Hey, i just bought a 2001 400ex. It had about 3 L of oil in it. It was comming out of the oil tank on the front of the bike when it was running...Iwas woundering how much oil should i have in this bike? plese respond asap!!! thanks ryan


Thanks for the replys.

 

The 400ex hold's 1.7 quarts 4 - stroke oil 10w40 .................williebee

 

3L is way to much. If you over fill it, the excess pressure will blow the oil lines right off their fittings!!!! I have seen this happen. You will lose all your oil and burn up the engine if it happens while riding and you don't notice it.

What I do is fill the tank (takes a little less than 2L), then start it up for a few minutes. This will distribute the oil to the cranckase, oil filter, and oil cooler, so the level in the tank will go down to just below the bottom of the dipstick. Turn the engine off, then check the oil level and top it up to the proper height.

Never check your oil level on a cold engine! It will always read low. Always warm the engine up before checking the oil level.

A great article about oil: http://www.thumperfaq.com/oil.htm

 

Yea i just bought it last night and i checked the oil and it was right to the top. i drained it all out and out the right amount in, drove it all day today and it works really good.

 

The level does change some after running it a little, and even more so after running it a lot.

If you like just check it cold, and then run it a couple min until it warms up and see the difference.

Only time it will show lower after running is after a oil change (its filling up the crankcase, and lines etc) so be carefull here.

As noted above having too much oil can be as bad or worse than too little so take the time to check it right, and this engine will reward you in the long run.

 

I have been driving it all day yesterday and today, i got the oil problem under control, bike works wicked and it flys.

 

Good to hear, and I think you will enjoy it for some time to come.

Remember unless your a competitive racer where you have an honest need to be fully up to date or on top with the highest performance and tech etc this is a great machine to own, and up untill just a few years ago it was actually the one to own for most all racing types.

I know not everyone agrees with this (mostly due to brand loyalty) but a used 400ex is pretty much the best overall value for a sport atv period, and will do most everything you could want from a sport atv, and also leave you a ton of $$$$ left over compared to buying one of the newer 450's or insanely priced big bore util machines.

 

This bike will do all i need to do, homemade track and trail driving. I got a really good deal on it. Thatswhy i bought it.

 

 

You didn't mention draining the crankcase. Are you aware that there is a drain bolt on the left rear side of the engine for this purpose (besides the one at the bottom of the tank)???? What about the oil filter???

Doesn't sound much like you have an owner's manual. If not, get one and get a shop manual as well.......