2001 XR400: Oil Capacity

[jdecicco]

I can't seem to find my owner's manual.

Can someone please tell me how much oil this thing holds?

Thanks!

Jim

 

[snaggleXR4]

Hey,
First of all, go to the Honda shop and by the Honda Service manual for your bike. It's like $60, but well worth it if you ever plan to do any of your own maintenance.

To answer your question, it takes 1.7 qts (1.8 qts if you change the oil filter, which you should do at least every other oil change). I recommend Pro Honda GN4 (about $3/qt). I use/have used it in all my XR's with excellent results. You need to pour in about 1 qt (you will overflow if you pour the whole 1.7 qts in all at once) and let it sit for a few, then start up the bike and let it get warm (take a short ride around the yard/street etc.) With the bike level check the oil, put in the rest of the oil to the fill level on the stick. Because the oil is stored in the frame and the crankcase, checking the oil can be very tricky. Many times I've put in the full amount only to not show anything on my dipstick. Don't keep adding more. Ride around again, let the motor get good and hot and the oil circulated then check again until you get a good reading.

 

[jdecicco]

Thanks for the info., and tips.

My shop manual will be in by around Thursday - I ordered one last week. :-)

Thanks again.

Jim

 

[helterskelter400]

hey snaggle

i have an overflow prob on xr6 but i can pour 2 litres straight down the xr4 as fast as the funnell'l take it!!

 

[ThumpinTahoe]

My xr400 2001 holds 1.93 quarts. Add one quart , start it up and then add the other .93. Otherwise you will overflow if you try and add both at once. I comes out perfect everytime. Make sure you pull both plugs when you drain it.

 

[snaggleXR4]

helter skelter,
I stand corrected. Thinking back, I never did overflow on the XR4, I just did it like the manual said. Likewise, my 650R will overflow after about a quart of oil. Regardless, I was really trying to make the point that you can't just pour it all in and get the right measurement right away. Unless, you have it down to a science. I used to use my buddy's 2-stroke cup to pour out whatever was needed from the 2nd quart, then just empty them both in the bike. Came out great everytime.

 

[James]

I find that mine takes about 2.5 qts when I clean the screen in the frame tube.

 

[helterskelter400]

james

aint "clean the screen" from a cypress hill song ;)

 

[James]

I'm not sure, I still can't figure out which song SNOOP DOG sings??!!

 

[helterskelter400]

woldnt call it singin

 

[snaggleXR4]

When I said change the oil filter, I didn't mean just cleaning the downtube strainer screen. That is required also, but don't forget to actually change the oil filter.

 

[James]

Well, what I was getting at is that the book says 1.9 qts when you change the oil filter. My assumption is that they mean drain from both drain bolts and change the filter. Now, when I go one step further and clean the screen (which isn't necessary every time you change the oil) there seems to be 1/4 to 1/2 quart of oil more required than the book's 1.9.