Excessive Heat 05 ZX6R after switch to Rotella T
- Thread starter slow
- Start date
TrainingWheels
Well-known member
Unless an overheat indicator turns on then you're still running within the engines designed specifications and I wouldn't give it another thought. People repeatedly race your bike at the high end of its rpm range and it handles it well.
Although slightly less accurate, if you're still skeptical (I wouldn't be since you'd be getting other engine errors by now as well from excessive heat) you can buy a cheap infra-red temp meter such as this one from a hobby store or one from CanadianTire and take readings off your engine and radiator...check against your manual if it's too hot.
I'm using Rotella T6 5W-40 in my SV650 without issue. Double check your oil level as per your manual (unlikely the cause: you'd have first noticed a reduction in power from over filling).
Although slightly less accurate, if you're still skeptical (I wouldn't be since you'd be getting other engine errors by now as well from excessive heat) you can buy a cheap infra-red temp meter such as this one from a hobby store or one from CanadianTire and take readings off your engine and radiator...check against your manual if it's too hot.
I'm using Rotella T6 5W-40 in my SV650 without issue. Double check your oil level as per your manual (unlikely the cause: you'd have first noticed a reduction in power from over filling).
Last edited:
Splash
Well-known member
Should of used Rotella T6
I know people race and stunt with my bike, and that it camrun at the high temps, but the bike only got hotter after i switched to Rotella T though..
Crusing at Highway speeds 110 or so, it's reading high 90's. Usually it drops down to 70's or 80's on a hot day.
I shut the bike off last night after a short ride around 1030, the bike jumped to 108... it has never got to that before especially after a night ride.
If T6 makes a difference, I don't mind switching to it.
EDIT: Riding to work today I never went below 97 even when I was constantly at 110km/h on the 401. Any slower at around 50-60km/h, it went over 102. I saw on several occurrences that the FI light was coming on, then off, then off...etc... I'm going to pull the codes tonight and see if that indicates anything.
Crusing at Highway speeds 110 or so, it's reading high 90's. Usually it drops down to 70's or 80's on a hot day.
I shut the bike off last night after a short ride around 1030, the bike jumped to 108... it has never got to that before especially after a night ride.
If T6 makes a difference, I don't mind switching to it.
EDIT: Riding to work today I never went below 97 even when I was constantly at 110km/h on the 401. Any slower at around 50-60km/h, it went over 102. I saw on several occurrences that the FI light was coming on, then off, then off...etc... I'm going to pull the codes tonight and see if that indicates anything.
Last edited:
I use motul 5100 on my 09 zx6r And my temps average between 75-95 on a hot day.
if its a noticeable difference in heat the first thing I would do is switch back/to a different oil and see if that rectifies it, although it's still within tolerances, I would not just let it ride (forgive the pun)....
if its a noticeable difference in heat the first thing I would do is switch back/to a different oil and see if that rectifies it, although it's still within tolerances, I would not just let it ride (forgive the pun)....
Did you eliminate all the variables? Like have you done anything different other than different oil? Any engine mod or coolant flush since you changed the oil?
Another thing to consider when changing oil, make sure you add a bit of oil in the new filter before screwing it in.
I hope you weren't running full synthetic before. If I switch from Syn to Dino, my engine runs a bit hotter than before.
What ratio coolant are you running?
Another thing to consider when changing oil, make sure you add a bit of oil in the new filter before screwing it in.
I hope you weren't running full synthetic before. If I switch from Syn to Dino, my engine runs a bit hotter than before.
What ratio coolant are you running?
The only other thing I did was adjusting the cam chain tensioner as per http://www.kawiforums.com/how-tos-faqs/95636-how-adjust-factory-cct-636-a-9.html
I was on semi-syth oil before...does that make a difference?
Never changed the coolant and the levels are okay. Time for a change?
I was on semi-syth oil before...does that make a difference?
Never changed the coolant and the levels are okay. Time for a change?
My bet would be your CCT, if it is a 10*C difference, you probably had it too tight. I don't know much about CCT, but did you "gorilla tightened" it with a wrench or hand tightened it? Did they made recommendations on that DIY? I'm in the middle of a project now, can't read everything.
bleed_blue
Banned
If you shut the bike off the temp gauge will go through the roof, this is normal. Your temps look fine. If it gets over 108 while RUNNING then you know something's wrong.
Rotella T isn't recommended for motorcycles because it has anti-friction agents in it that can damage your motorcycles wet clutch. Make this a short change and use a motorcycle specific oil next time, or at the minimum Rotella T6.
bleed_blue
Banned
I was under the impression that T was "energy conserving" but T6 was not?? Sorry if I was mistaken.
Edit: CONFIRMED! "Shell Rotella T - Triple Protection 5w30 Heavy Duty Engine Oil" has "ENERGY CONSERVING II" on the API label on the back, for SURE not safe for wet clutches.
Last edited:
How about 5w-40?
bleed_blue
Banned
Can you confirm T is available in 5w-40? All of my spec sheets don't show T in 5w-40, just T6 (which is non-energy conserving and JASO-MA certified). I wasn't able to find specs on 5w-40 Rotella T if it exists. If you find a jug check the API stamp on the back:
Last edited:
