2023 Honda CRF300L Oil and Filter Change - Page 1

Applicable to other model years (see below)

This is a step-by-step guide to changing the oil and oil filter on a Honda CRF300L. It is based on the author’s observations and experience changing the oil and oil filter on a 2023 Honda CRF300L and on information contained in the official Honda CRF300L service manual, 2021 (no. 61K9903) which covers model years 2021 - 2022. The author is not aware of any mechanical changes to the CRF300L for the model years 2023-2024, so this guide should apply to those as well.

Disclosure: While the author has attempted to provide correct and complete information, sometimes errors or omissions may occur. By using this document and following the procedures and advice below, the user assumes all risk and responsibility for injury or damage to their motorcycle. The author has been servicing motorcycles for many years (not as a profession) and is mostly self-taught (no formal training in motorcycle servicing). It is recommended that you consult the Honda CRF300L owner’s manual and/or service manual.

By learning to change the oil and oil filter, you can save money, learn more about your bike, gain the satisfaction of maintaining your bike yourself, as well as saving yourself a lot of inconvenience. There is nothing technically challenging about the procedure. Use the correct tools and supplies for the job, and take your time. Read all of the instructions before beginning.

Supplies you may need

• 10W-30 motorcycle oil (1.5 litres)
• new Honda oil filter
• new gasket for the oil filter cover
• new sealing washer for the oil drain bolt
• clean funnel for adding oil to engine (optional if you're careful)
• funnel for pouring dirty oil into containers for disposal
• rags and/or shop towels
• disposable gloves (nitrile)
• drain pan or pail to drain used oil into
• newspaper or cardboard to protect floor from spills
• newspaper and tape to redirect oil from oil filter housing once opened

Tools you need or may find helpful

• torque wrench accurate at 12 and 24 N.m
• 12 mm socket and ratchet for removing the oil drain bolt
• 8 mm socket, ratchet and a 4-inch or 6-inch extension for the oil filter cover bolts

Information From Honda CRF300L Service Manual

There is very little in the way of instructions in the CRF300L service manual (unlike the other Honda service manuals that I have). I will supplement what there is with instructions from the 2011-2012 Honda CBR250RA service manual as the CRF300L motor is closely related to the CBR250R motor (they share a lot of the same parts). The CRF300L owner's manual does not provide any instructions for changing the oil.

• Warm up the engine.
• Stop the engine and remove the oil filler cap.
• Place a drain pan under the engine oil drain bolt to catch the oil.
• Remove the oil drain bolt and sealing washer.
• Drain the engine oil completely.
• Install a new sealing washer on the drain bolt.
• Apply engine oil to the drain bolt threads and seating surface.
• Install and tighten the drain bolt with sealing washer to the specified torque: 24 N.m (18 lbf.ft).
• Remove the following: oil filter cover bolts (4), oil filter cover with spring and gasket.
• Remove the oil filter.
• Install the new oil filter with the "OUT-SIDE" mark facing out. Note: installing the oil filter backwards will result in severe engine damage. [Road and Trail: the "OUT-SIDE" mark may be absent on some Honda oil filters. The rubber seal and hole face inwards.]
• Install the oil filter spring into the oil filter cover.
• Install the oil filter cover with a new gasket.
• Install and tighten the bolts securely.
• Fill the engine with the recommended engine oil.
• Check the oil level (see below).
• Make sure there are no oil leaks.

Checking The Oil Level (according to service manual)

• Hold the motorcycle upright (on level ground).
• Start the engine and let it idle for 3-5 minutes.
• Stop the engine and wait 2 - 3 minutes.
• Check the oil level in the inspection window.
• If the oil level is below the lower mark [or a just a bit above], remove the oil filler cap and fill the crankcase with the recommended oil to the upper mark.
• Check that the O-ring on the oil filler cap is in good condition, and replace if necessary.
• Apply engine oil to the O-ring of the cap.
• Install the oil filler cap.

Go to the next page for more detailed instructions and photos.