Unable to read oil dip stick

[TroyboyRn]

Ok I think I'm going crazy but I have read and watched a dozen how to videos on checking oil but I am unable to get an accurate reading. The oil seems to foam a bit (best description I have) and I can't tell if it high, low or in between. Drive me nuts. I'm beginning t.o chatter on occasion which has ment I have been a bit low in the past. I just don't want to over fill.


Thanks for any advise


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[kngfsh27]

Someone awhile back recommended using a paper towel to check your oil level. I do that. Pull the dip stick out and wipe it off. Put it back in, then pull it out and then lay it against the towel. That will help give you a reading of your oil level.

[Peter Aawen]

You are running the engine until it's warm, parking the Spyder on a level spot & turning the engine off, taking the dipstick out and wiping it dry, & then re-inserting & screwing down the dipstick before taking it out once again to check the level aren't you??


I've seen quite a few people neglect the extract & dry step before putting the dipstick back in to get an accurate 'at rest' level & then pulling it out to read it - not doing the extract & dry step almost always gives either a 'difficult to read' level, or something that's quite inaccurate!! And it often helps to pull the dipstick out & immediately hold it horizontal so the oil doesn't run &/or drip, & if necessary, flip the stick over so you can check the level on the back where the level the oil reached is usually less likely to be hidden by the pattern on the front side!

Hope that helps?!

[happyspyder2039]

Ok I think I'm going crazy but I have read and watched a dozen how to videos on checking oil but I am unable to get an accurate reading. The oil seems to foam a bit (best description I have) and I can't tell if it high, low or in between. Drive me nuts. I'm beginning t.o chatter on occasion which has ment I have been a bit low in the past. I just don't want to over fill.


Thanks for any advise


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What I do is go for a good 10 miles then stop. Remove panel, pull stick & wipe.then reinsert all the way then pull again. You can also lay stick on white paper towel to make easier to see where it's at.

[Dudley]

What I do is go for a good 10 miles then stop. Remove panel, pull stick & wipe.then reinsert all the way then pull again. You can also lay stick on white paper towel to make easier to see where it's at.

What panel are you removing to get to the dipstick?

[pitzerwm]

You can paint the dipstick white, so there is better contrast.

[Chupaca]

As mentioned numerous times, the best way is to pull in from a ryde, pull off your gear ( by then all foaming will be gone) then the panel and check your level. Pull the dip stick, I pull the o-ring off for easier threading it in and out, clean it off re-thread it in pull it back out to see the level. You should be between the add and full. Holding the dipstick straight up and down twist it till you see the gleam of the oil on the stick. Practice makes perfect.. don't forget to put the o-ring back on...

[KennW]

I've never had an issue by following the method described in the manual. Once oil is at operating temperature (for me when returning from a good ride) Park the Spyder on a level surface and shut the engine down. By the time I remove my riding gear and access panels I then after ensure the area around the dips tick is clean I remove dips tick and wipe it off and replace it fully. I then run the motor for 30 seconds, shut the motor down, remove dipstick, wipe it off, replace dipstick ensuring it's fully screwed in then remove dipstick and recheck the level.
Hope this helps.

[jetmech]

I made a homemade dip stick with 1 1/2 inch diameter plastic cap, then cut a slit in it so I could slide a Popsicle stick thru it that is the same length as the stem on the factory dip stick. Then I marked the Popsicle stick with add and full marks like the factory dip stick. I warm up the motor, wait a couple of minutes, pull the factory oil dip stick, and insert the homemade dip stick until plastic cap is flush against the filler hole, pull it out and check the oil. I don't like screwing the factory oil dip stick in and out and it is much faster to check the oil.

As mentioned numerous times, the best way is to pull in from a ryde, pull off your gear ( by then all foaming will be gone) then the panel and check your level. Pull the dip stick, I pull the o-ring off for easier threading it in and out, clean it off re-thread it in pull it back out to see the level. You should be between the add and full. Holding the dipstick straight up and down twist it till you see the gleam of the oil on the stick. Practice makes perfect.. don't forget to put the o-ring back on...

[KennW]

Goodness I hate pre-emptive text sorry about that.

[Bensonoid]

I drilled 4 holes in my dipstick per someone else's suggestion and really like how that works. I also glued the O ring so it stays put, that helps too.

[TroyboyRn]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was wondering. Where does the oil level in general sit when standing over night cold? I totally understand this is not how you check level but was curious.


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[Pennyrick]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was wondering. Where does the oil level in general sit when standing over night cold? I totally understand this is not how you check level but was curious.


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Because of the engine design there will be no reading on the dipstick with the engine cold. The sump must move the oil around to give any reading on the stick and that can only be done hot.

[M109Dreamer]

I drilled 4 holes in my dipstick per someone else's suggestion and really like how that works. I also glued the O ring so it stays put, that helps too.

I really like that idea. By chance do you have a pic of it? Would like to see where you placed the holes.

[Bensonoid]

I started with 5/64 holes and they seem to work fine. Didn't think I would be putting my dipstick on display, now I wish I had taken a little more time and made the holes more in line.

[M109Dreamer]

I started with 5/64 holes and they seem to work fine. Didn't think I would be putting my dipstick on display, now I wish I had taken a little more time and made the holes more in line.

Awesome, thanks. Gonna go and put some on ours.

[MRH]

I just roll the dipstick on to a white kleenex. The oil stained kleenex will clearly show the level of oil as long as you keep the stick next to it.

It only took me three years to figure this one out.

[BajaRon]

I started with 5/64 holes and they seem to work fine. Didn't think I would be putting my dipstick on display, now I wish I had taken a little more time and made the holes more in line.

Awesome! Your Spyder will be quicker out of the hole now that you've lightened it!

This used to be the cheap man's race mod. We drilled holes in everything! Sometimes we drilled holes where we should not have...

[tigerdr]

Here is the correct procedure found in your owners manual:

1) Your motor should be warm.
2) Park it on a level surface and stop the engine.
3) Remove left bottom body panel.
4) START YOUR ENGINE FOR 30 SECONDS (step #3 in BRP procedure)
5) Stop the engines
6) Unscrew the dipstick and wipe-it
7) Screw the dipstick and unscrew it again.
8) Check your oil.

[finless]

Sorry I just had too



Bob

[Bensonoid]

Awesome! Your Spyder will quicker out of the hole now that you've lightened it!

I never gave a thought about what I would gain by weight reduction. Now I'm thinking there might be an improvement in oil transfer efficiency between the tank and the motor.