Guide to changing the oil on an LC4

How to change the oil and filter on a KTM LC4

Revised on 10-26
This guide pertains to the following models: Adventure, SMC, Duke II & LC4E and is intended for the beginner.
Some of the "tricks" described may be advantageous to the more seasoned owner. By no means is this guide to be construed as the "best" or only way to do this job. It is simply the way that works for me. Read it at your own peril.

If you have read the previously posted valve inspect/adjust guide, you already know I'm a big fan of a clean and tranquil work space. No pets, wife, kids, gerbils... whatever.
Drifty likes to play his laid back blues music, ... but if Godsmack relaxes and focuses your mind... Crank it!
Successful wrenching is good mental therapy...

Tool list

This list is for the '03 and later 640 Adventure. There appear to be a number of fastener and plug variations for prior years.
The most notable differences are the switch from "outside" to "inside" frame drain locations; the size of frame filler plug and the change from a cartridge filter cover o-ring to a gasket.

Revison 10-26-04
After input from Rad, rapiti, Markjenn and dirtrider... we have come to the conclusion that KTM if fond of making running changes in production without updating reference material. :eek1
As far as I can tell, in mid '01 KTM switched from the o-ring cartridge filter cover to a gasketed cover. The lower right frame section, unless someone has more accurate data, remained a oval tube until, as far as we can tell... mid '02, at which time the section was replace with a "low profile" casting, making filter cover access considerably easier. So, if you have a early '02 or earlier it will have oval tube... a late '02 or later will have the flat casting.

With input from valued members, we will attempt to cover variations as they arrise, if someone runs into something important, let me know and I will continue to revise the guide.

1. 19mm socket. (Front lower crankcase drain plug)
2. 17mm socket. (Frame fill plug for '03 and later & K&N filter "nut")
3. 13mm socket. (Rear lower crankcase transmission drain plug)
4. 8mm socket. (Cartridge filter cover, sprocket cover, engine guard and fairing bolts)
5. Philips #2 screwdriver (neutral switch screw)
6. 4mm Allen wrench (frame drain screw for '03 and later)
7. a low value torque wrench (if you don't have a "calibrated" wrist) :huh
8. Funnels in assorted sizes

Other "tools" you'll need... I promise to explain why later, really.
1. A short (6" or so) length of 2"X4"
2. 12" of 3/8" surgical tubing ('03 and later)
3. 12" of smaller surgical or other flexible tubing ('02 and earlier)
4. Tapered rubber stopper (size can vary, dependant on year)
5. 2" of 3/16" O.D. copper tubing
6. 20" of 3/16" I.D. clear hose
7. Spray or rub-on light waterproof lubricant

Parts
1. 2 quarts of oil... As we don't want this to turn into an oil thread, whatever brand you and your "oil expert" buddies like to use.
2. 1 spin-on filter... see "oil"
3. 1 cartridge filter...
4. 1 cartridge filter cover gasket (mid '01and later) or o-ring (early '01 and earlier)
5. Drain plug crush washers. (This is optional, as they can be used several times they're not real critical)



Out with the old!

1. The engine should be warm to the touch. 10-15 minutes of riding is more than enough. The idea here is to get the oil warm and sufficiently circulated to pick up and suspend any condensation or particulates in the engine.

2. The bike should be level. Centerstand or lift... whatever works for you.

3. If you've doing this on an Adventure, for the first time, go ahead and remove the fairing. Once you have done the oil change, then you can decide if you need to remove the fairing the next time. If you're not doing this on an Adventure... You lucky bastard you.

It takes 3 minutes to pull 6 bolts, 2 electrical connectors and 4 rubber grommets.

It's easier to see and get to the frame filler plug with the fairing removed.



4. Remove the engine guard.

5. Remove the oil filter. If you're using a K&N filter, as shown in the photo, a 17mm socket fits the "nut" on the end of the filter. Don't forget the drain pan!

6. Remove the frame drain plug; dependant on the year, inside under the filter, or outside and slightly above and to the right, and allow the frame to drain completely.



7. Remove the front and rear lower crankcase drain plugs, and allow the engine to drain completely.
Do not touch the Allen plug!

8. Remove the 2 bolts that retain the plastic transmission sprocket cover.
Loosen the Philips screw holding the neutral switch wire (green) and disconnect the wire.

9. Remove the 3 bolts that retain the cartridge oil filter cover. Pull the brake pedal down and pull the cover away. Depending on brake adjustment, I have heard that it may be necessary to remove the brake pedal for improved access to the filter cover. Remove the cartridge filter and allow the cavity to drain.
9.1 Revision 10-26-04
On models prior to '03, clearance between the frame and cartridge filter cover may be limited. It may be nesseccary to remove the banjo bolt and oil lines from the from the cover prior to removing the cover itself. The photo immediately below shows the previously mentioned "03 model "low profile" frame casting.



In with the new!

1. Clean the drain plugs thoroughly with a rubber compatible solvent that will not damage the sealing edge on the crankcase drain plug screen. I use a strong magnet to remove steel metal filings, if any, from the drain plugs.

The ones in the photo have not been cleaned... yet.



2. Clean the drain plug, cartridge filter and spin-on filter sealing surfaces.

3. Reinstall the three drain plugs in the crankcase and frame. Do not over-torque these fasteners.

4. Pour a small amount of oil into the new spin-on filter and install it.
I like to put a dab of paint on the frame and spin-on filter as witness marks, this makes it easy to spot a filter coming loose.



5. After removing the old gasket or o-ring, clean the cartridge filter cover gasket surface and apply a few dabs of Halomar or other non-hardening, non-silicone gasket sealant to hold the new gasket or o-ring in place.
5.1 Revison. See "Out with the old..." item 9.1

6. Install the new cartridge filter with the "hole" facing out, replace the cover. Again, do not over-torque these fasteners.

7. Re-attach the neutral switch wire.

8. Re-install the sprocket cover. The longer of the two screws goes in the bottom.

9. Re-install the engine guard.

And last but not least...

1. Fill the crankcase with the correct amount of fresh oil. 1.3 Liters.

2. Remove the frame filler plug.

3. Using a small outlet funnel, attach the length of surgical hose to the outlet end and insert it into the filler hole.
If you've ever followed the method "recommended" by KTM, you already know it sucks completely and literally. Apparently, the concept of vacuum eluded the KTM service technical writers when they wrote their version in the owners manual.
3.1 Revision 1-3-05
Models prior to '03 have a much smaller filler plug on the steering head. The tools used and methods discribed in this guide were designed for and have been used on '03 and later only. Dimensions of tools and variations of method will need to be "adjusted" to compensate... sorry.



4. Pour the correct measured amount of oil (this is where the Ratio-Rite comes in handy... 600ML) into the funnel and allow it to drain into the frame. If you have a pressure filling device such as a grease pump bottle or air "pressurizeable" bottle... even better.

This is where we get to use the other "tools".

1. Drill a hole of adequate diameter thru the center of the tapered rubber stopper so that the copper tubing is a snug fit into it. Attach the clear hose to the large diameter end of the copper tubing.
It should look similar to the "burping tool" in the photo when you are finished.



2. Remember the 2"X4"?
Lever your bike to the right and place the 2"X4" under the left center stand leg. Don't worry, it won't fall over... probably. This lets the oil in the frame sit at a "temporary" higher level.



3. Insert the rubber stopper into the filler plug and route the clear hose upwards.



4. With your thumb over the kill button, start the engine and watch for oil to come out of the clear hose...
THE SECOND IT DOES, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. :eek1

5. Now that you have your bike leaning precariously to the right with a hose full of oil hanging out of it... what do you do next?
Get an empty bottle and turn the hose into it, allowing it to drain completely. Remove the wood block from under the stand and level the bike. You can now remove the frame burp tool and no oil should pour out of the frame.
Re-install your frame plug.

If you've done this correctly, this may be first time you've ever changed your oil without making a mess all over the bike and garage floor. If this is your very first time doing this job... you'll never know how much "fun" you've missed.

Additional information as of 05-07-06
After discussing the options, it's possible that the best way to burp the frame on an '02 and earlier 640 would be to install the filler bolt loosely in the frame, in other words, threaded in, but not quite all the way, then start the bike and wait for the oil to flow out past the threads. As soon as you see the oil, tighten the bolt... then shut off the engine.
Have a rag or two handy to soak up the oil that slides past... but if your quick about it, there should be a minimum of mess.
Truth be told, it may actually be the best way to do it on any year, as the hose trick is a little on the fiddly side of life


What was the waterproof lubricant for? :huh
To lube the rubber grommets in the fairing so they pop back into place a bit easier... and back out later when you do this again.

That's it. Put everything back together, take it for a 10-15 minute ride again, check the oil level and if needed, top it off.... yer' done bubba.

Chris Hickson

To print a copy of this guide, go to the top of the page and click on "Thread Tools" then click on "Show Printable Version"


I'd like to thank, for their contributions to this article :

Rad
PASSMORE
ChrisC
Drif10
Dagwood
markjenn
KTiM
rapiti
And dirtrider

Addendum: 03-11-2006
It's been suggested by a member that I include a brief disctiption of "what happens" when you start the engine to pump oil into the frame... and here is is!

Based on KTMs discription of the system, until the frame is pressurized, there is no pressureized oil going to the crank.
As this is only for 30 seconds or less at a fast idle, and the engine is already warm and well lubed (it was run to operating temperature prior to draining the oil... right?) and the crank rod bearing is rolling element... then it shouldn't be an issue.
There is pressure elsewhere in the engine, including the piston pin bearing and transmission. Everything else is lubricated via the ever popular "splash and drip" method.



It's been suggested more than once that it would be easier to overfill the engine, and allow the frame to fill from that oil... then top off the engine to the appropriate level after a few minutes of running.
The problem with this theory, which has merit from a "not screwing with the frame burp bullshit" perspective, is that the amount of time required to fill the frame and feed oil to the rod bearing is an unknown value.
Personally, I'd rather not risk the life of my rod bearing on that theory.

Some day, I'll have to do an experiment to see how long it takes to get oil pressure at the pinon shaft feed line... both with the standard frame fill and burp, and by filling the engine only, and waiting for the oil from the engine to fill the frame.
Maybe at about 50,000 miles, just before I rebuild the engine.

superCrepp

I read the valve adjusment guide with great interest and this one promise to be equally great,,for sure you have a way with Words..

thanks for bringing back ADVrider to the way it use to be,,helpful and possitive

thanks in the name of all of us

Thanks Ricky... I appriciate the kind words.

And now for all the "Creeper is an asshole" posts... let the carnage begin!

Thanks creeper! I had to do it today but couldn't wait for your tips and tricks, so I had a nice mess to clean up when I was done.

The stopper idea had occurred to me but I haven't gotten my shit together enough to assemble the right parts. Thanks for leading the way!

Your welcome kurtw.
Funny thing... I came up with the rubber stopper an oil change ago, and all by itself, it was still a mess.
It's the leaning the bike over on a 2X4 and "adjusting" the oil level relative to the hole that makes the whole thing work.

It's probably way to many fidgety little "do this, then do that" things for some people, but I hate mopping up spilt oil more than I hate a few extra steps.

Creep

It's not the extra steps that would threaten to deter me... it's the wandering lost around the hardware store with an assortment of parts that don't quite work together...then trying to explain to clerks what I'm trying to assemble...watching them scratch their heads...then following them around the hardware store while they fill a basket full of parts that don't quite work together... then...

Anyway, I now have a proven shopping list! Thanks again!

Come on... you love wandering around the hardware store looking for things to build a widget that you have a mental picture of, but not quite sure what those things are... don't cha?

Thanks Creep, I like your "how to" series

Just one very small thing, and I don't know if maybe it's a Euro/US thing but my '02 has a gasket for the cartridge filter cover and not an O ring. I bought it late '02 and waited untill Jan '03 to register it so maybe it caught the changeover?

Thanks KTiM... I'll make the revision.

Pretty cool. Nice job.

"Burp tool" Everbody should have one - not just for your bike either!

Excuse me sir, I'm supposed to put this stopper where???!!!! :eek1


Here's a suggestion for a V2.0 for your prime & burb tools:

Combine them. Use some clear flexible tubing off the funnel. Add rubber stopper to end. TA-da! Fill up to prime. Pour in balance. Start bike & wait for back flow. Could get even fancier by adding a shut off valve just behind the rubber stopper.

I guess I'm just old tech. I made a squeeze bottle that I can actually squeeze the oil out of. No burp tool for me. Never had that much of a mess. Just lucky I guess.

The only thing is... is that you want minimal "backflow from the "burp job", so a smaller hose is preferable... that, and once you shut the bike off, the oil doesn't flow back into the frame, the level is actually a bit higher than the fill hole, that's why you drain the excess out of the hose, then level the bike... to get the frame level below the fill hole.

I can't seem to avoid puking a half-cup of oil out every time I do it ... thats why I came up with the fitting and the 2X4.

Nice job, Chris

Mine is an 01 and uses the gasket, not the O-ring. The book says it should be the O-ring, but it ain't so.

I would suggest that when do'n the oil change the first time, buy the gasket the book specs but remove the cartridge cover and gasket very carefully incase it is the “other” type. This way you can reuse it and not make another trip to the shop.

We will let this run for a bit and when it is all sorted out then add it to the Halls of Da Smart Stuff with yur other one

Thanks again

Your such a jerk creeper!

you coulda popped this one out with the the valve adj. guide...

now Rad has to go to baldy TWICE and get something of yours posted to the League of Justice. :huh no that's not it... i mean the Hall of Wisdom.

Good job!!!

Oh yea.... these only took a few minutes to do. Hell, lemmy crank out an engine rebuild one here real quick..... done. will post in a few minutes after I add some smilies.

Nicely done -- and illustrated.

Now to convince the hardware store you're not rebuilding your backyard eggnog-fortifier in time for the pending holiday silly season.

The Royal Canuckistan Federales have no sense of humor when it comes to the issues of untaxed hooch.

RCMP has no sense of fun at all... other than the red coats of course.

Thanks Chris! I notice an "improvement" our Austrian friends made to the frame. The frame rail at the internal oil filter looks to be a welded in casting of some sort. You have heaps of clearance for getting the filter cover out. On my bike, the frame tube is merely ovalized a bit, and that filter is a real beyotch to change. Much easier now that I added the gasket-type cover, as I was rolling & pinching o-rings regularly. Adhesive would have helped. Anyway, another reason to be self-gratified to own an '03...even if the 1999s & 2000s are more visually appealing What year did this frame change take place? Running change?

It is interesting how KTM has a series of running changes to address the issues associated with oil changes on these beasts, like the mods to the frame and different gasket. I now understand why there is such variation in people's experiences - I thought it was mostly individual's particular tolerance for mechanical difficulty, but it is more variation in each bike.

Mine is an 00 and it has the "oval" frame tube which is a tight clearance, AND it has the crappy o-ring seal. Because of both, I find it makes a lot more sense just to remove the banjos completely, so that all I'm doing when I put the cover on is placing the filter in the recess, fishing the cover into the slot, and then pushing it down carefully, keeping the cover as perpendicular to the mating surface as I can. But I can see if you had a little more clearance and weren't so worried about pinching the o-ring, that leaving the banjos on would be fine.

Another tip on the o-ring: make sure the groove it fits into is clear of debris (or gasket sealer if someone PO has mistakedly used same). Only then will the o-ring fit down into the groove and be held down by the little nubs in the groove designed to keep it in place. Having the o-ring stay in place is critical to avoiding pinching it. If you pinch it, you're toast.

- Mark

Hi guys,

Thanks for the "particulars" fo your frame variations and "tribulations".
As you covered the change details of your frame style pretty well, hope you don't mind if I insert it into the guide. I'll try and do it this evening.

Creep