1330 Engine Oil Level Check

[robhowen]

Has anyone found a reasonably accurate way to check the engine oil level besides getting it up to temperature and then letting it idle for 10 minutes? Is there a faster, but perhaps a bit less accurate method? I'd rather check it more often with reasonable accuracy than never given the current instructions.

Rob

[Bob Denman]

That's NOT what the book says...

3. With the engine already at normal
operating temperature, start engine
and let it run for at least 30 seconds.
NOTE:
Running engine for at least
30 seconds allows the suction oil
pump to drain the oil from the engine
crankcase back into the oil tank. Not
carrying out this step could result in
overfilling the engine oil.
4. Stop engine.
5. Unscrew and remove the oil dipstick.

[jcthorne]

I have found checking the oil cold, after a 30 second idle period, will show the oil level just below the lower (add oil) bump on the dipstick. The same oil content will show in the upper range of normal once warmed up to operating temp. Just below full.

This same procedure for checking the oil cold used to appear in the owners manuals years ago but was removed due to confusion.

[Bob Denman]

Hi JC!
Could you post us some pictures that document that?
Ideally: one taken with the engine cold and just idled a little bit...
And another one after the engine has been fully warmed-up?

(Not that I don't trust you: I just like to verify what I've been told...)

[JayBros]

DIY: take the time to measure the oil level once at the end of a long ride after letting it sit per the instructions from BRPCare in this link: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...l+verification

If it's correct let the bike cool overnight and recheck the following morning. Whatever level it reads cold should be a good reference point.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

DIY: take the time to measure the oil level once at the end of a long ride after letting it sit per the instructions from BRPCare in this link: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...l+verification

If it's correct let the bike cool overnight and recheck the following morning. Whatever level it reads cold should be a good reference point.

" Bingo " - this is the common sense method so ......... Mike

[Trbayth]

DIY: take the time to measure the oil level once at the end of a long ride after letting it sit per the instructions from BRPCare in this link: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...l+verification

If it's correct let the bike cool overnight and recheck the following morning. Whatever level it reads cold should be a good reference point.

Let me play devil's advocate for a minute.

If you follow the book to check the level, then let the bike cool overnight without starting the engine again, shouldn't the level be exactly the same? And if it's not, meaning the level changed on its own as the engine cooled, isn't it almost impossible to estimate by how much it will change? And couldn't it theoretically be different each time?

[Zummyannie]

DIY: take the time to measure the oil level once at the end of a long ride after letting it sit per the instructions from BRPCare in this link: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...l+verification

If it's correct let the bike cool overnight and recheck the following morning. Whatever level it reads cold should be a good reference point.

I followed the direction to check a warm engine and followed up with a cold check in the morning today. Both reading read above the max and onto the rod itself. I used an extractor to take out 8 oz and it now reads half way between the min and max where it should be. When I had my 3000 mile service I said I wanted the left over oil from the kit and was told it took all 6 quarts. Now I know they just put it all in which is to much oil

[robhowen]

Bob, thank you. This is what I tend to do, but I was beginning to doubt if this was correct given all that is posted here about idling for 10 minutes (2 fan cycles), etc. I guess I'll keep doing what I'm doing and assuming that it's reasonably correct. I do oil changes about every 6K miles and I've not had to add oil yet between oil changes.

Rob

[robhowen]

Thanks for all of your inputs.

I measured the oil level cold and it showed at the minimum level bulb on the dipstick. I then rode the bike to full operating temperature and came back home and let it idle for 30 seconds before turning it off and checking the oil. The oil level at this point is now at maximum level. This seems consistent with the variety of inputs I got from all of you.

Thanks,
Rob

[Bob Denman]

This information is interesting and useful... Thanks!

The key thing to remember:
If you check the oil level "cold", and it's at the "Add" mark...
DON'T!
It's already perfect!

[SteveLaoyster]

I checked my oil recently & found that it is very difficult to read the level of oil on the dip stick on a '16 RT-S. I tried in sunlight & in the shade of the garage & it was still hard to read the level. I think it was just off the max level bump. Anyone else having this problem & anyone have a solution??? Thanks!

[SteveandBelinda]

Yes, just bought this 2014 RT, and just had the 3000 miles service done. I checked several times on my 900 mile journey home, just to see if it had changed, and I have still yet to be able to see the oil on the dipstick. Only thing I can see is the oil in the little holes, and that is it. The clean oil is pretty close to same shade as the dipstick.

I checked my oil recently & found that it is very difficult to read the level of oil on the dip stick on a '16 RT-S. I tried in sunlight & in the shade of the garage & it was still hard to read the level. I think it was just off the max level bump. Anyone else having this problem & anyone have a solution??? Thanks!

[SteveLaoyster]

Yes, just bought this 2014 RT, and just had the 3000 miles service done. I checked several times on my 900 mile journey home, just to see if it had changed, and I have still yet to be able to see the oil on the dipstick. Only thing I can see is the oil in the little holes, and that is it. The clean oil is pretty close to same shade as the dipstick.

Looking for the oil in the little holes was about the only way I found where the oil level was. Thanks!

[Highwayman2013]

It's just easier to check it when you get back from a ride.

[Bob Denman]

yup!

[Roadster Renovations]

Has anybody ever actually had to add oil in their 1330? In 37k miles it has not used a drop of oil.

[Bob Denman]

I haven't either; but my mileage is a lot less than yours.