Proper Oil Level Verification Procedure on 1330-engined Spyders

[BRPcare]

Hi everyone,
There have been some questions on the right way for checking your oil on the 1330 engine. Below is the correct procedure:

Given the oil system design of the 1330 engine, oil level verification must be done under specific conditions which can influence the quantity of measurable oil in the engine.

These conditions are:

• Engine oil temperature must be between 80°C and 95°C (176°F and 203°F) which is considered as being the engine's normal operating temperature. Don't mistake coolant temperature for engine oil temperature! Coolant will heat up faster than the engine oil.
• Engine oil temperature is crucial since its volume changes based on temperature; that's enough to affect the measurable level.
• Engine must idle 10 minutes. The 1330 engine is a dry sump design with 3 scavenge pumps and 1 pressure pump, 10 minutes of idle time allows the scavenge pumps to stabilize the quantity of oil returned.

Complete oil level verification procedure:

1. Bring engine to operating temperature.
2. Ensure vehicle is on a level surface.
3. Allow engine to idle for 10 minutes.
4. Stop the engine.
5. Within 2 minutes of stopping the engine:
   
   1. Remove and wipe the dipstick clean.
   2. Insert dipstick and completely screw it in.
   3. Remove dipstick and read oil level on dipstick.
   
   
6. Adjust level as necessary without overfilling.

Tips and Tricks:

Here are 2 ways the crucial criteria can be reached:

• An engine started cold (20°C or 68°F) will take approximately 25 minutes to reach oil level verification criteria (oil temperature and idle time). Oil level can be reliably verified when the radiator fans have cycled ON twice,

or

• The unit can be taken on a 15 km (9 mile) drive (normal riding) or a 6 km (4 mile) drive in 1st gear at 50 km/h (30 mph) which is approx at 4400 rpm THEN idled until the radiator fans have cycled ON twice.

When performing an oil change on a cold engine, the above recommendations must be done to reach oil level verification criteria. When performing an oil change on a hot engine, the new oil will heat up faster since the engine is hot therefore letting the engine idle until 10 minutes or until the radiator fans have cycled ON twice indicates the oil level can be verified.
We thus recommend checking the oil level at the end of a decent ride following the complete oil level verification procedure as outlined above.

[Bob Denman]

Thank you for this very thorough and complete explanation!

(10 minutes of idling-time... Wow! )

[Dragonrider]

Thanks for the information, but my fuel pump is so noisy, I never hear the fans run, so I just check it after a reasonable run...

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thanks very much for the clarification on this.......I am not an ECO freak But I would very much recommend everyone do their oil level checking AFTER they take the Spyder out for a ride........Not before ......Because AFTER the ride it's already warmed up ( 99.999 % of the time ) .....This way , you will always know that the oil is correct before you go riding ..........I have ALWAYS done it this way with all 3 of my Spyders , so I have probably saved 100 or more hours of waiting time and who knows how much gas. I mean who takes their Spyder out for less time than it takes to fully warm it up !!!!!!...................just a thought ........Mike

[Chupaca]

thanks for posting the correct procedure, this will help many with doubts or doing it wrong....

[tip]

.....
......
[*]Engine oil temperature is crucial since its volume changes based on temperature; that's enough to affect the measurable level.
[*]Engine must idle 10 minutes. The 1330 engine is a dry sump design with 3 scavenge pumps and 1 pressure pump, 10 minutes of idle time allows the scavenge pumps to stabilize the quantity of oil returned.


Complete oil level verification procedure:

1. Bring engine to operating temperature.
2. Ensure vehicle is on a level surface.
3. Allow engine to idle for 10 minutes.
4. Stop the engine.
5. Within 2 minutes of stopping the engine:
   
   1. Remove and wipe the dipstick clean.
   2. Insert dipstick and completely screw it in.
   3. Remove dipstick and read oil level on dipstick.
   
   
6. Adjust level as necessary without overfilling.

Tips and Tricks:

......

The manual that came with my 2014 RT states (on page 124 ) that the engines only needs to idle for at least 30 seconds at normal operating temp. - 10 minutes seems excessive to me.
my 2 cents worth
Tip

[GunDoctor]

I'm a graduate of K.I.S.S.. one would assume once you note the proper level after the 36 steps was completed according to the recommended steps. Let the bike cool down and the measure...wouldn't this be the proper level when cold?

[SpyRyd]

BRPcare


Steve, what about the qty of oil to add after an oil/filter change. Understand the qty has been changed from 5.6 quarts to 5 quarts. Pls clarify/verify. Thanks.

[Bluehole]

Steve, a couple more questions about oil on the 1330. Recently ran across suggestions that the 1330 motor be filled with only 4.9L of oil instead of the 5.3L that the 2014 manual shows for the SE6. Is this true?? Also, much confusion about oil change interval---after the initial break in service at 3000 miles, is the next oil change done at 9300 miles or 12,300 miles??

Your input would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[OwnerOfHarriet]

like some others -- I check it either hot or cold - I know where the oil should read in either situation --

their warm up procedure seems hokey

[bgame]

like some others -- I check it either hot or cold - I know where the oil should read in either situation --

their warm up procedure seems hokey

AGREED......

[StanProff]

thanks for the clarification on the recommended amount of oil. I must assume that with my new '14 RTS SE that, as it is showing a little over the "full" mark on the dip stick that I should remove a half quart. It probably left the factory with 5.6 quarts in it. Would this assumption be correct?
Thanks again Steve for the info.

[Purple Guy]

Thanks Steve!

[UtahPete]

Thanks for posting this. I had no idea ... good thing the 1330 is a relatively tight engine in that regard.

[DrewNJ]

I like special tools...[emoji106]

[uralski]

I know from experience with older Harleys that when they have sat for awhile, the oil can leak past the check valve and into the engine. If you checked the oil in the tank it would be low, which is why you check it after you run it for a while to pump the oil back into the tank. I don't know if this is the reason for BRP's oil check procedure but it sounds like it.

[zbunker]

I like special tools...[emoji106]

My special tools consist of a pair vise grips and a hammer...........
And can't forget the duct tape and zip ties

[Dan McNally]

I check my tires before a ride . . . and my oil at the end of a ride. Tires are cold and engine is warm, that way . . .

[ThreeWheels]

I appreciate that BRP care has taken the time to help us out.

Just a couple of comments. This is a long thread, so I may be duplicating what other posters have already said.

There needs to be a "Go-NoGo" oil level when the bike is cold. If you have a low oil level, do you really want to go out for a ride, and then let the engine idle for 10 long minutes before you find out about it ? Couldn't you potentially damage the engine this way ?

I'd like to see a chart that identifies the accuracy at the specific time. Something like this:

Cold: 95% accurate
Hot No Idle: 97% accurate
Hot 1 min Idle 98% accurate
Hot 5 min idle 99% accurate
Hot 10 min idle 100% accurate.

These are my own numbers that I've made up as an example. DO NOT FOLLOW THIS CHART.

It just seems too damn complicated to perform an incredibly simple task, that if inaccurate, could cause major damage.

And, what if someone were to err on the side of caution by filling up the oil reservoir to the fill point when cold. This would potentially add more than the specified amount of oil.
What happens ? Do you merely waste a few ounces of oil, or does something bad occur.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong. I'm sure somebody on this forum will let me knnow if I am.

[Marker]

Thanks BRP Care for your clearing up the oil dilemma. Great Information !
Please keep giving us tips and tricks !

[zbunker]

Hi everyone,
There have been some questions on the right way for checking your oil on the 1330 engine. Below is the correct procedure:

Given the oil system design of the 1330 engine, oil level verification must be done under specific conditions which can influence the quantity of measurable oil in the engine.

These conditions are:

• Engine oil temperature must be between 80°C and 95°C (176°F and 203°F) which is considered as being the engine's normal operating temperature. Don't mistake coolant temperature for engine oil temperature! Coolant will heat up faster than the engine oil.
• Engine oil temperature is crucial since its volume changes based on temperature; that's enough to affect the measurable level.
• Engine must idle 10 minutes. The 1330 engine is a dry sump design with 3 scavenge pumps and 1 pressure pump, 10 minutes of idle time allows the scavenge pumps to stabilize the quantity of oil returned.

Complete oil level verification procedure:

1. Bring engine to operating temperature.
2. Ensure vehicle is on a level surface.
3. Allow engine to idle for 10 minutes.
4. Stop the engine.
5. Within 2 minutes of stopping the engine:
   
   1. Remove and wipe the dipstick clean.
   2. Insert dipstick and completely screw it in.
   3. Remove dipstick and read oil level on dipstick.
   
   
6. Adjust level as necessary without overfilling.

Tips and Tricks:

Here are 2 ways the crucial criteria can be reached:

• An engine started cold (20°C or 68°F) will take approximately 25 minutes to reach oil level verification criteria (oil temperature and idle time). Oil level can be reliably verified when the radiator fans have cycled ON twice,

or

• The unit can be taken on a 15 km (9 mile) drive (normal riding) or a 6 km (4 mile) drive in 1st gear at 50 km/h (30 mph) which is approx at 4400 rpm THEN idled until the radiator fans have cycled ON twice.

When performing an oil change on a cold engine, the above recommendations must be done to reach oil level verification criteria. When performing an oil change on a hot engine, the new oil will heat up faster since the engine is hot therefore letting the engine idle until 10 minutes or until the radiator fans have cycled ON twice indicates the oil level can be verified.
We thus recommend checking the oil level at the end of a decent ride following the complete oil level verification procedure as outlined above.

Hi,
One would think there would be a better way to check the oil level. Just imagine you come home from an all day into the late evening ride. The next day, you see a puddle of oil under the machine. A closer inspection reveals a slight trail of oil down the drive way and into the road. Now you have no idea how long and how much the machine has been leaking.
Would you take the machine on the "correct procedure" run to find out that there is no oil in the machine It kinda stinks that there isn't a way to determine oil levels on a cold engine.
Ron

[Wildrice]

Hi everyone,
There have been some questions on the right way for checking your oil on the 1330 engine. Below is the correct procedure:

Given the oil system design of the 1330 engine, oil level verification must be done under specific conditions which can influence the quantity of measurable oil in the engine.

These conditions are:

• Engine oil temperature must be between 80°C and 95°C (176°F and 203°F) which is considered as being the engine's normal operating temperature. Don't mistake coolant temperature for engine oil temperature! Coolant will heat up faster than the engine oil.
• Engine oil temperature is crucial since its volume changes based on temperature; that's enough to affect the measurable level.
• Engine must idle 10 minutes. The 1330 engine is a dry sump design with 3 scavenge pumps and 1 pressure pump, 10 minutes of idle time allows the scavenge pumps to stabilize the quantity of oil returned.

Complete oil level verification procedure:

1. Bring engine to operating temperature.
2. Ensure vehicle is on a level surface.
3. Allow engine to idle for 10 minutes.
4. Stop the engine.
5. Within 2 minutes of stopping the engine:
   
   1. Remove and wipe the dipstick clean.
   2. Insert dipstick and completely screw it in.
   3. Remove dipstick and read oil level on dipstick.
   
   
6. Adjust level as necessary without overfilling.

Tips and Tricks:

Here are 2 ways the crucial criteria can be reached:

• An engine started cold (20°C or 68°F) will take approximately 25 minutes to reach oil level verification criteria (oil temperature and idle time). Oil level can be reliably verified when the radiator fans have cycled ON twice,

or

• The unit can be taken on a 15 km (9 mile) drive (normal riding) or a 6 km (4 mile) drive in 1st gear at 50 km/h (30 mph) which is approx at 4400 rpm THEN idled until the radiator fans have cycled ON twice.

When performing an oil change on a cold engine, the above recommendations must be done to reach oil level verification criteria. When performing an oil change on a hot engine, the new oil will heat up faster since the engine is hot therefore letting the engine idle until 10 minutes or until the radiator fans have cycled ON twice indicates the oil level can be verified.
We thus recommend checking the oil level at the end of a decent ride following the complete oil level verification procedure as outlined above.

Nice procedure write up, however I have tried it & just riding & waiting 60 sc after shut down & found the levels identical--55 yrs of checking oil level, while the write up procedure is well done--I find it silly...
Darrell

[bluep]

This 10 min. Idle is bull!! You just got through ridding several miles. What do you think those scavenging pumps were doing if not keeping the oil level correct?
By the time you stop and shut off the motor ,the oil is all where its supposed to be! Just check it!!

[JayBros]

This 10 min. Idle is bull!! You just got through ridding several miles. What do you think those scavenging pumps were doing if not keeping the oil level correct?
By the time you stop and shut off the motor ,the oil is all where its supposed to be! Just check it!!

Then what you're saying if I understand you, is the engineers who designed the 1330 engine and have written the instructions on measuring the oil level are full of , correct?

[johnsimion]

After following the designated procedure to the best of my ability, I found either plenty of oil or almost no oil. I say this because after wiping my dipstick and reinserting it per the procedure, upon pulling it out, I found that it had oil on it up to the full line and yet there was very little of it from which to judge ... barely more than a film. No definitive line, just a tiny amount of oil all the way to the full line. I wiped it again and reinserted and had the same result a second time, so I'm thinking it must be okay. It's just scary because I've never seen so little oil on the dipstick when checking my car engines; usually it seems a lot more definitive than this. BTW my Spyder is almost new, about 700 miles. I was intending to take it in and have an early oil change anyway, but it just seems weird that there would be so little oil on the dipstick.