FLUID WARNING

[TWOWHEELCOWBOY]

Hi all, just a heads up. Checked my Final drive it was 2 OUNCES LOW, Anti Freeze a couple of slashes low, Motor Oil,JUST REGISTERING ON THE DIP STICK. Wow either Toby the Robot was having a bad day, or someone at Honda isn't paying attention. Wish I would of checked it the day I picked it up.

[AZgl1800]

the makes at least the 3rd post I have read on this topic of Low Fluid Levels from the factory.

What this means, is the dealerships are NOT taking the time to Properly Inspect and do their Due Diligence to ensure that everything is as it should be.

Drop the straps off the crate, roll it out the door, and Goodbye senior.

[DaveO430]

What this means, is the dealerships are NOT taking the time to Properly Inspect and do their Due Diligence to ensure that everything is as it should be.

That is exactly what the dealer tech is supposed to do. I did that on motorcycles a long long time ago and did it on new cars for many years. It's called pre-delivery inspection. Unfortunately it's usually the lowest paid guy that does most of them.

[TWOWHEELCOWBOY]

I agree, I also worked at motorcycle & car dealerships, most of the tech’s are on flat rate pay meaning if it pays 1.0 = 1 hour to uncreate, Assemble mirrors Windshield etc, and wash. If it take the tech more than an hour he is losing money. So all those items on the PDI list never get checked. Which points the finger at the factory, why are they sending the bikes out with low fluids?

[Asphaltmaniac]

What this means, is the dealerships are NOT taking the time to Properly Inspect and do their Due Diligence to ensure that everything is as it should be.

That is exactly what the dealer tech is supposed to do. I did that on motorcycles a long long time ago and did it on new cars for many years. It's called pre-delivery inspection. Unfortunately it's usually the lowest paid guy that does most of them.

Tell me about it last year took my wheels down to honda always have them swap and balance my tires...The lowest paid guy didn't take the OLD weights off before balancing and adding more weights....I said .......what the He!!. Cant find good help nowhere these days.......sad.

[doxbike]

FWIW, it can take an hour for the oil to drain out of the dip stick tube to give an accurate reading- until then the oil may read over the upper mark. give it a little time. On my 1500 I didn't see that long a lag time

[MarcGL1800B]

I bought a 2018 GL1800B 3 days ago. I have 350 miles on it now. I checked the oil using the procedure in the manual. It specifically states to not screw the dip stick in when checking the level. The oil just touches the bottom of the stick. I called the dealer. Their mechanic said Honda told them to screw in the dip stick when checking the level. The mechanic said the manual is wrong. Everything I read backs up the manual.

[Stew]

I bought a 2018 GL1800B 3 days ago. I have 350 miles on it now. I checked the oil using the procedure in the manual. It specifically states to not screw the dip stick in when checking the level. The oil just touches the bottom of the stick. I called the dealer. Their mechanic said Honda told them to screw in the dip stick when checking the level. The mechanic said the manual is wrong. Everything I read backs up the manual.

Uh yeah, I would be inclined to believe the Honda engineers who wrote the book over a mechanic that works at a dealer. Heck, even my 1500 says don't screw it in while checking.

[WingAdmin]

I bought a 2018 GL1800B 3 days ago. I have 350 miles on it now. I checked the oil using the procedure in the manual. It specifically states to not screw the dip stick in when checking the level. The oil just touches the bottom of the stick. I called the dealer. Their mechanic said Honda told them to screw in the dip stick when checking the level. The mechanic said the manual is wrong. Everything I read backs up the manual.

The mechanic is wrong. All Goldwings that have ever been made with a dipstick (the new 2018 included) have the same procedure checking the oil: Remove dipstick, clean dipstick, replace dipstick but DO NOT SCREW IN, remove and read oil level.

From the 2018 GL1800 owner's manual:

2018 GL1800 Oil reading instructions

And just for reference: The previous versions:

2017 GL1800 Oil reading instructions

GL1500 Oil reading instructions

GL1200 Oil reading instructions

[TWOWHEELCOWBOY]

This is been the procedure with every HONDA I've owned for the past 40 years Dirt bikes, ATV's, Sport bike 750's, CBX, WINGS From 1985 to present 2018. NOT SCREWING IN THE DIP STICK. Very important though to not check it COLD, START AND RUN 3 TO 5 MINUTES AS THE MANUAL STATES.

[earlddavis1]

I would like to add to ensure the bike is standing up straight when you check your fluids, sitting on the side stand or the center stand on an unlevel surface will give you a false reading. Often factories ship with low fluid levels for a number of reasons. Saves on the price of fluids save on the price of shipping weight, etc. I have worked for two motorcycle dealerships and 3 auto/truck dealerships and found low fluids many times. We even had a spat of no bulb in the tail lights once. Starters with the wrong drive, so they all turned the wrong way to lock up.
Things happen, do tour T-CLOCS

[RJL]

Same here, picked up the bike 3 weeks ago, checked the oil after my 1st ride (150 miles) and it didn't touch the dipstick!!! Made me wonder what else wasn't checked. Other than the front tire being 10lbs low, all else was OK.