Using oil

tomrtrd · 12-12-2018, 07:13 PM

Hi everybody, I have a 2012 Voyager with 24,000 miles and it's using oil . I have it at the Kawasaki dealer right now because it's still under warranty.
I bought it last March with 20,000 miles . When I got it it had fresh oil in it, I doubt the dealer would have put synthetic oil in it but after 2,000 miles I was down a quart, 1,000 miles after that another quart. After that I changed the oil and I put in Mobile 1 synthetic 10w40 motorcycle oil . About 750 miles I'm down another quart. The Dealer is blaming the synthetic oil for the problem. I haven't read anything about burning oil with synthetic anywhere on these bikes.
I live in New England and when it started getting cold the bike would tick very loud after it sat overnight. No matter how long I let it idle it would tick for at least 15 minutes of very light riding. The ticking, the Dealer says is normal for this engine.
I've read that these engines do tick but i don't know to what extent. The oil burning, I haven't heard of on this bike. Any ideas?

redjay · 12-13-2018, 07:05 AM

The ticking is probably a hydraulic lifter that has bled down overnight.
The oil usage is excessive regardless of what oil you are using.
I never had to add oil between oil changes on my Voyager, or my Nomad.

**plumber63** · 12-13-2018, 08:37 AM

My 2006 Nomad uses oil at the same rate. That part of the reason I bought my 2015 Voyager. I haven't had it long enough to see if it uses oil. I only put @ 3000 miles on it before winter hit. But so far so good.
This is the first 1700 I have read about that was using oil. The lifter tick after setting especially when cold seem to be a normal quirk of these motors.

On my 1600 doesn't matter what type or brand of oil it used/burnt about 1-quart every thousand miles. Did a little better if I kept it under 60 mph. It probably need a ring job, and not sure if its worth it to me to do it. Only 43,000 miles on it.

Hope the Dealer gets it sorted out and fixed. At least it's under warranty.

tomrtrd · 12-13-2018, 07:35 PM

The dealer keeps saying its the oil, he is going to put there oil in it but there is not a lot of riding days until spring and if that oil goes down then I dont have the bike all spring .

seawolf · 12-13-2018, 09:13 PM

Hey guys...I had the 2007 nomad, after I put V&H pipes and K&N air filter the oil consumption went up big time. Was told the those motors like back pressure as otherwise the valve stems will leak oil. There was no blue smoke from exhaust. Sounded reasonable reason to me. Traded it in on my 2013 Voyager which has OEM pipes and never uses oil.
That's my story 😂

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Hillhouse · 12-18-2018, 11:51 AM

tomrtrd I also have a 2012 with just shy of 100,000 miles on the clock. Run it hard, pull trailer, ride 2 up, change oil at 5k and haven't every had an issue with oil usage.

I find the ticking increases when temp drop but goes away once motor is warm.

I understand about needing to deal with the dealer on this since it's a warranty issue. I just needed my rear shock done under the extended warranty, 2 week later it was done and rear disc was still covered in oil. I even pulled the bags to make it easier for them. Getting quality safe repairs is becomming harder at the dealers around me.

Keep on the dealer and might want to ask them why a synthetic oil that equals or is better than kawasaki recommendations disappears, with documentation not I guess.

tomrtrd · 12-18-2018, 05:13 PM

Thank you very much hillhouse , thats what im going to do .
I get stressed out when things dont go right and I cant think of what to say.

mbarr10 · 12-20-2018, 07:45 PM

Really dumb question here. DO NOT be offended.

When you check your oil are you always consistent on how you check it? Run till warm, and sit 5 minutes off, then on a level surface with bike level / upright. Or always on its side stand knowing the dip stick will measure differently. Reason I ask is the oil is going somewhere if it is missing. No drips on the pavement running and or parked. No blue smoke or any smoke?? Look in the air cleaner for a substantial amount of oil?

So I was thinking if you do not let it sit for awhile the 2 chambers do not equalize the oil level. Then you would be getting a false reading.

mike07nad · 12-21-2018, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbarr10

Really dumb question here. DO NOT be offended.

When you check your oil are you always consistent on how you check it? Run till warm, and sit 5 minutes off, then on a level surface with bike level / upright. Or always on its side stand knowing the dip stick will measure differently. Reason I ask is the oil is going somewhere if it is missing. No drips on the pavement running and or parked. No blue smoke or any smoke?? Look in the air cleaner for a substantial amount of oil?

So I was thinking if you do not let it sit for awhile the 2 chambers do not equalize the oil level. Then you would be getting a false reading.

I was gonna ask "Can you describe how you check your Oil and Did you read how to check your oil in the owners manual" Just pulling the Dip Stick don't do it on the 1700 Vulcans.

mike07nad · 12-21-2018, 12:41 PM

Not to get into an "Which Oil is Best" I will tell you than in my 100,000 miles of Voyagerdom I have tried several different brands. Some are quiet, some are louder, Some shift better. But one thing I have always done - Change the filter and Put in the amount listed in the manual for a filter change. 4.5 Qt's. Run it between 5 and 7,000 miles. The good thing with the 1700 engine is that with the Dual Sump oil system having the oil pumping around in there is less important on having an EXACT oil level. If there is Oil in it, it pumps around and lubricates the engine. I will also say, I had a ticking for about a year and half that I tried to blame on the lifters. When it was cold it ticked and once it got hot it went away. (or maybe reversed). Anyway - I finally found that the little rubber gasket around the left air cleaner had fallen off while at the dealer and the air cleaner cover was expanding and contracting just enough to cause a rattle. Good luck - Remember to Ivanize if your bike has not already been reflashed. It will give you a new bike.

tomrtrd · 12-21-2018, 05:17 PM

I always warmed the bike up than waited 5 or 10 minutes. The amount of oil I put in, it would be overflowing if it was still in there.

**smokier** · 12-22-2018, 06:51 AM

TomrTRD, (Toyota?),

Am I understanding correctly: No signs of oil under the bike and no blue smoke when riding?
How much oil is "The amount of oil I put in, it would be overflowing if it was still in there" ?
If you look at the joints on the exhaust or at the tail of the exhaust, any oily residue?

The good news is it's under warranty, so if there is a problem, you should come out alright.

I too get ticking when the bikes are cold, the colder the worse the ticking. This goes away after a few minutes. Presumably after the oil has warmed up and is flowing into the lifters.

Have had three 1700's, two are still in the garage. None used oil between changes. 68k miles, 41k miles and 34k miles.

Keep us posted on what is discovered. Understood, it is a long time between now and spring.

mbarr10 · 12-22-2018, 09:49 AM

Tomrtrd If the Dealer starts with blaming oil type you maybe in for a long haul. Now you are at their mercy and must do ( most likely run another 3,000 miles) with an oil they recommend as they trouble shoot( drag their feet) in the repair process. Be diligent and get it fixed. I would recommend Staying away from Ivanizing till it is solved. No, it will not/should not void a warrantee but will give them excuses..... Hang In there

mbarr10 · 12-22-2018, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Gads your starting to sound like me.

tomrtrd · 12-22-2018, 05:40 PM

Thats what im worried about, I already had it Ivanized. I taled to them before i had Ivan remap it and they said it was okay.

12-12-2018, 07:13 PM	#1
tomrtrd Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 50	Using oil Hi everybody, I have a 2012 Voyager with 24,000 miles and it's using oil . I have it at the Kawasaki dealer right now because it's still under warranty. I bought it last March with 20,000 miles . When I got it it had fresh oil in it, I doubt the dealer would have put synthetic oil in it but after 2,000 miles I was down a quart, 1,000 miles after that another quart. After that I changed the oil and I put in Mobile 1 synthetic 10w40 motorcycle oil . About 750 miles I'm down another quart. The Dealer is blaming the synthetic oil for the problem. I haven't read anything about burning oil with synthetic anywhere on these bikes. I live in New England and when it started getting cold the bike would tick very loud after it sat overnight. No matter how long I let it idle it would tick for at least 15 minutes of very light riding. The ticking, the Dealer says is normal for this engine. I've read that these engines do tick but i don't know to what extent. The oil burning, I haven't heard of on this bike. Any ideas? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

12-13-2018, 08:37 AM	#3
plumber63 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 985	My 2006 Nomad uses oil at the same rate. That part of the reason I bought my 2015 Voyager. I haven't had it long enough to see if it uses oil. I only put @ 3000 miles on it before winter hit. But so far so good. This is the first 1700 I have read about that was using oil. The lifter tick after setting especially when cold seem to be a normal quirk of these motors. On my 1600 doesn't matter what type or brand of oil it used/burnt about 1-quart every thousand miles. Did a little better if I kept it under 60 mph. It probably need a ring job, and not sure if its worth it to me to do it. Only 43,000 miles on it. Hope the Dealer gets it sorted out and fixed. At least it's under warranty. __________________ Troy Donat VBA #02401 2015 Voyager 2006 1600 Nomad black(sold) 2016 Salem, Antlers, 2017 Eureka Springs, Lake George, Antlers 2018 Custer NR, Antlers
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12-13-2018, 09:13 PM	#5
seawolf Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Stony Plain, Alberta Posts: 153	Hey guys...I had the 2007 nomad, after I put V&H pipes and K&N air filter the oil consumption went up big time. Was told the those motors like back pressure as otherwise the valve stems will leak oil. There was no blue smoke from exhaust. Sounded reasonable reason to me. Traded it in on my 2013 Voyager which has OEM pipes and never uses oil. That's my story 😂 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD __________________ John 1964 305 super hawk 1985 500 Shawdow 2006 900 Kawa Classic 2007 1600 Nomad 2013 Voyager Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

12-18-2018, 11:51 AM	#6
Hillhouse Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Western MA Posts: 180	tomrtrd I also have a 2012 with just shy of 100,000 miles on the clock. Run it hard, pull trailer, ride 2 up, change oil at 5k and haven't every had an issue with oil usage. I find the ticking increases when temp drop but goes away once motor is warm. I understand about needing to deal with the dealer on this since it's a warranty issue. I just needed my rear shock done under the extended warranty, 2 week later it was done and rear disc was still covered in oil. I even pulled the bags to make it easier for them. Getting quality safe repairs is becomming harder at the dealers around me. Keep on the dealer and might want to ask them why a synthetic oil that equals or is better than kawasaki recommendations disappears, with documentation not I guess. __________________ Present rides 1983 Honda Shadow VT750 - Harley Killer 2005 Yamahe V-Star - Yarley 2012 Kawasaki Voyager - Weeping Angel http://tourofhonor.com/ #97 (2019) #128 (2018) #8 (2017) #458 (2016) IBA #50918 VBA #2296
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12-20-2018, 07:45 PM	#8
mbarr10 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,562	Really dumb question here. DO NOT be offended. When you check your oil are you always consistent on how you check it? Run till warm, and sit 5 minutes off, then on a level surface with bike level / upright. Or always on its side stand knowing the dip stick will measure differently. Reason I ask is the oil is going somewhere if it is missing. No drips on the pavement running and or parked. No blue smoke or any smoke?? Look in the air cleaner for a substantial amount of oil? So I was thinking if you do not let it sit for awhile the 2 chambers do not equalize the oil level. Then you would be getting a false reading. __________________ Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles
	0

12-13-2018, 07:05 AM	#2
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,936	The ticking is probably a hydraulic lifter that has bled down overnight. The oil usage is excessive regardless of what oil you are using. I never had to add oil between oil changes on my Voyager, or my Nomad.
	0

12-13-2018, 07:35 PM	#4
tomrtrd Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 50	The dealer keeps saying its the oil, he is going to put there oil in it but there is not a lot of riding days until spring and if that oil goes down then I dont have the bike all spring .
	0

12-18-2018, 05:13 PM	#7
tomrtrd Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 50	Thank you very much hillhouse , thats what im going to do . I get stressed out when things dont go right and I cant think of what to say.
	0

12-21-2018, 12:41 PM	#10
mike07nad Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Palmyra, Pa - Near Hershey Posts: 426	Not to get into an "Which Oil is Best" I will tell you than in my 100,000 miles of Voyagerdom I have tried several different brands. Some are quiet, some are louder, Some shift better. But one thing I have always done - Change the filter and Put in the amount listed in the manual for a filter change. 4.5 Qt's. Run it between 5 and 7,000 miles. The good thing with the 1700 engine is that with the Dual Sump oil system having the oil pumping around in there is less important on having an EXACT oil level. If there is Oil in it, it pumps around and lubricates the engine. I will also say, I had a ticking for about a year and half that I tried to blame on the lifters. When it was cold it ticked and once it got hot it went away. (or maybe reversed). Anyway - I finally found that the little rubber gasket around the left air cleaner had fallen off while at the dealer and the air cleaner cover was expanding and contracting just enough to cause a rattle. Good luck - Remember to Ivanize if your bike has not already been reflashed. It will give you a new bike.
	0

12-21-2018, 05:17 PM	#11
tomrtrd Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 50	I always warmed the bike up than waited 5 or 10 minutes. The amount of oil I put in, it would be overflowing if it was still in there.
	0

12-22-2018, 06:51 AM	#12
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	TomrTRD, (Toyota?), Am I understanding correctly: No signs of oil under the bike and no blue smoke when riding? How much oil is "The amount of oil I put in, it would be overflowing if it was still in there" ? If you look at the joints on the exhaust or at the tail of the exhaust, any oily residue? The good news is it's under warranty, so if there is a problem, you should come out alright. I too get ticking when the bikes are cold, the colder the worse the ticking. This goes away after a few minutes. Presumably after the oil has warmed up and is flowing into the lifters. Have had three 1700's, two are still in the garage. None used oil between changes. 68k miles, 41k miles and 34k miles. Keep us posted on what is discovered. Understood, it is a long time between now and spring. __________________ You only get one, so "Make it the best day ever!" 2014 Victory Cross County Tour Blue Fire Gloss (BFG) "Cruella" Brides Ride: 2012 Victory Crossroads in Sunset Red "Ruby" Previous Vulcans: '15 Vaquero, '12 Vaquero, '10 1700 Nomad, '04 1500 Classic, '01 1500 Classic, '88 Vulcan 750 VROC # 10967 \| VBA # 3115
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12-22-2018, 09:49 AM	#13
mbarr10 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,562	Tomrtrd If the Dealer starts with blaming oil type you maybe in for a long haul. Now you are at their mercy and must do ( most likely run another 3,000 miles) with an oil they recommend as they trouble shoot( drag their feet) in the repair process. Be diligent and get it fixed. I would recommend Staying away from Ivanizing till it is solved. No, it will not/should not void a warrantee but will give them excuses..... Hang In there __________________ Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles
	0

12-22-2018, 05:40 PM	#15
tomrtrd Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 50	Thats what im worried about, I already had it Ivanized. I taled to them before i had Ivan remap it and they said it was okay.
	0