Beginners Guide to a Full Oil Change

By:DSM8

So after reading through and searching for an oil change how too guide I found a couple different ones in the H.O.W. but noticed that in all of them there were some little but rather obvious steps that need to be taken which were not so apparent to a noob doing their first oil change (that would be me) so I decided to do a quick write-up of what has to come off and show pics of what’s what during the oil change.

I am not going to bother with bolt size or tell you how to disconnect your hoses at the tanks etc. If you’re uncomfortable doing that then an oil change would be best done by your local KTM dealer.



Remove the clip on fuse block cover.

Remove the glove box inset – 4 screws.

Remove the upper fairing panel – 5 bolts

I didn’t take specific photos of this since it differs between the 950 and 990 but you should know how to do it if your going this far. The headlight assembly etc does not have to come off.

Remove the Tank – 3 bolts


Remove the skid plate – 4 bolts

Now the bike is all stripped and you almost ready to begin.


These are the major pieces you have to get out of the way to do your oil change and make it easier. One tip given to me by Rider914 was to place a 2x4 under one side of the center stand this will allow a lot more of the oil to drain from your tank and filter area.


It works (as you can tell by the mess). It is also advisable to have a means of directing the oil with either a piece of plastic or tinfoil etc. use your imagination on this one. It will work for you.

1st off crack open the filler cap on the oil tank, this will allow it to drain quickly.

Now remove the drain plug, this is where the funnel you made to help direct the oil comes into play since there is a wonderful piece of aluminum directly beneath the drain plug, don’t use a funnel at your own risk.




I figured you don’t need a picture of draining oil so while it is draining inspect the magnet on the drain plug for metal. Shaving are expected, big pieces are not.

Now you want to drain the crank case. This is the large bolt on the bottom of the motor (17mm IIRC).



Now after reinstalling the drain plug (you did remember to use the washer right?) remove the oil filter, it is on the same side of the bike below in front of the foot peg.


It says oil filter on it, held in place by two bolts. A lot of oil will come out with the filter so be aware of this. Use either a magnet or needle nose pliers to remove the filter, inspect the O ring on the cover and when done draining install the new filter.

Now is the time to inspect the old filter for a leaking water pump. If you see wavy pleats in the filter that indicated there is water in the system. Time to check you H2O pump. Otherwise the filter should look just like the new one.


Make sure to push it in all the way (rubber side IN) and then reinstall the cover. Don’t go torque crazy on those bolts they are small and strip easy. I use anti-seize on them but that is a personal choice.

Next up is screen # 1, it is inside the port the hose right next to the drain plug is bolted to.


Here is the check valve – you don’t do anything with this I just liked the picture.


Here is the screen – stick your finger in the hole and remove it gently. It took very little pressure to get it out.




It just slides out of the hole, check, clean and reinstall.

Now onto the other screen, on the other side.
It is located right below the rear brake lever.


A LOT of oil will come out when you remove the cover, I was not expecting this and made a royal mess of the garage. Pissed off, but no one ever said anything about that in what I read so I am saying it here.


A LOT OF OIL!
BIG MESS!
BE READY!!!

You can’t really make it out but there is a small flat plastic screen thingy in there, note how it came out it only goes back in one way properly.

Well once you clean it off and reinstall the screen and cover you are about done. While you have the bike apart this much already now is a really good time to check your air filter and pre filter if you got one. Mine were dirty after just 600 miles of dirt I was really surprised at how dirty.


I hope this works well for you and this combined with the other How Too threads on the oil change will give you a really good picture of what to expect when doing it for the first time. Take your time it is a pain in the ass and time consuming but nice to see it all back together when it is done.

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