[rrahul_2778]

Guys, what happens when you put a 20W40 engine oil in the bike (electra 5s)? When my bike was runnign low (almost dry coz of my 700 kms long trip) on oil, my mech didnt have 20W50 and he put 20W40 and said nothing will happen. I was not sure if letting my bike run dry would do any damage so I allowed him to put the 40 oil. Pls help folks!!!

[masterblader]

To get out of jail you had no option but to settle for the 20/40 viscosity.
Replenish ASAP with the recommended 20/50 which is slightly thicker oil to sustain higher temperatures. Thereafter monitor the oil consumption to ensure no permanent damage has been done. Here in the UK while being snowed under we run on 10/30 and in the summer a 10/40

[GreaseMonk]

All my gear box grease has leaked out overnight while parked in the garage. On inspection it seems that one of the screws had vibrated itself off!

Now to get it to my mechanic about 10 km away, what are the options i have?

I cant make the grease + oil combo my mechanic normally puts.
Should I stick with SAE 90 or would I be able to get away with some spare 20w50 i have lying around just for the trip to the mechanic?

Also, how do I check the gearbox oil level during filling?? The Snidal manual wasn't very helpful on this.

[ac 427]

20 x 50 is what i use for my bull.

cheers,
ac

[GreaseMonk]

Originally Posted by ac 427

20 x 50 is what i use for my bull.

cheers,
ac

In your gearbox!? Are you sure? I would think that it's far too thin for extended usage, as SAE90 is recommended. Also, many tend to use a mixture of 20W50 and grease as an alternative to avoid leaks.

What my question was is it alright to use 20w50 straight up in the gearbox for a 10km trip to my mechanics place?

[ac 427]

Originally Posted by GreaseMonk

In your gearbox!? Are you sure? I would think that it's far too thin for extended usage, as SAE90 is recommended. Also, many tend to use a mixture of 20W50 and grease as an alternative to avoid leaks.

What my question was is it alright to use 20w50 straight up in the gearbox for a 10km trip to my mechanics place?

my bad, in my gearbox i use a mixture of grease and 20 x 50 oil.

and yes its okay to use it for a short distance, but ensure you get your gearbox greased, as the last thing you want is a notchy gearbox.

cheers,
ac

[rrahul_2778]

Originally Posted by masterblader

Replenish ASAP with the recommended 20/50 which is slightly thicker oil to sustain higher temperatures. Thereafter monitor the oil consumption to ensure no permanent damage has been done.

Does this cause any permanent damage too????? . Had I known I would have never allowed the mech to add a 20/40 oil.

[Rennjit]

Originally Posted by GreaseMonk

.. What my question was is it alright to use 20w50 straight up in the gearbox for a 10km trip to my mechanics place?

yes. be gentle with speeds & shifts if incase you feel a rough box as its used to grease-oil emulsion.

[Born 2 Be Wild]

Originally Posted by rrahul_2778

Does this cause any permanent damage too????? . Had I known I would have never allowed the mech to add a 20/40 oil.

Relax Bro it wont cause any damage. Infact During my Initial days as a Bullet owner i was also skeptical about what oil would be best for My bike but after 5 years and umpteen Oil Changes i have finally found Something that the bike likes and its cheap too, have used it since the last 2 changes and the result so far is good. Its called lal Ghoda i know, i Know some people will fall over Laughing but believe u me its the thickest Oil i have come across so far and Its damm cheap too At 120rs a Litre.

[masterblader]

Running low on oil after a 700kms is not a good sign so somewhere along your journey the engine was either consuming or dumping it. Stick with the recommended viscosity to ensure all is back to normal and to have peace of mind have the oil pressure checked out.

[GreaseMonk]

Thanks Rennjit.

Originally Posted by Rennjit

yes. be gentle with speeds & shifts if incase you feel a rough box as its used to grease-oil emulsion.

ROTFLOL@ Lal Goda

[masterblader]

Hi Grease Monkey mixing engine oil 20/50 and grease is not a good practise.
Engine oil contains cleaning agents to manage the build up of carbon and sludge in the sump/oiltank. Gearbox oil like SAE 80/90 has gumming agents got from the Guar Gum plant used in cooking (known to us as Asofoetida or Ing) to deal with a different level of loading. Mixing in grease will not cure your leak a good
even mating surfaces and a good dollop of silicone gasket sealant will do the trick.

[Rennjit]

Lal Ghoda, ain't that for diesels ?

[Born 2 Be Wild]

Originally Posted by Rennjit

Lal Ghoda, ain't that for diesels ?

Yes it is a diesel engine oil.

[rrahul_2778]

I guess maybe I am just paranoid. I am trying to come to terms to understand this bike and am no where close to doing that