How to Change Oil and Filter - A beginners guide

[m1ke]

Hi all,

Was bored so I wrote a simple guide to changing oil aimed at people with little mechanical knowledge.

CBR250RR’s Guide to Changing Engine Oil and Filter

This guide is just that. A guide only. If you can do it a better way than that’s the way to do it. I am attempting to write this in a way in which is as simple and explanatory as possible. For most the CBR250RR is their first bike and their first experience with vehicle maintenance. So if you have any additions or suggestion for this guide please let the site admin know. To anyone using this guide remember to use you common sense and think safety when working on any vehicle.

You will need:
• Approx 2.5L of Motorcycle Engine Oil
• Oil Filter (Always buy genuine Honda)
• A container for old oil
• A clean rag
• An old rag
• Old newspaper
• 17mm spanner/socket (Good quality)
• 12mm spanner/socket (Good quality)
• 5mm Allen Key
• A funnel
• Plastic measuring bottle (preferably 1L)
• 1-2 hours depending how much mechanical experience you have

Cost $AU:
• Semi-Synthetic: Approx $34 4L
• Fully-Synthetic: Approx $54 4L
• Oil Filter: $8

Important points:
• Always use the right sized tools when working on your bike. Strip a sump plug and you’ll be a very angry rider
• Use genuine Honda spares such as filters
• Use good quality oils
• Have a clean area to work in. Engines don’t like dirt and dust
• Don’t try and clean oily parts/tools/hands in water. Just wipe them with a clean rag. Oil and water don’t go together
• To check oil level. Engine should be warm but switched off. Sit on bike and hold upright. Undo dipstick. Wipe dipstick with clean rag. Replace dipstick but do not screw back in. Remove dipstick again and the oil level should be between the two makers. Obviously closer to the top marker is preferable.


According to the Honda Workshop Manual the CBR250RR requires the engine oil to be changed every 6000 kilometres, I prefer changing every 5000kms. The oil filter should be changed at a maximum distance of 12000kms although for better engine performance and longevity replacing the filter every oil change is recommended. The CBR250RR requires specialist motorcycle oil. Semi or fully synthetic oil 10W40 or 20W50 should be used.

Take you bike out for a ride to warm the engine up. Another good excuse to go for a ride to your local twisites. Once you get back find a flat even surface to sit your CBR. If you have a bench or wheel stand this will be even easier. As most people don’t own either I will write this as if the bike is on its side stand. Now remove the LHS fairing with your 5mm allen key. This will allow greater access to the sump and oil filter. Spread some newspaper underneath your bike as oil tends to go everywhere and cleaning your driveway means less time riding.



Have your empty container nearby. An old ice cream container works well but whatever you use it should be able to hold more than 2L of fluid and be wide but quite short as there is not a lot or room between the ground and the sump plug.

Grab your 17mm spanner/socket and slowly undo the sump plug. Remember that ride you just went on? Well now the oil is hot so be careful when undoing the sump as oil will rush out once the plug is removed. I usually leave the bike to sit for 5 mins after riding to allow the oil to cool a little. Use an old rag to remove the sump if you are unsure of the oil temperature. Let the majority of the oil drain into your container. Ensure you have somewhere clean to sit your sump plug and oil filter cap as any dirt or dust that gets into your engine can do this to you engine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhBAcO965iM

Once most of the oil has drained its time to remove the oil filter cap. This wonderful piece of kit is next to the sump plug and is visible in the photo below. The oil filter system consists or an oil filter, a rubber seal, a drain bolt, the filter cap, a spring and a metal washer. The last item mentioned is the item that is most often lost/forgotten even by professional mechanics. This washer likes to stick to the old oil filter and you must recover it before you throw the old filter out. If your CBR does not have this washer (like mine) go down to your local dealer and ask them for the oil filter washer. If Honda didn’t want the bike to have one they wouldn’t have put it there so don’t be lazy it only costs 60c or something.



With your 12mm spanner/socket undo the drain bolt. The whole assembly should come down as one piece. Remove the old filter remembering to recover the washer and remove the old seal from the oil filter cap. Smear some oil on the new rubber seal and push it into the filter cap. Now put your new filter on top of the spring remembering to place the washer in between the two. Once all the old oil has drained replace the filter cap containing the new filter and tighten the drain bolt.



After the filter cap is secured replace and tighten the sump plug. Don’t forget to replace the sump plug or you’ll be pouring your $50 oil straight onto the ground! Now it is time to replace the oil. Grab your oil, funnel and measuring container. According to the manual after doing an oil and filter change you will need to replace 2.4L of engine oil. Use this as a guide and use your dipstick to ensure you have the correct oil levels. The dipstick is located on the RHS of your bike around about where your knee would be when riding. The oil goes in here using your funnel.

Once you have filled to engine with the correct oil level move your bike onto a clean bit of your driveway/garage and let your bike sit for 5-10 mins. After letting the bike sit check the ground for any signs of leaking oil. Then run you finger around the sump plug and filter cap to ensure there is no leaking oil from loose bolts/plugs.

If all looks good replace the fairing. Now its time to start her up. Be delicate when starting your bike after an oil change as the cylinders will not be fully lubricated as the new oil will not circulate for a couple of seconds. The oil light should stay on for a couple of seconds after starting. This is normal, however if the oil light stays on for more than 10 seconds switch the bike off immediately and look for leaking oil.

There your done. Wasn’t really that hard and you saved yourself $40 for the cost of a mechanic to do it. Now your bike will go harder, last longer and you’ll feel just that little bit closer to her.

[wheeler]

blaringmike, thats bloody fantastic thanks mate... I am the target market for this guide and that has given me the confidence to have a crack.

[m1ke]

I am the target market for this guide and that has given me the confidence to have a crack.

That was the idea of the guide. I hope people give it a go as it is really quite simple. A lot of new riders are scared about touching their bikes mechanically. However the more you can learn to do yourself the more confident you will feel in your bike knowing that its in a good a shape as possible.

I will try and write a guide to changing brake pads shortly as this is another really easy task which anyone can do.

[john]

Same here, top effort!

[sweeris]

Very nce write up. Eventhough I know how to change the oil and filter I still think that this is a very good guide for people who are really scared to touch their bike...

Come to think of it, I'm quite near my next service