JC Whitney dipstick & oil condition

1389 Views 19 Replies 11 Participants Last post by morriscatt, Jul 9, 2009

BugsInTeeth

Discussion Starter · Jul 4, 2009

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I have used seafoam in the oil for 200 miles, changed the oil once and now want to keep an eye on the oil condition because as I understand it, it should be changed when it looks dirty which should be before the scheduled change.

Question is I have installed a JC Whitney oil dipstick on my 1100 and wonder if the oil condition can be see from the stick which is a distance from the front of the engine. Who has one? Does oil migrate all the way to the dipstick and indicate the condition?

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Hatchetman

· #2 · Jul 4, 2009

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The dip stick is submerged in oil hopefully to the full mark all the time. You will be able to see the standing level as well as the health of the oil on your stick.

After a sea foam treatment you can expect the oil to get dirty quite quickly because the sea foam will loosen up alot of solidified carbon deposits & turn them into liquid form for your filter to trap.

BugsInTeeth

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 4, 2009

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Thanks hatchetman,I am thinking that there is no need for much flow from the crankcase all the way out and up to the stick to show the level and therefore may not be reliable as to the condition. Do you have a dipstick? Do you feel the dipstick approximates the drained oil? I do like the stick!

rgbeard

· #4 · Jul 4, 2009

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Me thinks you think too much.

When something is generally submerged in the oil pan it should give you a good overall indicator of the oil's cleanliness level.

It's not existing in it's own self-made oasis of clean oil goodness.

If that's not good enough - change the oil

Hatchetman

· #5 · Jul 4, 2009

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Youbetcha! the oil does not travel to find the stick, the stick is always in the oil just like putting your finger into a sink full of water. That is why you get an accurate reading.:waving:

Hobie1

· #6 · Jul 5, 2009

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Any of you find that when you first go to check the oil using the JCW 'stick, that there is no oil on the stick?

Maybe it's just my ride but when I go to check the oil, I take the stick out for about 10-20 seconds then check the oil. I don't know why the oil migrates away from the stick, but it seems to do that with my bike. I also have found that the oil looks better on the stick than when you drain it. I have my maintenance schedule and I stick to that.

Still, I love the JCW dipstick set-up. It beats the Hell out of the site glass.

Regards,

Hobie

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BugsInTeeth

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 5, 2009

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I agree Hobie1. I have put on 600 miles on the new oil after the seafoam treatment and expected it to show some color but it's clean. While the JCW dip stick accurately shows the level all though id does it slowly, I'm assuming it also takes awhile for the oil high up in the small tube to mix with what's happening in the case.

Methinks rgbeard and hatchetman have not noticed that their JCW dip stick is not "submerged in the oil pan" "like a finger in a tub of water"

eddien855

· #8 · Jul 6, 2009

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hi
dont know much about the 1100's but if the dip stick is'nt in the oil and the bike is on the center stand and the oil is at the proper level then the dip stick must be to short. does the dip stick replace the filler cap?

rgbeard

· #9 · Jul 6, 2009

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Yeah, I don't have an 1100. So I'm not that well versed on the JCWhitney dipstick. Sounds - uhh - interesting.

brianinmaine

· #10 · Jul 6, 2009

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I, too, have to wait a few seconds to show the proper level. Also, I leave the stick out to fill it, then check it. Still easier than trying to see the sightglass. I take the whole setup off when changing the oil too. Lots more comes out if you do. So if I wear out the whole setup, I'll just get a new one.

ding dong

· #11 · Jul 6, 2009

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Your bike has an oil pump that provides a continual flow of oil through out the engine. The oil at the dipstick is the same oil that is everywhere else. It looks cleaner on the dipstick because it is such a thin coating.

olefart1

· #12 · Jul 6, 2009

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I,ve had a JCW dip stick on my 1100 for over a yr and mine does the same thing. unscrew stick for a few seconds an level is just fine. When you tighten stick back up it seals it from drawin in any air and creates a small air chamber when engine starts crankcase ventilation is sucked up thru carbs, oil levels drop and creates a small air pocket in dipstick tube so when you unscrew it releases the bubble in tha tube and oil will migrate into tube and show proper level. does that make sense? I love mine i have side covers an tryin see to look at tha site glass in a pain. the only thing is to not tightin the tube to much over time the brass ferel fitting will wear. I have a spare dipstick assembly there pretty cheap.

BugsInTeeth

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 6, 2009

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Thanks olefart1, that air chamber idea about the levels makes sense. With your 1100 do you think the oil condition on the stick is an accurate match to what's in the pan?

I too have the chrome side covers and it was next to impossible to see the levels in the sight glass.

olefart1

· #14 · Jul 6, 2009

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Not really because it is thin. But if you drag oil off of stick onto finger it should give you a good idea. I change my oil every 2500 mi if it needs or not.:clapper:

oharaLTD

· #15 · Jul 7, 2009

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I just had to do it

[flash=425,344]http://www.youtube.com/v/0nel4qVTOgg&hl=en&fs=1[/flash]

Hobie1

· #16 · Jul 7, 2009

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Eyes, I have found that the oil on the stick doesn't really reflect what you're going to see when you drain it. The oil always looks lighter. Now, I haven't tried the wipe it on your finger trick so maybe that would work. No matter what, I'd never have another wing without the dipstick. BTW, I'm on my 9-10th oil change with the same stick and I don't have any leakage problems.

Regards,

Hobie

BugsInTeeth

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 8, 2009

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As I mentioned at the start, I tried the seafoam treatment, then changed the oil after 200 miles. Then as the Seafoam thread suggests I have now changed the oil again after about 1000 miles. The drained oil was in good condition but was definitely darker than the oil seen on my finger off the JCW dipstick. I'll keep that in mind for future changes.

I too like the JCW stick and recommend it, but am a little concerned about problems down the road with continually removing it to change the oil. Hobie1 says it stands up but I'm carrying the old plug just in case. I have a chrome cover that protects both the oil filter and the bottom of my rad and it puts a little excess pressure on the stick.

I've attached a pic from JCW in case anyone else wants an easier way to check the oil level on a 1100. Not sure what else it fits.

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olefart1

· #18 · Jul 8, 2009

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The other thing that will change the color of the oil is the clutch its a wet system. I check the oil when i drain it an check for clutch fragments. clutch fragments get caught in oil pump screen and the sea foam will help remove it. You said you have a cover that covers the oil filter an lower radiator, i believe its called a airdam. I could not use that here in the deep south gets to hot here. The filter housing i have has large fins on it to dissipate heat. they look good and i did entertain the idea of one but it would not let the air flow to the lower part of the motor. Use good oil and change it at regular intervills and you should be fine. Roll-Tide-Roll

RAT

· #19 · Jul 9, 2009

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eHobie1 wrote:

Any of you find that when you first go to check the oil using the JCW 'stick, that there is no oil on the stick?

Maybe it's just my ride but when I go to check the oil, I take the stick out for about 10-20 seconds then check the oil. I don't know why the oil migrates away from the stick, but it seems to do that with my bike. I also have found that the oil looks better on the stick than when you drain it. I have my maintenance schedule and I stick to that.

Still, I love the JCW dipstick set-up. It beats the Hell out of the site glass.

Regards,

Hobie

Mine is the same.

Gord

morriscatt

· #20 · Jul 9, 2009

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When I picked up my bike from my dad only riding her 1000 miles a year for 20 years, the dipstick oil looked very clean, however, when I changed it, the oil was much darker. After changing her a little more often, the sludge i saw the first time,, is no longer there. Dipstick has been on for all 20+ years.

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