Checking oil quantity

[Baron14y]

I drive the miles, let idle for 10 minutes to check the oil level. The problem is that the oil is so clean and the dipstick color is such that I can't see where the level is (I know that there is oil in there). Any suggestions?

[JayBros]

When you pull out the dipstick immediately lay it on a piece of paper towel and you'll be able to see the oil level in relation to the Min & Max marks. It will be easier after an oil change or two.

[Baron14y]

Thanks Jay. Will give it a try.

[Spyderup]

I drilled a tiny hole in the stick in the middle of the full and add markers.
Works great.

[carbonation]

A little John Deere hydraulic oil dye will tint it and make it easy to see.
JD Dye.jpg

KYNETX dye on Amazon... https://www.amazon.com/Kynetx-Concen...5869643&sr=8-8

Motul 7100 is blood red, easy to see.
Motul 300V is nuclear waste green.
The paper towel trick works too.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I drive the miles, let idle for 10 minutes to check the oil level. The problem is that the oil is so clean and the dipstick color is such that I can't see where the level is (I know that there is oil in there). Any suggestions?

one - two minutes is plenty of time for an accurate measure ..... and the suggestions given above are helpful ..... Mike

[Dudley]

I drive the miles, let idle for 10 minutes to check the oil level. The problem is that the oil is so clean and the dipstick color is such that I can't see where the level is (I know that there is oil in there). Any suggestions?

Why do you need to check the oil?

[BajaRon]

one - two minutes is plenty of time for an accurate measure ..... and the suggestions given above are helpful ..... Mike

I agree. Idling for 10 minutes is hard on any engine. And unnecessary.

[Baron14y]

I agree. Idling for 10 minutes is hard on any engine. And unnecessary.

I agree but, that is the instruction on pg 123 of the owners manual. Why, I do not have a clue.

[Baron14y]

Why do you need to check the oil?

I guess I'm just old fashioned and like to know that the internal combustion engine I am operating has lubricant in it so that it doesn't seize up. Have done the same thing with jet engines as well as ic engines in many airplanes.-

[Baron14y]

I drilled a tiny hole in the stick in the middle of the full and add markers.
Works great.

How does that help me see the oil level?

[Lew L]

I've used the paper towel trick when checking the oil level ( although the 1330 motor uses no oil) I filed a v-notch at the midpoint of the oil reading area but it didn't help. Bob Denman was the first I saw who suggested the paper towel trick.

Lew L

[Gwolf]

If you can't see where the oil is on the dipstick any other way, you can always use the baby powder leak finder trick. Sprinkle baby powder on the dipstick and blow on it. Where there was oil, the powder will stick.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

If you can't see where the oil is on the dipstick any other way, you can always use the baby powder leak finder trick. Sprinkle baby powder on the dipstick and blow on it. Where there was oil, the powder will stick.

Orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr use common flour ...... lots less expensive ............. But it's a good way to tell ..... make SURE you clean the stick ...... Mike

[pegasus1300]

How does that help me see the oil level?

The oil will coat the hole. If there is oil in hole you are ok, if not add a little until it does. AND since you are using a towel to wipe off the stick anyway you can also do the towel trick. 1330 do not use oil but it is always a good thing to check, if it is low you will know there is something wrong with your engine cus it is now using oil.

[Steve W.]

... ( although the 1330 motor uses no oil) ...

... 1330 do not use oil ...

OK, detour here. Two guys are now saying their 1330s do not use oil.

What DO you put in the engine for lubrication?

.

[Gwolf]

OK, detour here. Two guys are now saying their 1330s do not use oil.

What DO you put in the engine for lubrication?

.

You put oil in the engine for lubrication, but then you get the same amount back out of it that you put in it, so it didn't use any.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

OK, detour here. Two guys are now saying their 1330s do not use oil.

What DO you put in the engine for lubrication?

.

I've been on this site since forever .... the V-twin used an abnormal amount of oil - imho ...... the 1330 doesn't use any ...... Mike

[Bling Bling]

I agree but, that is the instruction on pg 123 of the owners manual. Why, I do not have a clue.

Here's an old thread that might help you out.

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...ngined-Spyders

[carbonation]

I've been on this site since forever .... the V-twin used an abnormal amount of oil - imho ...... the 1330 doesn't use any ...... Mike

One reason the twin used oil because folks followed BRP's recommendation of a 40 weight oil, and used the BRP 5w40. It would shear to 20 weight pretty quickly, and be consumed in various manners by the engine (air box, past rings). Wide spreads like that and shared sumps and you'll always see shear.
There were a few of us that realized the same engine in the Aprilia line has a 15w50 specification. I can say from experience, running a 50 weight in the VTwin worked fine, it was still a 40 weight at 3000 plus miles, and didn't disappear.
One of the best runs I had was with conventional Havoline 20w50. Yep, the 1.39 on sale stuff.

[Baron14y]

When you pull out the dipstick immediately lay it on a piece of paper towel and you'll be able to see the oil level in relation to the Min & Max marks. It will be easier after an oil change or two.

Finally got around to checking the oil with the paper towel. Worked great. Thanks Jay.

[Lew L]

OK, detour here. Two guys are now saying their 1330s do not use oil.

What DO you put in the engine for lubrication?

.

I use Shell Rotella oil for lubrication on my . It has a 1330 motor and Consumes No Oil. Isn't the English language wonderful. ( sarcasm notice!!!!)

Lew L

[LongIsland]

one - two minutes is plenty of time for an accurate measure ..... and the suggestions given above are helpful ..... Mike

BRP recommends running the engine for 10 min. to recheck oil level after finding it below the min mark and adding oil.

From BRP manual for 2014 RT
Oil Level under MIN Mark Adjustment:
1. Add approximately 500 ml (17 U.S. oz) of recommended oil.
NOTE: The oil quantity between MIN and MAX marks is 500 ml (17 U.S. oz).
2. Restart the engine and let it idle for 10 minutes
3. Stop the engine.
NOTE: Engine oil level verification must be performed within 2 minutes after engine stop.
4. Recheck oil level.
5. Repeat the above steps until oil level reaches the dipstick between the lower and upper marks. Do not overfill.

[ARtraveler]

When in doubt, follow the manual. BRP uses the manual to CYA, you should be good if you do.

[BajaRon]

I agree but, that is the instruction on pg 123 of the owners manual. Why, I do not have a clue.

BRP recommends running the engine for 10 min. to recheck oil level after finding it below the min mark and adding oil.

From BRP manual for 2014 RT
Oil Level under MIN Mark Adjustment:
1. Add approximately 500 ml (17 U.S. oz) of recommended oil.
NOTE: The oil quantity between MIN and MAX marks is 500 ml (17 U.S. oz).
2. Restart the engine and let it idle for 10 minutes
3. Stop the engine.
NOTE: Engine oil level verification must be performed within 2 minutes after engine stop.
4. Recheck oil level.
5. Repeat the above steps until oil level reaches the dipstick between the lower and upper marks. Do not overfill.

Yes, you are both correct about the information in the manual. But the question is, are the instructions giving you good information. I know there are those who feel the manufacturer is never wrong. And, in the case of BajaRon's products, this does hold true, of course.

But the fact is, no one is right all of the time. Including the one who produces the product.

If it were necessary to idle for 10 minutes to get a good reading, then that would be good information. But it is not. What they are talking about in the manual instructions sighted is adding oil to the system and then checking the level. The 10 minutes is recommended to bring the system back into balance. Still, way overkill, in my opinion.

But if you do what most recommend. Check oil level while out on a ride right after stopping, (at a gas station, restaurant, etc., on flat, level ground). Or at the end of a ride at home or at the hotel. It is a much better way to go. I like gas stations when checking on the road because you know the ground is level. Then you only need 30 to 60 seconds of idling before shut-off. Then check the level.

Idling for long periods of time is detrimental to engine components. Can increase cylinder wear and wastes a lot more fuel than you realize.

Bottom line is, that it just isn't necessary. Try checking the oil level using both methods. You'll find that both will give you the exact same reading. And one will do it with zero collateral issues.