Changing the oil filter on my XJ650

Me again,
Finally got my hands on good old 20w40 mineral oil 4T..
Its not available in Ireland.. So changed the oil...but just wondering if it makes a difference which way the new filter fits into the filter housing.?
I put it in the same way the old one was placed. I also noticed when I removed the oil bung in the pan that the magnetic tip came away from the bolt. I cleaned it out and got it back in with gentle taps from a small hammer.
Just afraid that it could come away again and end up circulating in the engine. Is this possible.?

Lastly..It looks like it makes no difference which way the oil filter housing goes.I figured there would be a notch or something to locate it but it doesnt seem to be the case.
Oh..And I took the advice here and left the second smaller drain plug alone.
As always,
Thanks all,
Morg.

 

Yes, there's an "up" and "down" to the filter housing.

The taller/deeper fins go UP, and there's a small peg that should catch between two of the fins on the motor that keeps it from just spinning.

The filter goes into the housing with the flat side toward the motor; the concave side of the filter faces the front of the bike, with the spring and washer between it and the cover.

 

Thanks BigFitz.
On the question regarding the smell of gas in the oil..
Can gas get into the oil if the petcock is not on prime or reserve.?
Reason I ask is the oil that was changed was very black..The petcock peed gas from the over flow tube when I had her on prime but I knocked to on as soon as I noticed. Took her for a spin and changed the oil then.
So I'm wondering if the slight smell of gas that I get now in the crank is just the residue from the old oil that was changed.. I dont want to go to the expense of changing it again unless its important.
And will my starter clutch start to behave now I have the correct oil in her.?
Thanks again,
Morg.

 

Prime and reserve are two different things. Reserve is vacuum operated, just like "on." Prime is the only position in which fuel is supposed to flow all the time. However, a petcock issue can quite often cause it to flow all the time, regardless of position. This could "enable" a stuck float to fill the crankcase with gas.

The petcock didn't pee gas from anywhere; the carbs did. Which indicates a stuck float. Which can cause gas in the oil, regardless of petcock position or problems.

Your petcock may be fine; for sure you have a carb issue, not the other way around.

 

Thanks Big Fitz.
Just took her for a spin though and she seems fine..Would a sticky float not cause her to run like a pig.? And should I change the oil again.? I only changed it yesterday after the fuel peed out.

 

There are two ways a float could get stuck: opened or closed. Of course if the float is stuck closed, you won't have any gas in the crankcase, but the engine will obviously run on 3 cylinders only (one exhaust pipe will be cold).

If the float is stuck opened, this carb will get flooded with gas as soon as the engine runs, the engine would certainly not run as good, as could be and you WILL have gas in the crankcase.

You will also have gas in the crankcase if you have a leaky petcock AND a float stuck opened at the same time, engine running or stopped won't make any difference.

 

Thanks quebecois59.
I had the carbs cleaned only recently and have an inline filter.
God these old bikes are a labour of love.

 

Honestly, if you take the time to get them right, you don't have to continually worry about such things. Last season, I slipped up and left my petcock on PRI for at least a couple of days, and nothing bad happened.

 

Agreed, a well sorted carb will give no problems at all for a long time. I got very lazy with my old CX500 after forgetting to switch on a few times & used to leave the petrooster on all the time.

 

Guys..
To change the oil or not to change the oil that is the question hehe.
I can get a slight smell of gas from the oil filler but only changed the old oil yesterday. This oil most likely had gas in it so I am assuming the smell I am getting is the residue from it.

 

Hey morg,

If you had gas in your oil, you will likely need 2 changes to get it out. I did.

And oil is a small price compared to the damage of the gas in it.

If you smell it then consider that a sign that some gas remains.

 

Buy since you are making a wise choice by not messing with the middle gear drain, you will need to put some miles on it to circulate the rest of the tainted oil through so that it gets the rest of the gas out.

It took me 3 oil changes before the petrol smell disappeared completely.