Hi all,
After reading many posts I have decided to go with 20w-50 mineral oil for my very old and high mileage suzuki gs500. (1989, 85 000 KM). In store I was advised to get this CASTROL ACT>EVO 4T is a good choice ?
Another questions I have is about oil colour. After oil change was done I have driven around 1000 km, last 200km where during the first meeting with other bikers in my area, they all had bigger bikes so it was really hard for me to keep up with them.
This is the first time I took my gs up to 7-8k rpm range, few time even 9k. Today I had small oil leakage from oil filter cap, now its all fixed however I noticed that oil colour have become much darker.
Actually very dark compared to what it was before the 200 km trip the day before. Now its dark brown. So the question is, should I be worried or I am ok to drive another 2000 km? because I was planing to change oil every 3-4000 km due to it is mineral and it does not cost that much.
I can't speak for mineral oil specifically, but I'm a automotive lube tech so I've seen some stuff for oil. It'll get dark fast. Especially being a high mileage motor like you have, I'd bet it has some sludge inside it, which will change that fresh oil color FAST. Just because it's dark doesn't mean it's bad!
If you're really worried about it (or at your next oil change), go buy a can of SeaFoam. Add some to the oil, put the bike in neutral and let it idle for 5-10 minutes. That seafoam breaks down the sludge and cleans up the inside pretty well
The colour is fine, but if your bike is leaking from the oil filter cover you might have over-torqued the nuts a bit too much.
Quote from: mustangGT90210 on August 21, 2014, 06:57:23 PM
I can't speak for mineral oil specifically, but I'm a automotive lube tech so I've seen some stuff for oil. It'll get dark fast. Especially being a high mileage motor like you have, I'd bet it has some sludge inside it, which will change that fresh oil color FAST. Just because it's dark doesn't mean it's bad!
If you're really worried about it (or at your next oil change), go buy a can of SeaFoam. Add some to the oil, put the bike in neutral and let it idle for 5-10 minutes. That seafoam breaks down the sludge and cleans up the inside pretty well
Thanks, I will do it in the next oil change.
Quote from: RedMark on August 21, 2014, 07:45:17 PM
The colour is fine, but if your bike is leaking from the oil filter cover you might have over-torqued the nuts a bit too much.
Yes that was the case with one of them, but now its fixed and I learned my mistake.
What about CASTROL ACT>EVO 4T oil doest it mean gs500 API standards, it is from what I understand JASO MA-2, API SG.
Quote from: Bax on August 21, 2014, 11:00:10 PM
What about CASTROL ACT>EVO 4T oil doest it mean gs500 API standards, it is from what I understand JASO MA-2, API SG.
Now you've got me confused. I've been using Castrol Activ, which I understand to be an Indian formula/rebrand or something. LINK: http://www.castrol.com/en_in/india/products/motorcycle-and-scooters/engine-oils.html
But in America, it's different. LINK: http://www.castrol.com/en_us/united-states/products/motorcycles-and-scooters/engine-oils.html
I'm not sure about the specs, I'm hoping someone else will be kind enough to enlighten us, but on the website it claims to "exceed API SG". LINK: http://www.castrol.com/en_us/united-states/products/motorcycles-and-scooters/engine-oils/act-evo-product-page.html
Modern oils get dark quickly...this is normal..it indicates the oil is doing its job of keeping the engine clean...
Just change oil at the recommended intervals
Cookie
Quote from: Bax on August 21, 2014, 11:19:30 AM
Hi all,
After reading many posts I have decided to go with 20w-50 mineral oil for my very old and high mileage suzuki gs500. (1989, 85 000 KM). In store I was advised to get this CASTROL ACT>EVO 4T is a good choice ?
Another questions I have is about oil colour. After oil change was done I have driven around 1000 km, last 200km where during the first meeting with other bikers in my area, they all had bigger bikes so it was really hard for me to keep up with them.
This is the first time I took my gs up to 7-8k rpm range, few time even 9k. Today I had small oil leakage from oil filter cap, now its all fixed however I noticed that oil colour have become much darker.
Actually very dark compared to what it was before the 200 km trip the day before. Now its dark brown. So the question is, should I be worried or I am ok to drive another 2000 km? because I was planing to change oil every 3-4000 km due to it is mineral and it does not cost that much.