oil changes and want to do something more for you beloved GS? Well here is a new tip, when you buy new oil include in your purchase some Marvel Mystery Oil. What it does is cleans out the built up gunk and vaneer your burning oil leaves in your engine.

Here is what I did, I loosened the the drain bolt and drained about a cup of old oil. Then I put about a cup of the mystery oil in to replace it, Mystery Oil does not lubricate so dont use too much, about  cup is just right.  Then proceede as you would by running the engine about 5 minutes to warm the oil, then drain. You should see that the oil is much darker than usual. Also you may get some water vapor from the exhaust weeping hole, that is normal water is a by product of combustion and it will go away quickly as the engine warms. I change mine every 3,000 miles using Motul 5100 10w/40.

If anyone else does this let me know, it is a cool little trick for the DIYer. 

[asobi]

Yeah, anyone else do this?

By the way: http://landing.turtlewax.com/sept2007/

you're welcome

edit:
I'm interested in anyone who can speak to the efficacy of this and other additives...

http://www.thegsresources.com/garage/gs_additive.htm

[El motociclista]

Dan,
Thanks so much for the great tip. Before I read this I was actually considering flushing out the engine with additional oil (i.e. changing the oil twice back to back essentially) The Marvel Mystery Oil  sounds much smarter and more economical.   

[GSRider]

I work in the oil industry, and I would like to point out that if you use a quality motor oil (Notice I didn't say synthetic) and keep up on top of your oil changes, you won't need additives/flushing. In reality, additives are a multi-million dollar a year business that only gives you mental piece of mind - very rarely does it actually do anything for you that you can see/feel.

Sure, synthetics are the way to go, but the price isn't for everyone.

I remember doing an engine flush on my GS a few years back. At the next oil change, the oil was much cleaner than usual, but then the oil change after that, well, it was just as black as I am normally used to seeing.

Some points to remember if you plan on flushing your motor:

- Don't flush it if you burn oil.
- Don't flush it if you leak oil.
- Use only a flush chemical that is approved for bikes. Not all of them are.
- Don't flush the motor every oil change.

asobi, great reference at the GSResources

[ATLRIDER]

You might also look into Auto-rx as it's supposed to flush your engine, stop leaks, etc..

I'm using it on my Volvo 960 with 178k on the clock to stop a rear main seal leak.  Hopefully it'll work as it's pricey.  Some folks swear by it.  We'll see.

http://www.auto-rx.com/cycle-rx/index.html

[GeeP]

Noooooooo!   A snake oil debate!

Pandy!  Save us, quickly!   

[GSRider]

You might also look into Auto-rx as it's supposed to flush your engine, stop leaks, etc..

I'm using it on my Volvo 960 with 178k on the clock to stop a rear main seal leak.  Hopefully it'll work as it's pricey.  Some folks swear by it.  We'll see.

http://www.auto-rx.com/cycle-rx/index.html

Mechanics in a bottle do not exist.

[Teek]

My family was in the automotive business for 40 years, my hubby still is, there's a reason they call it snake oil.

BTW, the name comes from old patent medicines from 100- 150 years ago. They were mostly alcohol, but a lot had cocaine and many others had questionable ingredients. They were selling hope, and you hoped that what was in the bottle didn't make you sicker or kill you.   

[p51mustang]

  The more I read OIL & ++AAAOIL, or SYNxx. Super motorcycle Oil use only? & the new to me is to (PER);A Suzuki Dealer is to But two (Q) moble1-10-40 & in non synth, & buy 1 moble1 with the all new synth,  That just came out a few years back??
It's now not funny for a first time Biker(newby) To Get screwed up It is a (Q) of They said he said is Better NOTE; From the 2002 Clymer manual $32.00 !. Chapter 3
page 67,(figure 21) Use only a high-Quality detergent motor oil with (API)rating of (SG) Now in (figuer21) says to use SAE 10-40 oil in all models & to use the same brand at
every oil change. The #21 shows a Suzuki brand proformance motor oil 4 Cycle motor oil  10-40?? YOU must look for the SG on the can of oil, Now the Honda- yam-suz-shop Tech said use only what the
Manual calls for  and on synth oil at all?? NOW back to th Clymer manual Chapter #1 page, the part on Engine oil. The grade of oil by the American Petroleum
Institute (API) Then you get into the Viscosity of oil on page #8 this can get DEEEP. can depend on were you live! winter&summer.. So hope the snake oil works for you.
The little Lucus oil thinge that is at the auto parts ! The one with the gears and a handle to turn and the syrup like oil? moves all over the gears? looks good to me
mustang.

[s4gs]

The only thing i add to my oil, is more oil.

Mystery Oil does not lubricate

There is no way i'm going to have a non lubricant go past my bearings.

if you use a quality motor oil (Notice I didn't say synthetic) and keep up on top of your oil changes, you won't need additives/flushing.

[ajaxgs]

The little Lucus oil thinge that is at the auto parts ! The one with the gears and a handle to turn and the syrup like oil? moves all over the gears?

dam i wish i had a quarter for every time some one touched that in our store !!!

[GSRider]

The more I read OIL & ++AAAOIL, or SYNxx. Super motorcycle Oil use only? & the new to me is to (PER);A Suzuki Dealer is to But two (Q) moble1-10-40 & in non synth, & buy 1 moble1 with the all new synth,  That just came out a few years back??
It's now not funny for a first time Biker(newby) To Get screwed up It is a (Q) of They said he said is Better NOTE; From the 2002 Clymer manual $32.00 !. Chapter 3
page 67,(figure 21) Use only a high-Quality detergent motor oil with (API)rating of (SG) Now in (figuer21) says to use SAE 10-40 oil in all models & to use the same brand at
every oil change. The #21 shows a Suzuki brand proformance motor oil 4 Cycle motor oil  10-40?? YOU must look for the SG on the can of oil, Now the Honda- yam-suz-shop Tech said use only what the
Manual calls for  and on synth oil at all?? NOW back to th Clymer manual Chapter #1 page, the part on Engine oil. The grade of oil by the American Petroleum
Institute (API) Then you get into the Viscosity of oil on page #8 this can get DEEEP. can depend on were you live! winter&summer.. So hope the snake oil works for you.
The little Lucus oil thinge that is at the auto parts ! The one with the gears and a handle to turn and the syrup like oil? moves all over the gears? looks good to me
mustang.

SG certified oil is just the standard of oil, and not the specific grading. Use 10w40, with an SG rating or higher. All oils are now at a SM certification, if my memory serves me. That is a good thing, because the ratings are certifying that the oil is better than the previous rating of SL, SK, etc...and they are backwards compatible as well.

As far as different grades depending on where you live, always try to go with the lowest viscosity that the motor will allow so that the oil will get to the top end as quickly as possible.

For instance, in the auto world, the new Hybrid Camrys for example, are clear to use 5w20 OR 0w20. Both are approved, but if you have the money for the 0w20 oil change, (Which, my friends, IS NOT cheap!!) you are doing your top end a big favor.

And don't give me that "It's a lease, I don't care" crap. You should care, because it's YOU, right now, that is filling the tank.

...anyways...

There is more to oil than just the grade of oil, and whether or not it's synthetic. Luckily enough, there are a bunch of governing bodies that worry about it, so we can all have endless debates of the types of oil to use.


Oh yeah, one more thing, Lucas oil stabilizer is a fantastic stabilizer...it's essentially a straight 50w oil that is designed to coat your internals for a long periods of storage time. I have not heard of anyone using it in thier bike, and I would be VERY apprehensive in using any additives whatsoever in a bike with a wet clutch.

[GSRider]

BTW - I know this one is a huge debate, but motorcycle specific oil is the best oil to put in your bike. It contains all the right additives for use with the application, including anti-shear properties, which are normally found in compression specific oils.

[The Antibody]

Thank you GSRider. I enjoy all of this info. I will just keep using my Amsoil Synthetic 10w-40. It makes me sleep at night.

  -Anti 

[bubba zanetti]

If any one is interested, I've got a magic rock that keeps tigers away, for $50 you can have it.