I think I got screwed by the shop.

[BranNwebster]

A couple of weeks ago I took my FZ to get it's 600mi checkup and paid 215 dollars US. Well this week, at 1000 miles, I decided to change my oil myself. Well let me tell you that was the tightest oil filter I have ever had to remove and the oil was pretty dirty with a strong smell of gasoline all this with only 400 miles since the supposed last oil change? I don't think they did a thing.

I know one thing, it almost feels like I removed the engine and replaced it with an electric motor. It's so smooth now and it screams give me more rpm. I know some of you know what I'm talking about

Repsol 10W50 Racing Synthetic with a Pure One Filter

 

[Doorag]

Sounds a bit dodgy to me, but you can never be sure.

I just had my 6K service and I'm going to do another oil change myself to put full synthetic in along with a high-flow filter.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

You should save the oil and show it to them and try to prove that they never changed the oil.

 

[cashcrzzy]

On ford cars the original oil filter has markings that the replacement filters don't If you still have the filter you might want to check it !! When I hit 500 I did my own so I did not look at the filter but it was very hard to get off ...
Greg A.

 

[grommit]

I'm sure Yamaha would be interested to know that their dealer is not doing the job.

 

[Tailgate]

I don't know about the shop business (I'm a DIY'er so I KNOW what's been done and save a bundle) but, yeah, that oil filter is a bear to get off. I ended up using my biggest pair of vice grips---and the previous filter I, myself, had screwed on (I didn't think that I had overtorqued it). I must have a filter "cup" or "cap" type wrench slightly too large because it barely grips the end of the filter. Incidentally, I switched from Yamalube oil/filter to a Purlolator Pure One oil filter and Mobil One M/C synthetic 20-40. Not sure if running synthetic is worth the extra cost unless I now skip the next oil change and I don't know if I want to do that.

 

[jamesfz6]

A couple of weeks ago I took my FZ to get it's 600mi checkup and paid 215 dollars US. Well this week, at 1000 miles, I decided to change my oil myself. Well let me tell you that was the tightest oil filter I have ever had to remove and the oil was pretty dirty with a strong smell of gasoline all this with only 400 miles since the supposed last oil change? I don't think they did a thing.

I know one thing, it almost feels like I removed the engine and replaced it with an electric motor. It's so smooth now and it screams give me more rpm. I know some of you know what I'm talking about

Repsol 10W50 Racing Synthetic with a Pure One Filter

Which dealer did you take it to? Texas Yamaha in webster? I wish you would have asked us on the forum first about first services. We would have told you not to waste your time and money. All they do for a first service is change the oil and check the air filter. If you would have asked i would have had you come over to my house and i would have changed it for you for free. It would have cost you around 20 or 30 bucks versus 215. If you need any help in the furture give me a call, i work on bikes on the side with my dad. He has a shop in santa fe we work out of, so if you need anything give me a call. Anything minor like adjustments and oil changes and air filter changes, i will do for free for you, as long as you bring in the parts needed. Like the oil, filters, and any chain lube that might be needed. Since you are a member of the best website on the planet i will help you out.:Sport: I'll send you a PM with my name, like you couldnt guess it, and my number.

 

[Scott64a]

Hmmm... The stealership also recommended I have them do the first oil change, too, so they could go around and check all the bolts, etc.

I did my check up on all the bolts after 300 miles, and made sure nothig was coming loose, but then, I did that after I got it home and after the first couple of rides. Nothing was loose except the throttle tension adjuster near the handgrip, so I got it where I wanted it and snugged it up.

As for the oil change, I bought three liters of O'Reilly cheap-o SAE10W40 and a Wix filter, the longer one that fit it, (cross-referenced to PureOne,) and changed it yesterday at 488 miles.

I don't need a bike shop for this type of maintenance...
The whole "job" cost me $13.28 and it runs great!

(Boy, that original oil from the break in sure made things clunky and not smooth.)

At around 1100 miles or so I'll switch to Rotella-T 5W40 full synthetic, with a PureOne filter.

I bet it runs nicer still after that!

Those oil filters are tough to get off, so if you have a band-style filter wrench, slip a washcloth over the filter, slide your wrench on it, and cinch it snug. Then commence to loosening it.

works like a charm.

 

[Hollow]

Which dealer did you take it to? Texas Yamaha in webster? I wish you would have asked us on the forum first about first services. We would have told you not to waste your time and money. All they do for a first service is change the oil and check the air filter. If you would have asked i would have had you come over to my house and i would have changed it for you for free. It would have cost you around 20 or 30 bucks versus 215. If you need any help in the furture give me a call, i work on bikes on the side with my dad. He has a shop in santa fe we work out of, so if you need anything give me a call. Anything minor like adjustments and oil changes and air filter changes, i will do for free for you, as long as you bring in the parts needed. Like the oil, filters, and any chain lube that might be needed. Since you are a member of the best website on the planet i will help you out.:Sport: I'll send you a PM with my name, like you couldnt guess it, and my number.

If you read in your manual I believe it tells you to take it the first time to the dealer because your oil has to be change along with the filter. But most importantly you have to have your valves adjusted. Then not to mention you may risk voiding your warranty if you don't let a certified tech adjust the valves and change the oil the first time.

 

[wodger]

Over in UK I am getting first service free (just pay for oil & filter). Until they tell me I need to do this and then that!! Do they not have anything the same over there? Can you not negotiate for first free service?

 

[hot4teach]

Valve adjustment isn't until 26,600 miles. You will not void any warranty by changing your own oil, checking your fluids, checking levers and swithches, lubing the chain, checking for exhaust leaks, checking engine idle speed, and checking lights. That about covers the 600 mile service.

 

[Tailgate]

If you read in your manual I believe it tells you to take it the first time to the dealer because your oil has to be change along with the filter. But most importantly you have to have your valves adjusted. Then not to mention you may risk voiding your warranty if you don't let a certified tech adjust the valves and change the oil the first time.

Hollow: I don't mean to sound rude but...don't be a chump. I know you mean well and use the operative verb "may" but still, if a shop balks at honoring the factory warranty over that it's time to contact coporate relations. Congress also passed a law prohibiting such practice (voiding factory warranties to DIY'ers). I can't quote the law but it's been posted on FZ6 Forum (is it HavBlue?) somewhere.

 

[jamesfz6]

If you read in your manual I believe it tells you to take it the first time to the dealer because your oil has to be change along with the filter. But most importantly you have to have your valves adjusted. Then not to mention you may risk voiding your warranty if you don't let a certified tech adjust the valves and change the oil the first time.

You dont need to take it to them and it will not void your warranty. It is just a way for them to cash in on people who think changing oil on a motorcycle is hard. And i dont know if my manual came with different paper in it than everyone elses, but my manual says the recommended valve adjustment is to be done at 26,000 miles, not the first service. I could see adjusting the valves after 600 miles if we rode GP bikes but not the fz. I have done a lot of work on bikes and i have had people pay to get the valves adjusted and i cant remember too many that needed it. The ones i did have to adjust had 40,000+ miles on them and they werent even bad enough to hinder the performance of the machine. Change your oil your self. You will all save money and get some motorcycle knowledge out of it. Not a bad combination if you ask me.

 

[hot4teach]

Hollow: I don't mean to sound rude but...don't be a chump. I know you mean well and use the operative verb "may" but still, if a shop balks at honoring the factory warranty over that it's time to contact coporate relations. Congress also passed a law prohibiting such practice (voiding factory warranties to DIY'ers). I can't quote the law but it's been posted on FZ6 Forum (is it HavBlue?) somewhere.

It's called the Magnuson-Moss Warrany Act.

 

[mglowe]

... But most importantly you have to have your valves adjusted. Then not to mention you may risk voiding your warranty if you don't let a certified tech adjust the valves and change the oil the first time.

Wooah Trigger!!!!! Check and adjust valve clearance is every 26,600 miles.

Dealers should not be touching valves at 600 miles.

As far as getting ripped off... a learning experience. Unless you physically see pistons and rings our bike really doesn't need a lot of wrenching. Change the oil and filters regularly, check fluids, and don't sweat the small stuff.

Have fun!

 

[Jericho941]

This thread has been very helpful. I've been wondering if doing the 600 mile oil change myself would be kosher. I worked on cars for 2 years and have changed alot of oil in cars and wanted to not take my bike back to the dealer so soon. Where do you guys get your filters from? Can they be found at normal auto parts stores?

 

[lilleman]

Where I live (In Sweden) Yamaha Motorbikes are under warranty for 5 years all you have to do is follow the service intervalls based on milage or a check up service (comparable to first service) every year. If not done you'll void the warranty. Ofcourse you can change the oil yourself, adjust chain slack etc but rember to do it by the book or else in case of a engine break down your warranty will be worth nothing.

 

[Fred]

This thread has been very helpful. I've been wondering if doing the 600 mile oil change myself would be kosher. I worked on cars for 2 years and have changed alot of oil in cars and wanted to not take my bike back to the dealer so soon. Where do you guys get your filters from? Can they be found at normal auto parts stores?

I have done all the services myself (all two of them, hah!)
For now I'm sticking with Yamaha filters and lube to keep the warranty folks happy. And I'm saving every single receipt as well as keeping a logbook of all work performed.

Fred

 

[BranNwebster]

This thread has been very helpful. I've been wondering if doing the 600 mile oil change myself would be kosher. I worked on cars for 2 years and have changed alot of oil in cars and wanted to not take my bike back to the dealer so soon. Where do you guys get your filters from? Can they be found at normal auto parts stores?

I got the Purolator pure one it's the longer on by about 1/2 in.

part num PL14610

And you can get it anywhere it's the same one that fits my Nissan Altima

 

[VEGASRIDER]

This thread has been very helpful. I've been wondering if doing the 600 mile oil change myself would be kosher. I worked on cars for 2 years and have changed alot of oil in cars and wanted to not take my bike back to the dealer so soon. Where do you guys get your filters from? Can they be found at normal auto parts stores?

+1 On the Purolator One filters, they even come in Yamaha Blue.

Here's a link that Wrightme43 posted, amazing what you can find on this forum. You can find all of your answers.

http://www.600riders.com/forum/fz6-technical/204-oil-filters-will-fit.html