Just picked up a 2000 zx11 : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

98GSTSpyder · 05-20-2008, 09:03 PM

Hi all!

well as the title states, i just bought a ninja zx11 with 11,000 miles from a dealer, i got the extended warranty, however i would still like to know what to look for as far as common problems, they replaced both tires and the fork seals before i picked it up. i heard a bit about this oil starvation problem and what not... any pointers? thanks in advance!!!

ejmesq · 05-21-2008, 09:49 AM

On some of the ZX 11s the oil passages for #3 do not line up. Oil does not get to the rod and you have a failure. Mr. Turbo, out of Houston Texas http://www.Mrturbo.com/
will extensively modify you pan. $300.00 That modification will direct oil to that rod bearing. Check out their site for the information.

If you go this route buy a pan on E-bay and send it out. That way you do not keep your bike layed up while the work is being done.

Jeremy in AR · 05-21-2008, 10:32 AM

Keep your oil level at the top of the site glass.

Claude · 05-21-2008, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejmesq

On some of the ZX 11s the oil passages for #3 do not line up. Oil does not get to the rod and you have a failure. Mr. Turbo, out of Houston Texas http://www.Mrturbo.com/
will extensively modify you pan. $300.00 That modification will direct oil to that rod bearing. Check out their site for the information.

If you go this route buy a pan on E-bay and send it out. That way you do not keep your bike layed up while the work is being done.

Well, more or less true. Yes, there is a precise spot (on the crankshaft) where the oil passage is not perfectly aligned with the main bearing. However, this is present on each and every ZX-11 I've read about, even those that made 50k and even 75k miles without any problem. So this is not THE main cause for #3 failure.

And yes, having an oil pan bypass kit can help but many riders blew #3 anyway even with such a kit installed. The best (and cheapest) way to avoid it are:
- Oil level at the top of sight window
- No wheelie
- No high speed/high RPM riding for long period
- Using a good engine oil

98GSTSpyder · 05-21-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claude

Well, more or less true. Yes, there is a precise spot (on the crankshaft) where the oil passage is not perfectly aligned with the main bearing. However, this is present on each and every ZX-11 I've read about, even those that made 50k and even 75k miles without any problem. So this is not THE main cause for #3 failure.

And yes, having an oil pan bypass kit can help but many riders blew #3 anyway even with such a kit installed. The best (and cheapest) way to avoid it are:
- Oil level at the top of sight window
- No wheelie
- No high speed/high RPM riding for long period
- Using a good engine oil

which engine oil would you suggest and what weight?

ninja11zx · 05-21-2008, 05:02 PM

just do what jeremy and claude said. every set of cases i have had has the aligment problem with the main bearing. i use mobil 1

98GSTSpyder · 05-21-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninja11zx

just do what jeremy and claude said. every set of cases i have had has the aligment problem with the main bearing. i use mobil 1

weight?

ejmesq · 05-21-2008, 05:32 PM

Claude:

The ZX 11 is so fast and the redline is so high. We weekly go out on 300 mile rides.

What do you consider high speed/RPM riding? 100-110 is not a strain. California highways, long desert highways and the speed can easily stay up there.

Claude · 05-21-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98GSTSpyder

which engine oil would you suggest and what weight?

A good quality oil (not el cheapo Walmart brand). As for weight, most common is 10W40 and some are using 20W50 or 15W40 depending or your climate and brand of oil.

Claude · 05-21-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejmesq

Claude:

The ZX 11 is so fast and the redline is so high. We weekly go out on 300 mile rides.

What do you consider high speed/RPM riding? 100-110 is not a strain. California highways, long desert highways and the speed can easily stay up there.

In my book, the 11 is idling at 100~110 mph. I was more thinking at something at or over 155~160 mph for more than a few miles. But this is just my humble opinion; some others will think differently.

ninja11zx · 05-21-2008, 06:51 PM

i run mobil 10w30.

Claude · 05-22-2008, 10:34 AM

Oh and mine is Motul 5100 10W40.

crashtech · 05-22-2008, 07:33 PM

I will prolly get blasted for this but i run castrol syntech 15w50 summer and 5w40 winter and have run it in all my bikes 2000 and above. My old 750 turbo I ran castrol gtx 20w50. NEVER any oil related issues. I agree with Claude...just buy name brand and keep it changed on a regular besis.

98GSTSpyder · 06-29-2008, 02:46 PM

so ive put a little more than 1000k miles on it since i bought it...i ride hard so im thinking i might wanna change the oil soon...from what i read above i should be using regular motor oil? does the type of oil affect the clutch at all? i plan on dragracing this bike often any good oil for that?