Burning oil question

Ok, so I have read and read, and read on this forum and the internet about the Panigale burning oil. Some people have it, some don't. Some have it bad, some have it a little"¦.

Those who have it bad or a little, opine on this :

So its a relatively new bike, 2050 miles. Broken in correctly, not even remotely pushed to full potential yet. When its started it does smoke quite a bit when its given a bit of RPM's. Even when its at full operating temp it still smokes for the first 5-10 min or so. After I ride for a bit and I give it some RPM's it doesn't have any visible smoke anymore. Here is an example of the burning oil problem.

Just now got back from a ride, maybe 60-70 miles. I checked it, on a rear stand, the oil level and it was at the top line. I get back, put it up on the rear stand, hot, and the oil level dropped to the center of the two lines. Thats like 100-120mls in 60-70 miles.

How the hell can it drop this much ? And yes, I spoke to my dealer about it, and as usual they are more than accommodating. They want to pick it up and take a look at it and diagnose it. They are always easy to work with, but I really don't want an engine teardown.

Anyone else want to share their data on this ?

NOLA

Ok...

My thoughts.... Firstly you state that you haven't pushed it yet.. I assume in this statement you in terms of revs???

At 2050 miles and possibly being ridden gently then the motor is not yet close to being broken in..hence oil usage/smoke... Mine didn't stop using oil till I hit 3000 miles and that was riding it hard for day one..these motors appear to require a really long break in period and anecdotally I think its shown to respond better to hard riding...

Why are you not pushing the motor ???

I did see some smoke when I got the bike especially during the warm up phase.
Never had to add oil or seen any smoke since. I might have been a little less gentle than most during the break in period as well.
After 4,500 miles the bike is really opening up and seems to display a nice gain in performance.

Hey thanks Steve"¦

Yes, in revs.

Let me clarify, you bring up good points, I have not literally raced it on a track for an extended duration of time and laps, of course I have gone up to the top red light, and thru gears, but I have not punished it. I tend to shift, even when out having fun, prior to the Christmas tree lights coming on. I did take it very easy till 600, and mostly easy till 1500. Then I did run it up, but not in the exact race types some here do.

You bring up really really good points, but jeez, how ....... long does it take rings to seat"¦3k miles ? That seems excessive even for this big ... motor.

Thanks !

NOLA

Well my experience may not be typical...but yes indeed it took mine that long...

My other question would be what oil are you using??? This could be germane also....

@ the OP.

Have you had a good look at the the rocker covers? both front and rear? Are you sure it isn't weeping oil from the gasket?
The rear is relatively easy to check.. but the front not so much.. just a thought.

littlejohn said:

@ the OP.

Have you had a good look at the the rocker covers? both front and rear? Are you sure it isn't weeping oil from the gasket?
The rear is relatively easy to check.. but the front not so much.. just a thought.

Click to expand...

Yup, sure did, got under it and around it, and flash lighted it up"¦I can't find any type of oil residue anywhere on it, or under it"¦.It has to go SOMEwhere when it leaks out"¦or its burning. And since I can't find a leak, or a puddle, or a streak on the engine case...

NOLA said:

.

You bring up really really good points, but jeez, how ....... long does it take rings to seat"¦3k miles ? That seems excessive even for this big ... motor.

NOLA

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You really need to go out and beat on the poor motorcycle.


The smoke is the motor begging you to actually ride it.




Don't worry about the oil level unless it gets below the bottom line. I doubt it used half and I bet you would have a hard time duplicating the oil usage.

Mine smoked just a hair breaking it on start up and only when you first fired it up the first few weeks.

But I drove 200 miles easy ish freeway, 100 in between redline, and 400 track style red lining. Once I beat on it, I have not notice it like I did when it was new.

outhouse said:

You really need to go out and beat on the poor motorcycle.


The smoke is the motor begging you to actually ride it.




Don't worry about the oil level unless it gets below the bottom line. I doubt it used half and I bet you would have a hard time duplicating the oil usage.

Mine smoked just a hair breaking it on start up and only when you first fired it up the first few weeks.

But I drove 200 miles easy ish freeway, 100 in between redline, and 400 track style red lining. Once I beat on it, I have not notice it like I did when it was new.

Click to expand...

You're right. Its just me. I am imagining all this, and that after I got the 600 miles change, it was fine, then at 1,000 it wasn't even on the inspection port, and that it took 600mls to get it to the center inspection port window again.

Listen, I love the .... out of the bike, and if it takes me adding oil on a regular basis, then I guess I'll have to. Or the dealer tearing it down and gauge'ing the dimensions. Either way, I will fix it and ride it for a long time. but I sure the hell am not imagining this, and can recreate it anytime I want. I just have to start it and ride it

Yours doesn't have this problem then. Apparently.

NOLA

I don't think the bike should be on a rear stand when checking the oil.

When its cold the oil also has time to sink down to the pan, when its hot its been shot all around the heads, cylinders, cams, oil filter, etc. That could be the cause.

Ride it like you stole it. They like to be ridden hard

EvoL said:

I don't think the bike should be on a rear stand when checking the oil.

When its cold the oil also has time to sink down to the pan, when its hot its been shot all around the heads, cylinders, cams, oil filter, etc. That could be the cause.

Click to expand...

Good point, and I just went and rechecked cold. It was down a bit less than before but still at least a perceivable distance from pre ride. Thanks

Undertand the rear stand is just my way of making sure the bike is in the same position, then the only variable is the oil, not ME tilting the bike to check the level. I was only using it a guide to eliminate a variable of tilt. It may have more oil to the front of the pan with it on the stand but the level should be the same with it back on the stand and cold. If I do the test and exactly replicate it after the ride then there is nothing changed except the ride and the level.

Makes sense to me

NOLA

NOLA said:

You're right. Its just me. I am imagining all this, and that after I got the 600 miles change, it was fine, then at 1,000 it wasn't even on the inspection port, and that it took 600mls to get it to the center inspection port window again.

Listen, I love the .... out of the bike, and if it takes me adding oil on a regular basis, then I guess I'll have to. Or the dealer tearing it down and gauge'ing the dimensions. Either way, I will fix it and ride it for a long time. but I sure the hell am not imagining this, and can recreate it anytime I want. I just have to start it and ride it

Yours doesn't have this problem then. Apparently.

NOLA

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You missed the whole point.

Go out and beat on it to get the rings sealed these motors are made to hammer on.


If that doesn't do it, I would take it in if it keeps using that much.

I took my bike to a personal duc mechanic to top oil in and look at other stuff .... Aside from adding oil the mechanic was upset that it hard started the way it did ... He swears it's a problem with the bike and the smoking can be correlated and he urged me to take the bike to the dealer I hateeee going to the dealer! But I guess I will be seeing the dealer

outhouse said:

You missed the whole point.

Go out and beat on it to get the rings sealed these motors are made to hammer on.


If that doesn't do it, I would take it in if it keeps using that much.

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Make sure you get the motor to a decent operating temp before you flog it they need to warm up .
They will use oil it's not a big deal .

wilkson said:

Make sure you get the motor to a decent operating temp before you flog it they need to warm up .
They will use oil it's not a big deal .

Click to expand...

Yes sir. Usually do. Im 3 miles from my flogging 3 miles


Good advise.

once I checked the oil 10 minutes after a ride and it was a bit low. I added less than 1/8 quart and checked it again the next morning. overfilled.

EvoL said:

I don't think the bike should be on a rear stand when checking the oil.

When its cold the oil also has time to sink down to the pan, when its hot its been shot all around the heads, cylinders, cams, oil filter, etc. That could be the cause.

Click to expand...

Bingo!

Mine smoked quite a bit when I first got it, I did not follow break in procedure I ran it hard from day one, these are race engines, they very short slipper pistons, in a nicasyl bore with very thin rings. You have to put a load on the engine to get it sealed up.
Baby it around and you glaze the cylinder wall and your rings will never seat. We I replace pistons and rings in anything with this types of cylinder coating I assemble them "dry" so the rings have a chance to seat.
Make sure you haven't over filled it, warm it up and go out and ring it's neck, don't let it drop below 8000 and get it to redline as much as you can (without killing yourself) Steve

Ride the bike like its designed for otherwise you will have no end of problems,