[Greenspeed]

Alright, so I brought the Ninja in today for the first service (1000 km).. :emot-bang: Anyways, after I picked up the bike and paid the hefty fee of $180 bucks, I took it out on my favorite run. I noticed it wasn't running like it was before I brought it in, it had some weird ticking noise to it now.. I took it home and decided to check the oil level... Sure enough it was completely filling the sight glass. I drained 24 ounces of oil out of it before it was down below the max fill line. I decided I was okay with where it was on the sight glass and took it out for a ride again, sure enough the ticking sound is still there. It seems to only happen in 3rd+ but it could be happening in 1st and 2nd just can't hear it because of the louder revs. I notice when I let off the throttle the ticking stops, and if I do some neutral revs it doesn't make the ticking sound. I thought it might be the chain so I cleaned it up and re greased it, but still a ticking sound.. Any ideas before I take it back to the dealer?

 

[MoFetti]

Bring the extra oil and take it back to the dealer.

 

[Greenspeed]

I plan on it, I bottled it up. Think it could have caused damage that quickly?

 

[Supersport]

They just flooded your engine with oil on a new bike. Remember it could be a mistake by a worker and may not be a clear reflection of the dealer as a whole. But you will still need some kind of compensation from the dealer in the form of free stuff and services. Since they did screw up, tell them to buy you the 4 year extended warranty as you don't know what kind of long term damage will incur from this flooding. Write a letter to kawasaki if they don't play nice.

I would actually try to get a new bike since this is a brand new bike that got jacked. You shouldn't have to live with this weird noise and who know what long term damage is associated with that ticking noise.

 

[travellingtenor]

Good luck with getting a new bike. I doubt that the dealer will even fess up to putting in too much oil.
I will never, ever, bring any of my bikes to a large dealer. I have a few independent motorcycle repair facilities that I trust that I take my bikes to if, and when, I need something taken care of that I cannot do. Working on motorcycles is not rocket science and almost anyone can do 75% of the maintenance work with a service manual and some common sense. The new mechanics get the grunt work like tires and oil and filter changes. I don't want someone straight out of school working on my bike. They can practice on another bike and I will do the work myself. Not only will it save me some money, it will give me valuable information on my bike should I get stuck out somewhere where I have to do the repair on my own.

 

[twistywrist]

Yeah, this is why I did the first service myself. The service tech at the dealer told me to always use 91 octane because of the "extra power" I'd get from it... Most of them are idiots and I don't trust them to touch my bike. They probably couldn't be bothered to take the time to let the oil settle after running the engine and just filled it to max while there was still a bunch of oil running through the passages and valvetrain, then when it all dripped down it was over the max line.

Make a fuss, demand a new bike or a free extended warranty, and if you don't get it, contact kawi and tell them the dealer's incompetence led to possibly permanent damage to your bike. Don't let them get away with that kind of laziness, it's a fcking oil change, if they screwed that up how can you expect them to do something like a valve adjustment or any real engine work??

 

[detroitninja]

My bike ticks and I don't think anything of it, I think some ticking is normal. I'd still go for the free extended warranty though.

 

[flamecrow]

Yeah, I did my own oil change at 200 miles and used about 2.7qt bottles. When I took it in for the 600 mile service they charged me $18 of oil ($4/qt)..meaning they used 4.5 quarts...oil in the glass was a little over half so I assume it was fine. I guess they "flush" it with oil too? no idea.

 

[twistywrist]

Yeah, I did my own oil change at 200 miles and used about 2.7qt bottles. When I took it in for the 600 mile service they charged me $18 of oil ($4/qt)..meaning they used 4.5 quarts...oil in the glass was a little over half so I assume it was fine. I guess they "flush" it with oil too? no idea.

I doubt they flush it with oil, are you sure it's only $4/qt? The kawi oil is more expensive than that I'm pretty sure.

 

[Greenspeed]

Yeah, I did my own oil change at 200 miles and used about 2.7qt bottles. When I took it in for the 600 mile service they charged me $18 of oil ($4/qt)..meaning they used 4.5 quarts...oil in the glass was a little over half so I assume it was fine. I guess they "flush" it with oil too? no idea.

Wowza, I paid $12.00 a quart for Synthetic.. It says he put in 3 Quartz, and the bike only takes 2.2 with oil filter on, and 2.4 with filter off. So he added .8 of a quart to much. I knew it wasn't right as soon as I looked at the sight glass and it was completely full. I drained 18 oz, and it was still over, 23-24 oz brought me just under the max fill line. I'm going down to the shop before I head in to work to talk to the manager. Hopefully it goes smoother than I see it going...
Wish me luck....

 

[twistywrist]

Wowza, I paid $12.00 a quart for Synthetic.. It says he put in 3 Quartz, and the bike only takes 2.2 with oil filter on, and 2.4 with filter off. So he added .8 of a quart to much. I knew it wasn't right as soon as I looked at the sight glass and it was completely full. I drained 18 oz, and it was still over, 23-24 oz brought me just under the max fill line. I'm going down to the shop before I head in to work to talk to the manager. Hopefully it goes smoother than I see it going...
Wish me luck....

Good luck man.

Btw, the stated oil capacity in the manual isn't 100% accurate...

When I changed my oil (both times, oil and filter), I used 2.7 liters (2.85qts) to get the oil EXACTLY to the halfway mark. My buddy even commented that I put the perfect amount of oil in when I had him double check the next day. For some reason some people need to put in more than others.

 

[Greenspeed]

Good luck man.

Btw, the stated oil capacity in the manual isn't 100% accurate...

When I changed my oil (both times, oil and filter), I used 2.7 liters (2.85qts) to get the oil EXACTLY to the halfway mark. My buddy even commented that I put the perfect amount of oil in when I had him double check the next day. For some reason some people need to put in more than others.

But the thing is, my sight glass was completely full, I even tried leaning it a little more to the kick stand side to see how far it would drop but it hardly moved until it got nearly right on the kick stand. So I started draining it slowly and had to drain quite a bit just to get it under the max fill line. I took it into the dealership today and talked to the mechanic who did the oil change and he said he only put in 2.- something liters into it, we checked the oil again and it was fine (since I drained out a L). He took the bike for a spin in the lot and down the road and said he couldn't hear the noise. He suggested it might be the chain, but said it wasn't loose or anything. Plus he says he greased it when it was in the shop, and I then took it home and not knowing that he greased it, I cleaned the chain and put on new wax. I'm using the Maxima Chain wax, what are peoples thoughts on that product? I'm kinda starting to lean with the mechanic as to it being the chain..:huh:

 

[twistywrist]

You're going to listen to the opinion of the mechanic who put one LITER too much oil in your bike? Who will get in trouble with his manager if he were responsible for damage? I'd question his motives ifI were you.

I use maxima chain wax and my chain doesn't make noise. Sit on the bike and have someone check to see if your chain is hitting the plastic (rubber?) chain guide on the swingarm. Does the ticking get louder/faster when you increase the engine speed (rpm) or vehicle speed?

 

[Raphael]

Why are you people even letting someone do your oil change? DO IT YOURSELF! It is not hard and there are plenty of videos on how to do it. You will save money and feel damn good afterwards. BOOO YA!

 

[MoFetti]

What I would be concerned about is the possibility of metal shavings running back through the motor with all of the oil he put in.

 

[twistywrist]

I would be concerned about blown (or weakened) seals due to the oil pressure being too high also... it's not permanent engine damage but still costly to pay for labor down the road. try to at least get them to extend the warranty on the seals that might fail prematurely because of the mechanic's mistake.

 

[J4R3D]

You are definitely entitled to receiving the extended warranty to cover any possible long term issues associated with this blatant mistake. I hope it is your chain making noise and not the engine. But they deserve to take responsibility. You went there and paid money for a professional job. You did not receive a professional job, a serious mistake was made. A mistake that could have potentially done serious long term damage to your engine. Did the mechanic pull the work order when you talked to him? Did he show you where he wrote down the quantity of oil he put in it and the person that signed off for the double check? If they cannot show you that do not be bullied you have the upper hand. Even if they can show you that then tell them they should have nothing to worry about by giving you an extended warranty. They OWE you. Kind of ranty but this makes me mad. Hope everything works out.

 

[Raphael]

Just remember being nice, but SERIOUS goes a long way than being a douche even if it wasn't your fault. good luck

 

[flamecrow]

I doubt they flush it with oil, are you sure it's only $4/qt? The kawi oil is more expensive than that I'm pretty sure.

Here's my 600 mile service receipt. I only have about 932 miles on my bike so I'm not full synthetic yet