Skinny Dipping [of the -Sticking Variety]

Meaning I need the skinny on it.

Yes, yes, yes, I have read the previous — I found five — posts on this issue; [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

And, yes, I know fuggitabouit; just empty the beasts, fill with (almost) enough oil as specified by service and owner manuals (which, bless Italians everywhere, likely differ, but whatever), and then measure to see if at optimal level, i.e., "between the hedges” as they say in Georgia Bulldogland. :-) And, adjust as required.

With my EV, I just assumed one screwed in said dipstick. I don’t remember the drill with the Ballabio, but when I got the Norge, I learned from gurus who post here and elsewhere that one did not screw the dipstick in, but, instead, rested the flat of the cap on the lip of the filler hole. OK, been doing that for years with the OEM POS plastic dipsticks and the TLM extension. All good, I supposed. Never blew up an engine. OK, actually, two, but I can explain!

So, I get the Stornello. The dealer — who, BTW, delivered the sweet little beast with an outdated map, but, heck, didn’t charge for prep — said screw it in to check. Uhm. OK.

Then, most recently, I removed the POS “lower lowers” on the Norge as the tupperware just became too much of a PITA. That made the TLM extension unnecessary. And, as in what it saved in ease of access when the lowers were in place was almost offset by the small tube making oil changes take a very l.o.n.g. time, I ordered a new-gen stick from Moto-International, [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] It’ll be here soon.

When I asked the (very nice) parts guy about the screw-in-or-don’t thing, he professed to be unaware of any procedure other then the former. Hmmmm. OK.

So, then I wander around the M-I website looking for things I might need and not need, intending, of course, to buy as many in each category as I could explain semi-lucidly to Kathi.

Well. Lookee here. In the EV section, not unexpectedly, I see no mention of that “screw it or don’t” method; [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] In the Stornello, however, see this: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] i.e., "Level check with dipstick not screwed in.”

OK, that was a surprise, but see the CARC tune-up offerings. For my Norge, no mention of the “not;" [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] For my 2010 GRiSO, ditto: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] For 1100’s and later 8v’s, ditto, i.e., screw her in.

Color me confused.

Would appreciate counseling at convenience.

Many thanks.

Bill

Bill most of that requires translation - INTO English or 'Merican.

How much bourbon did you consume, before posting?

I'l put it all into Google translate and see if any of it is a known language...

Ha!

No bourbon today (yet).

Sometimes the lawyer in me gets ahead of the more normal guy.

Short version of the above: There is confusion even among respected Guzzi gurus about how to use dipsticks to measure oil level.

Bill

No translation required (Tony, how much bourbon have you had??)

Mmm to screw or not to screw.... we have all faced that dilemma.

I'm going to venture that it doesn't really matter, as long as you are consistent.
She will find her own maximum level (by pumping out the extra volume via various outlets) so with your consistent method, mark it as such.

During the night (here) -- and, yes, after I had sipped some corn of the bourbon, not ethanol form -- I got a response from Wayne Orwig (a Georgia Guzzi guru known to Pete and some others here).  I thought it worthy of passing along here.

His start was worrisome: "Bill, as anal as you are about these things, I can’t believe that you don’t own BMWs."

He then went to the merits:

"Generally, if anything is over filled, it will start blowing it out the breather system, or even blowing out seals. The EV as you know was prone to this. And you kind of learned what to do. I never screwed it in, some did. The manual was not clear. (one EV manual, or maybe all, said ‘fully screwed up’. Whatever that is.)
If you under fill it, you run the risk of sucking air when accelerating hard. The Centauro would do that. That is a BAD thing and will damage bearings fast. So, it is often favorable to make sure you have plenty of oil.
Many manufacturers want you to check the level when the oil is HOT. It does expand a bit. Some want it checked cold. Never start the motor for a short time and check it. That cold oil is pumped up in the valve covers and not dripped down. You will get a false low reading.

In the end, what is important, is that you ALWAYS do it the EXACT SAME WAY. So you will notice any change in level. I prefer COLD, before engine start, with the dipstick laying on top of the threads. I get repeatable readings, so I can see a change. I do NOT keep topping it up. It is normal to blow out, or burn, a little over time. If it drops very low on the dipstick, that is another story. If it is HIGH on the dipstick at an oil change, that can blow oil out the vents. If it is high between oil changes, you may have a bad spark plug letting unburned gasoline pass into the oil.

If I had a bike under warranty, I would tend to make the dealer/mechanic happy and go towards their preference. One less thing for them to pick on if there is a warranty claim.

In the end, if there is oil on the dipstick, go ride."

==========

Pretty much what bahamazoo said, with some details.

As today is what passes for a warm day in late November in these parts, I will do just that.  Probably on the EV, tho, and not the GRiSO.  The latter has romped quite a bit this year; the EV only once.  Nothing good happens when one ignores a lady in the harem.  

Best,

Bill

waaait a second..... I might be right????      
Holy Crapper.....
Bill, don't edit that post - Steak, make sure the server doesn't go down....
I gotta get the Beautiful Wife to see this!!!




Aah crap, she'll never believe it anyway...