[Keith]

2008 Burgman 400, 7500 miles

I'm at least the third owner of this machine. The fellow I bought it from one year ago said he had just changed the oil in it.

I put 2000 miles on it the last year, bringing it to 7500 now, and changed the oil and oil filter the other day.

First, it had waaay too much oil in it: nearly 2 quarts!! Would you expect any damage due to that?

I put the recommended 1.4L in. That put the oil level slightly above the top of the sight glass when on the center stand and just not visible when on the side stand. I figure that's OK.

Now the bad news: there are flecks of metal in the oil filter!

I don't know when the oil filter was changed last: 2000 miles ago, or never, or sometime in between.

Are those flecks normal at 2000 miles?

Are they normal if the filter had not been changed since new?

They are not attracted to a magnet, so probably are aluminum.

Are there any engine experts out there who can shed some light on this?

 

[Steve D UK]

Has it got a magnetic sump drain plug? Any metal on that?

 

[Keith]

Yes, there was some on the drain-plug magnet.

The largest was maybe 1/8+ inches long and as thick as several hairs, crescent in shape ---as if it were a sliver from a drilling or threading operation. A few smaller pieces, too.

Plus some hardened non-metal material ---like super-hard varnish. My wonder: could that have been left-over adhesive or something from installing the magnet itself?

My plan is to keep riding it! I'll check it carefully the next time I change oil, of course. At least then I'll know what I found the previous time.

 

[Jim]

I bought my 650 new, and changed/flushed the oil (with filter)1st, at 250 miles, then 750 miles. there was quite a bit of silvering/flecks in the oil.

Does it seem to burn oil?

If not, I would not be too concerned. I noticed "Silvering" in my oil, even at 10,000 miles. It seemed to stop at about 15K.

It is a good Idea to change everything (oil and filter)if your not sure. Then you can establish a baseline.

 

[Keith]

That makes me feel better, Jim! Thanks!

Burn oil? Well, not much, apparently, as I took almost two quarts out of it!! But Now I know what I put in and can keep track of it through the glass so will know if it is using oil.

From what I read and hear from Suzuki mechanics, 7,500 miles is "nothing" for these engines.

I see we are practically neighbors, Jim. You live in a beautiful area.

 

[Jim]

From what I read and hear from Suzuki mechanics, 7,500 miles is "nothing" for these engines.

You should see 50,000 miles with no problem. I currently have 40K on my 10 yr. old, and some consider it a "child"

And, we are about 6 hrs. away.

 

[Mike337]

No worries. I was pulling out enough metal to make my payments the 1st few oil changes. Every toy I own STILL has some metal in the filter during oil changes. Besides, what can you do about it anyway? You're fine : )

 

[Quantum Mechanic]

Keith, as has been said, don't worry about the flecks in the filter or on the sump plug. I used to see them all the time when I teched on bikes even when the bike had some quite significant mileage on the clock. It's quite normal. Some will get them for some time, others won't get them hardly ever after the 4k oil change. It totally depends on 'your motor', how it's been ridden, and how it was 'run in' and even what oil you use. Mineral oil produces the most flecks as it just doesn't protect your engine the same as semi syn. Fully syn oil will produce the least amount of flecks and can be used once the engine has finished conforming (from about 5-6k onwards, not before). It reduces engine wear to almost zero and is best long term especially if you ride hard. It also releases marginally more mpg and a tad more power due to the reduction in friction inside your engine. All proven.

Suzuki say you don't have to change the oil filter each oil change and if that's the case with your bike and the filter wasn't changed last time, it will have flecks of metal in it for sure. Your engine is still very young and the engine conforming (finishing the running in process) doesn't stop on these engines until around the 6000 mile mark. You will probably find you won't get much if any more of these flecks now.

Suzuki Burgman 400 engines of all year will cover massive mileages. In my town we have 3 Burgman 400's. Mine has just 5k on the clock and is still conforming, but the other two both have in excess of 72,000 and 88,000 miles of trouble free motoring on them. I have seen a 2008 with 98,000 miles on the clock at a recent Burgman meeting so you probably won't wear it out anytime soon.

Incidentally, as Jim says, it's a great idea to change the oil filter (and the little internal 'O' ring that comes separately) each oil change. The filters are cheap and it's good insurance. Enjoy your bike and keep posting to let us all know how it's panning out. Ride safe!

Edit: just noticed you put in 1.4litres of oil. That's the amount you put in when an engine overhaul is carried out and if you check the level as per the Suzuki owners manual with the bike on it's wheels having run it and letting it stand the required amount of time, you'll find it's way over the top. Too full. It's not good for the engine long term as too much crankcase pressure builds up inside the engine. Over time this can lead to oil leaks. After checking the level as per the owners manual (not a workshop manual but the book that comes with the bike) if the level is too high, and it will be, you can suck some out, or drain a little. Then recheck. It's not massively over the top but I'd get it down to the right level (if indeed it proves you are actually over the top).

 

[Muse]

Normal occurrence with new engines even with todays quality control and its normal to find metal specks especially aluminium which is not a problem, steel would be a problem but the magnet ensures its not. i have seen cheap oils show signs of what appears to be metal but are not, just an additive. Like others have mentioned it disappears after a few oil changes and the engine is fully bedded in.

 

[saabgeorge]

First, it had waaay too much oil in it: nearly 2 quarts!! Would you expect any damage due to that?

While that is too much oil, if your bike wasn't belching out clouds of smoke it probably wasn't overfilled to the point of causing any damage. This is from the service manual and seems to indicate that if you have too much oil you'd be able to tell by the exhaust.

 

[Mike337]

Here's my metal collection. This was about the 4th oil change. Must've flushed something through, i hope!

 

[NormanB]

I think the o/p discovered two key things:

1. The oil filter works, it retained the metal debris. (it is normal to have some wear debris).

2. The need to check oil level between oil changes.

 

[Mike337]

Here's my metal collection. This was about the 4th oil change. Must've flushed something through, i hope!

Edit: The metal chip on the end of my pocket knife is what I was concerned with. There were about 3 pieces that were fairly sizable.