Should I pay to have my oil changed or do it on my own? : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

95zx6 · 05-31-2008, 08:57 AM

I was wondering about this. I change my oil on my car. But I was reading the manual, it says its pretty easy, but do I really need to replace some of the washers and o rings? You have to take the oil cooler off too. Its a 95 zx-6....definitely needs an oil change. Also what kinda oil should I use, just Mobil for motorcycles or something?

I also do not have an oil filter wrench (unless it is just a socket wrench and not a specific tool) and I have no center stand....I take it that makes it difficult or what?

uzimon · 05-31-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95zx6

I was wondering about this. I change my oil on my car. But I was reading the manual, it says its pretty easy, but do I really need to replace some of the washers and o rings? You have to take the oil cooler off too. Its a 95 zx-6....definitely needs an oil change. Also what kinda oil should I use, just Mobil for motorcycles or something?

I also do not have an oil filter wrench (unless it is just a socket wrench and not a specific tool) and I have no center stand....I take it that makes it difficult or what?

the oil cooler issue would keep me from it, for sure.
on no bike i've had since 2000 (except on busa's that needed fairing loosened to get filter out ) have you had to do anything but drain the oil, pull filter, replace filter and refill.
haven't had to replace the drain plug o-ring either, just when the nut got rounded off from using the stock tool kit. a socket wrench with a 17mm is best

ZuluNinja · 06-08-2008, 08:53 PM

a stand is not necessary, but makes it easier. Socket wrench is a must if u don't want to wrestle with a screwdriver stabbed thru the middle of the filter. Go to a dealer and get some good synthetic oil; I did my zx6r some time ago with synth for cars and it foamed, so get bike oil. Apart from that, it should be a fairly easy DIY, the washer is pretty solid and good enough for a some changes; dealers around here charge 60$ for regular oil change, synth can go above a 100$, if u get the oil and filter it's around 30-40 bucks depending what u get.

95zx6 · 06-14-2008, 07:16 PM

what about removing the oil cooler, easy?

RedneckHillbilly · 06-16-2008, 08:10 AM

I've never replaced a drain plug washer, ever, on anything.....why does the oil cooler have to come off ?

95zx6 · 06-16-2008, 11:09 AM

apparently to change the oil filter on the zx6

RedneckHillbilly · 06-16-2008, 04:06 PM

its in front of the oil filter ? just take it loose but dont take the lines off it, maybe, I cant see it from here...

Joe88ZX10 · 06-18-2008, 04:13 PM

I've got an 1988 ZX10 that I'm going to do an oil / filter change on very soon . The bike has a Hindle pipe with no centerstand .
The pipe snakes directly under the oil filter housing , therefore it must be removed to drop the filter . I purchased new copper exhaust gaskets from the dealer ( $ 45 w. tax ) and I'm pretty sure I'll have to move the oil cooler and possibly the rad to get the pipe out , but I don't know yet , until I get into the job .

The oil filter hasn't been changed in a while according to the previous owner . If I had the dealer do it , they add $ 50 to the oil change bill , if the pipe has to be removed .
If you have good mechanical skills / tools , have a manual and are careful about putting everything back in the same order as disassembly , you'll have NO problems and you'll get to know your bike more intimately and build your confidence level to take-on other maintenance tasks , ( ie. valve shimming ) !

The ONLY person who will take the time , be clean , be careful and ensure the job is done right is YOU !

BTW , the K&N oil filter comes with all the necessary o-rings for filter replacement .

95zx6 · 06-28-2008, 08:46 PM

I finally changed my oil. It wasn't too bad to get to the filter either. Taking the fairing off is annoying, even worse putting it back on (probably because mine is a little beat up). The oil cooler does not need to be disconnected, there are just 3 bolts holding it on and you can undo those and move it out of the way. The headers surround the filter pretty tight but I managed to fit my hand in there to unscrew it.

I actually have a minor leak where the shifter comes out. Not sure if I am going to fix it as it seems like a lot of work. Anyway thats all for now.

Joe88ZX10 · 07-18-2008, 11:26 AM

Good work 95ZX6 !

Tenquo · 08-13-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe88ZX10

The ONLY person who will take the time , be clean , be careful and ensure the job is done right is YOU !

I take that as an insult!

Joe88ZX10 · 08-20-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenquo

I take that as an insult!

Just trying to instill artificial confidence in the NooB ! No offence to the Kawasaki line mechanics !

RedneckHillbilly · 08-20-2008, 02:03 PM

Swiss Kawasaki line mechanics