Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050

Oily Rag - Dedicated to Pat, Greywolf. 26/06/45 - 04/06/18 => Oil/Lubrication => Topic started by: Jacko on June 04, 2014, 15:23:21

Title: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Jacko on June 04, 2014, 15:23:21
Performed the 7.5k oil change today, videoed it as a document of the change for potential buyers in the future, made it public as it may help someone who isn't sure about doing it themselves.

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp1Pbh61BXo

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTsAFSW5f60

I only decided to make it public minutes before the camera rolled, thought it'd give me an excuse to talk rubbish during the slower bits.

I plan to document every oil change and service work I undertake. I can link to the vids at sale time, rather than just have a bunch of meaningless stamps in a book.
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: stibbs on June 04, 2014, 15:43:20
Nice one. I'd only add, although I did skip a bit so it may have been mentioned, that the oil drains easier if the filler cap is removed prior to draining.  :)
Cheers Andy. :thumb:
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Jacko on June 04, 2014, 15:45:22
Yeah, I did mention that early on, said radiator cap first, then corrected myself. Thanks for the feedback.
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: mr_diver on June 04, 2014, 16:28:06
nice one mate,

Been thinking about videoing a service for a long time, but can never be bothered.

As someone who's put a few miles on a V-Strom I can only agree with Jacko's decisions to not inspect/replace bits needlessly as the Suzuki service manual states.

But as a little break down:
Oil change every 3.5k miles
Filter every 3rd change (I tend to change every time as they cost me peanuts and I don't have to remember the last time it was changed.
Air filter replace every 11k miles (my air filter was fairly black, but still not strangling the engine at 25k miles and replaced with a washable after market option)
My original Plugs (not Iridium on my model, and only 2 of them) were swapped at 30k miles- nothing wrong with them, not eroded or fouled- the iridium ones I put in have not been looked at in the last 25k and will most likely never be seen again.  :shrug:
I have played around with different oils, grades and types:
10w40 the correct grade oil for the DL650 for the temp ranges in Europe. But do buy a known quality brand oil. Some lesser known brands I have used have been past there best long before the end of the stupidly short service interval of the V-Strom.
The Silkolene Super 4 is also my oil of choice- nice gear change, perfect clutch grab, long lasting protection.
I find some of the oils I have tried don't, in my opinion suit the V-strom. some give a snatchy clutch and gear change, while others turn black at an alarmingly fats rate. Fully synth made no difference on a under stressed engine.

It was nice to see someone doing a home service vid, not pouring oil all over the floor, not using imperial tools on metric fittings, cleaning up as they work and talking in a manner that makes you think they may know what they are talking about (seen a load of vids recently and the person just came across as an idiot, and wasn't someone you'd want to listen to)

Good work mate keep it up!  :thumb:
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Locky on June 04, 2014, 17:11:58
that's a great video jacko and will help folk who've never done it. Well done :thumb:
But buy a funnel you tight arse http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-4-PIEC ... 417bdc90eb (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-4-PIECE-PLASTIC-FUNNEL-SET-/281250926827?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item417bdc90eb)
Title: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Jacko on June 04, 2014, 18:02:08
Good additional info for the thread Diver.

Kind words too. :) I tried my best to disguise my incompetence.
Title: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Jacko on June 04, 2014, 18:03:12
Quote from: "Locky"
that's a great video jacko and will help folk who've never done it. Well done :thumb:
But buy a funnel you tight arse http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-4-PIEC ... 417bdc90eb (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-4-PIECE-PLASTIC-FUNNEL-SET-/281250926827?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item417bdc90eb)

Lmao. Waste of money...
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: SausagesDad on June 04, 2014, 18:37:45
That's brilliant Jacko and Mr Diver thank you. Approaching the 3.5k soon and trying to work out of I had the nous to do it myself.
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Jacko on June 04, 2014, 19:17:21
Dad, it's done at 4k :thumb:
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: SausagesDad on June 04, 2014, 20:48:05
Thank you son.
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Hilldweller on June 04, 2014, 21:39:02
Quote from: "mr_diver"
before the end of the stupidly short service interval of the V-Strom.

I've a FIAT diesel with 19K oil changes. I don't push it that far, I usually do one a year but 3500 is just absurd in 2014. That's not a decent summer trip.
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: tallpaul on June 04, 2014, 21:49:18
Quote from: "SausagesDad"
Thank you son.
lol
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: UK_Vstrom650 on June 04, 2014, 21:52:22
I asked Suzuki Customer Services if the service interval would be amended to reflect the Veek... the answer was unsurprisingly no. I'm hoping to go to a Suzuki test ride day in the summer so I'll tell the man from Suzuki the service intervals are a joke.
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Jacko on June 04, 2014, 22:02:13
I did exactly that when they came to Lincoln, the chap from Suzuki GB said the intervals were more about the cycle parts, chain, brakes etc. than oil. He said we're shockingly inept at looking after our bikes so they need to see them often to ensue nothing seizes up.
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: UK_Vstrom650 on June 04, 2014, 22:11:24
That's rubbish and if he says that to me I'll tell him. If it was true the other manufacturers wouldn't be extending their service intervals.
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: S2Rgar on June 04, 2014, 22:51:03
Excellent videos.

You made that look rather easy actually (for someone who doesn't do my own maintenance)...... I may now be tempted to do future intermediate oil changes myself.

Thanks  :thumb:

Gary
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Jacko on June 05, 2014, 06:45:49
That was the idea Gary. :thumb:
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Retraite on June 05, 2014, 07:49:05
Nice one.

Total evidence of work done should any warranty work be needed - excellent idea. :)
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Juvecu on June 05, 2014, 09:57:49
+1 to that, I think video documenting is a great idea, but I can't help and feel there wasn't enough pish talking going on :grin:

I don't tighten the oil filter as much as that, too much can distort the seal enough to cause a leak. I agree with you that 20Nm sounds a bit much, particularly if you're told to put oil on the seal too. I just spin it on until it stops from the seal hitting the mating surface, then give it another twist or so, about the same tightness as you'd use to put the cap on a plastic milk bottle (if that makes sense? :shrug: ) Then I just check it after the first ride and if it leaks I give it another 1/4 twist.

I use some cheap funnels from IKEA, but I've been known to tell the good lady she needs new funnels in the kitchen and then ask if I can have the old ones in the same breath. She sees right through me, but usually agrees :)

Bonus points for wearing a V-Strom.co.uk T-shirt, it almost makes you sexy, almost :neen:
Title: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Jacko on June 05, 2014, 10:12:16
I have some stockings and suspenders for the next one Juv, stay tuned.

I wasn't right happy about the oil filter torque, I think I got that across :) , however, Suzuki do recommend that, and warranty or potential buyer, I wanted to show if done it by the book, I'd have stopped if it got too tight. I usually just put them on hand tight.

Regarding funnels, I've used them before and I do own a small one, but I find the time spent having to keep them spotlessly clean, especially with oil, is greater than the extra time it takes to poor the oil in carefully. I'm a pro, I have no need for funnels. ;) But if you amateurs need to use them then go ahead...
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Juvecu on June 05, 2014, 12:57:37
I have a "clean" funnel for oil, I put it in a plastic bag when I'm done with it and only use it for pouring fresh oil. I have a "dirty" funnel for pouring old engine/fork oil or brake fluid or such into bottles for disposal at the amenities site.

I get what you're saying about the filter torque, it looked too tight for me, but that's because I don't do filters up tight at all. My old filters are that "loose" that I can undo them by hand without problems.
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: tallpaul on June 05, 2014, 13:14:29
I do the same with my funnels. One clean and kept in a plastic bag and another for my dirty barrel. With regards to tightness of the filter, the one oddity I have noticed is that the Suzuki filters use a 1mm pitch thread. Most other filters I've ever come across have a 1.5mm thread. Hand tight should be plenty. The only reason for any torque figure is for standardisation. Your version of "hand tight" may be very different from mine! :)
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: greywolf on June 05, 2014, 14:51:55
The genuine Suzuki oil filter has a relatively soft, large, round cross section gasket. The spec is to tighten it two revolutions after contact of the gasket to the crankcase. No other brand should be tightened nearly that much.
Title: Re: Suzuki 2012 DL650 7500 mile oil change.
Post by: Jacko on June 05, 2014, 16:28:58
Zx6 manual says 20nm for the filter too. It gets hand tight though. I only gave this one 20nm to stick to spec.