James Albert is a dirt biker for about 6 years with a passion for helping others get into the sport without knowing anything. He shares...Read more
If you own and ride a dirt bike, doing the necessary maintenance is critical to keeping the machine up and running. The use of quality oil for dirt bikes is paramount in your general maintenance routine, and how often should you change dirt bike oil?
You should change your oil every 20-30 hours as a general rule of thumb. However, each type of dirt bike will give you a recommended time or mileage for changing the oil. You should always follow those recommendations, especially if you do not ride your bike very often or you cover many miles on it.
To enjoy the best performance from your dirt bike and avoid unwanted breakdowns, you should change your dirt bike oil frequently. Improper lubrication can cause dangerous friction, so regular oil changes are so important to keep your dirt bike running smoothly for longer.
In general, more frequent oil changes result in longer engine life. Oil is relatively inexpensive when considering how much damage it can prevent, so changing your oil frequently is a good idea. It is important to use the right type and weight of oil for optimal performance and the life of your engine.
How Often Should You Change Dirt Bike Oil?
You should change your dirt bike oil every 20 hours. Most riders fall into one of two categories. One, you have a fleet of dirt bikes and ride them regularly. In this situation, you should change your oil after every session on the track or trail.
Two, you do not ride as often. In this case, a good rule of thumb is to set a daily reminder in your phone to pull out your bike for 5–10 minutes every weekend. This will keep the engine lubricated and ready for action when you want to go for a longer ride.
It is important you change your oil every 10-20 hours, depending on how often you ride. Also, you should check your air filter and valve clearance while looking at the oil. Keeping a proper record of changing your oil will do a lot to ensure you keep the engine in good condition.
How to Check Dirt Bike Oil?
To check dirt bike oil:
- Put the bike on a stand and let the bike run for three minutes to warm it up.
- Stop the engine, remove the dipstick, and wipe it with a clean rag.
- Check that the oil level is between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick.
- You should add oil if needed but never overfill your bike. Finally, start the engine again to ensure everything is in working order.
How to Change Oil on a Dirt Bike?
Changing the oil on a dirt bike for women is easy. The first thing you need to do when changing the oil on your dirt bike is to drain the old oil. Draining the oil will eliminate almost all the particles and contaminants your engine has collected over the last few rides.
To drain the oil, you need to locate the drain plug at the bottom of the engine and loosen it. While you locate it, you need to place a drain pan under the motor to collect the old oil. Once you have removed the drain plug, the oil should leak into the drain pan.
You need to leave it for 10 to 15 minutes to completely drain the oil. After that, you can tighten the drain plug and be ready to add new oil. You should ensure that you replace the old oil with the recommended oil for the engine to work optimally.
Now you can add the oil through the opening on the engine. It is the same place where you check the oil level in the engine.
What Oil Do I Need for a 4 Stroke Engine?
You will need to use quality four-stroke motor oil for your engine. The recommended oil weight for your engine can be found in the owner’s manual and on a small sticker found on the engine cover.
There are a few different kinds of 4 stroke engines, which usually use SAE10W-30, SAE10W-40, or straight grade SAE30 motor oil. However, most engines require the use of quality oil.
The best oil for a 4-stroke engine is 5W30 or 10W40, depending on the model and age. The number 30 stands for the 30 minutes for the oil to drain from the engine. The higher the number, the thicker your oil.
What Oil Do I Need for a 2 Stroke Engine?
The 2-Stroke oil is specially formulated for use in 2-stroke engines. Castrol’s 2-Stroke oils are designed to help minimize exhaust power valve sticking, helping to optimize power output while at the same time protecting against rust and corrosion. Also, you can use 5w40 in a two-stroke engine, but if you can get a two-stroke oil, then it would be better.
What Happens to Engine Without Oil Change?
The engine in your automobile is lubricated by motor oil. Over time, the oil will get dirty and will not be able to do its job as effectively, which can cause major damage to your engine if you neglect to change the oil. Some of the things that you will experience if you fail to change the oil include:
Oil will turn into sludge
Sludge is the residue left behind by the engine oil as it wears out over time due to usage. As the oil in your car engine gets older, it becomes less dense and builds up combustion by-products, eventually turning into sludge.
The oil left in your engine for long periods will turn into sludgy gunk that will cause your car’s engine to wear out much more quickly than normal. This is because the oil acts as a lubricating agent in your engine, and if it’s not changed regularly, it will just stop doing its job, eventually leading to component failure.
Overheating
Overheating an engine is the quickest way to blow it up. The engine oil is a lubricant that cools the engine as it cycles through. When you stop changing your oil, that lubricant and cooling effect will break down until it is no longer effective.
Increase in fuel consumption
Not changing the dirt bike engine oil results in increased deposits and contamination of the lubricant, which can lead to excessive fuel consumption and lower bike performance.
Dark and dirty oil
Not changing the oil in your dirt bike’s engine can lead to dark and dirty oil. Dirty oil is the buildup of debris, particles, and metal bits that accumulate over time, deposits that can keep the engine from performing at its best.
The longer you go without cleaning the oil from your engine, the dirtier the oil becomes, which translates directly into decreased performance.
Exhaust smoke
Exhaust smoke is the most visible sign of an engine that needs a change in its oil. When dirt bike engine oil grows old, it does not lubricate the moving components of the motor as well as clean oil.
Furthermore, it becomes contaminated with bits of combustion residue and unburned fuel, which also clog and contaminate the inside of the motor. As a result, the engine cannot produce all of the power or run at its full efficiency level, and those losses are evidenced by visible exhaust smoke.
Engine noise
Engine noise from a dirt bike is often the result of normal wear and tear. However, if your engine has begun to sound abnormal and/or loud, you may have a problem. One of the leading causes of engine noise is dirty oil.
Is It Important to Keep on Changing the Oil of Dirty Bikes?
When you ride a dirt bike often, you need to keep changing the oil, or your bike will begin to have problems. Therefore, you should keep a clean oil filter on the bike and change the one inside the bike when you should.
There are many benefits you get from changing your oil regularly, and they are:
Reduce engine wear
It is important to regularly change your bike’s engine oil, as oil wears out with use, particularly in four-stroke engines. As the oil ages, it tends to collect water and contaminate, making it less effective at internal lubricating components. At this point, the oil can cause more damage than good, so it is important to remove it.
So, changing the engine oil helps protect the engine from wear and tear by reducing friction between moving parts. It also reduces corrosion by helping remove harmful substances such as acids and water.
Long engine lifespan
A clean engine will ensure a long engine lifespan. Regularly cleaning the bike engine keeps the moving parts properly lubricated, reduces damage to the moving parts, helps save on fuel costs, and extends the longevity of your car.
Better gas mileage
Better gas mileage is one of the most important reasons to change your bike engine’s oil. When the engine is well lubricated, it uses less fuel. Keeping your vehicle running better also improves its value and may even help sell it further down the line.
Optimal engine lubrication
Regular oil changes are vital to maintaining optimal engine lubrication. Motor oil is a liquid that helps keep the internal parts of your engine from grinding against one another and fusing, wear is reduced, and parts last longer.
Conclusion
The engine is an important part of your dirt bike, and you need to do all that is required to keep it in good condition. There are ways you can achieve that, and one important one is through the use of quality engine oil.
So, this post on how often should you change dirt bike oil explains all you need to know about the importance of changing oil, how and when you should change the dirt bike oil.
James Albert is a dirt biker for about 6 years with a passion for helping others get into the sport without knowing anything. He shares his expertise and reviews dirt bikes and related tools.
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