This is my first DS650 and I have a question about the bleeder screw located in the oil filter housing. When do you use it? The manual says to drain the oil, change the filter, fill the oil, and ride. If the light comes on then bleed the system. At $10 a quart for oil, no way. What is the proper procedure? Also, since so many have modified engines, what kind of oil do you run? Bombardier oil is pricey.

 

I have changed my oil three times and have not had to touch the bleeder screw. Just drain it,change the filter, and fill it up.

 

My understanding is the only one that needs to bleed is the 2000. They just haven't changed the manual. Having said that, I bleed mine everytime. I can say, never have had air come out it.

I run Castrol. Less expensive and works well.

I did pick up an extra filter cover gasket just in case I accidentally pinch it when I am putting the filter back in. I would rather have one ready for me and it wasn't expensive.

Do a search on oil changes and others have posted some good ideas for draining / clean-up / etc.

 

Also some synthetic and semi synthetic oils can make your clutch slip unless you change your clutch springs. I use regular spectro 4 non synthetic in my quad.

 

I myself started using the Bomber oil too. Yes it is extremely expensive. Last oil change I switched to Amsoil 4-stroke synthetic. I've ridden twice since then and have had no problems!!!

I've never had a need to mess with the bleeder screw either. Plus it isn't very easy to get out, believe me I tried!!

 

I bleed the system at every oil change. It only takes a couple more minutes and it ensures no air is trapped. Personally, I bleed it untill the clean, fresh oil starts flowing out.

It's critical to bleed the system if your motor has sat without oil for an extended time, your motor has been torn down and re-built, or your oil has been contaminated with water or anything else.

I use Hondaline HP4 oil, 10W40, and swear by it. I just tore my motor down completly to change some shift forks and can tell you that all bearing surfaces look almost new. That's after 6 months on the motor in stock form and then 1.5 years of it being hammered as a 760. Loads of strangers hammering on it [since it wasn't theres] magazine riders trying to break it [crashed it three times trying] and too many dyno runs to count. I'm sure there are other oils that can do the same thing, but I've seen how this oil keep a motor safe. I found the same results in my motorcyle when I raced it.

 

I use HP4 too.
The '01 bikes and later have a vent tube teed into the oil supply line at the fitting where it enters the motor, and this goes back to the tank, allowing the line to prime itself. The'00 models do not, making it necesary for bleeding, even in the event of a rollover if the bike sits upside down long enough for air to get into the oil supply line.
In the unlikely event that your bike ever needs blead, you can do it without draining the oil. Just make sure you use a flat tip bit that actually fits the slot correctly, rather than tearing up the slot so it can never be removed, like has happened so many times.

 

Thanks for the help. This forum is great!!! It gave me the info to choose a Baja, which I'm extremely happy with; and I appreciate everybody's time spent in answering my questions. I felt kind of stupid asking it, but my dealer is so new, he doesn't always have the answers. I figure experience is worth a lot more than book knowledge.

 

well wen i changed my oil i never did that, and the light never came on or anything, and its ran fine since

 

you only have to bleed it if the red light stays on after you start it up.