Oil consumption

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Offline asis

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Oil consumption
« on: February 19, 2017, 05:19:16 PM »
1500+ miles last year on my KLR and other than one oil change, I never added more than one quart all year. Before our ride yesterday 2-18 I checked and added a bit of the usual 20/50 Castrol. I clocked 140 miles and did ride her a bit hard including 20 or so miles at 60 to 80 mph. Went out today for a short sprint and get gas, checked the il and could not get it to show. Took it out 6 blocks to Oriely's got a quart and it took the entire quart  ??? Capacity is 2.5 qts. I run MMO also in the oil and premium non ethanol gas. Kinda curious if maybe just sitting all winter and first ride or????

Any ideas?
05' KLR 650
18' KLX 250

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Offline Roger Nixon

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Re: Oil consumption
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2017, 11:57:24 AM »
Just the obvious.  Check carefully for leaks.  If it isn't leaking, you can pull the spark plug(s) and see if there is oil on them.  If that is the case you would have to determine if oil is blowing past the rings or the valve stem guides are worn.

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Offline Derek

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Re: Oil consumption
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2017, 12:10:08 PM »
How many miles are on your bike? I think it's fairly normal for Kaehlers to use a little bit of oil, and I know higher RPM running makes it even a little bit easier to lose oil in thumpers. If the bike isn't smoking or leaking anything obviously, I would just get the oil back up to the recommended level and keep a closer eye on it, check it more frequently, and so on. I have had some thumpers lose oil out the crank breathers on extended high rpm runs
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Offline Savage

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Re: Oil consumption
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2017, 01:03:19 PM »
Mine hasn't used any but I never work it very hard.  I've had single and twin cylinder engines use oil when keeping them opened up for quite awhile at high rpm's.  I could be wrong, but doesn't the manual call for 10W-40? 
I would run it like you normally do and see if the level drops any again.
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Offline asis

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Re: Oil consumption
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2017, 01:23:03 PM »
It does call for 10-40 and I should be able to get kawa oil through work. We are a Kawasaki engine dealer and service. I just have always ran a good quality 20-50 and never had issues.
There is not a drop or sign any where of a leak and I haven't noticed it smoking any.
The last 15 miles home it ran fairly hard, 65-80 mph 4-5krpm, first time I ran it that hard for that long, hoping its just a fluke but will be taking a quart with me in the future.
05' KLR 650
18' KLX 250

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Offline Savage

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Re: Oil consumption
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2017, 10:00:03 PM »
How many miles?
Husqvarna TE250, KTM 250 XCFW, Kawasaki KLX300, Honda XR250R, Suzuki RM125, GasGas 280 TXT Pro, KX 85, CRF 80, CRF 70

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Offline asis

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Re: Oil consumption
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2017, 07:44:05 AM »
140 miles for the day and my odometer is about 14.5k.
05' KLR 650
18' KLX 250

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Offline Savage

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Re: Oil consumption
« Reply #7 on: February 21, 2017, 08:17:54 PM »
So relatively low miles.  Odd.
Husqvarna TE250, KTM 250 XCFW, Kawasaki KLX300, Honda XR250R, Suzuki RM125, GasGas 280 TXT Pro, KX 85, CRF 80, CRF 70

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Offline asis

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Re: Oil consumption
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2017, 09:40:36 PM »
Ya still no signs of any leaks and it looks awful dirty in my sight window. I have oil and filter coming so just gonna watch it.

Actually, until Greg shows up to defend himself, I am gonna blame it on him. Just happy a beast like that, and his bike lets me catch up now and then
05' KLR 650
18' KLX 250

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Offline Nick Bright

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Re: Oil consumption
« Reply #9 on: March 12, 2017, 05:52:03 PM »
I've read many articles/posts about the 2007+ KLR650 using lots of oil, might be normal.

At the end of the year after I bought my used '03 KLR I was going through a lot of oil... found out my air filter was ruined and i'd been sucking dirt into the cylindar all season! My own fault for not inspecting it properly when I bought it.

This resulted in a 692cc rebuild two winters ago. I bought almost everything from Eagle Mike, and the rebuild wasn't that hard to do if you have the time, garage space, and spend about $300 on tools (assuming you have NO tools and NO shop at all - that's about what I spent, including buying a workbench and every tool I needed).

Moral of the story: Check your air filter regularly!
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