Oil Level on 1330-engined Spyders, Chapter II

[Jim&Teresa]

I have added the correct amount of 5 quarts after oil/filter changes (3 oil changes - have 17,000+ miles on my 2014 RT). It looks very low on the dipstick. Are you saying that is OK (with the 5 quarts added after change) and that is the new "mark" for full?

[Bob Denman]

Steve,
Thanks!

We REALLY appreciate how well you put up with all of us!

[KX5062]

I am in no way trying to bust BRP's chops, however, Ann brought up and excellent point. I would take that one step further, which is a drop of 2 quarts in capacity is a massive change. Shouldn't BRP make available new dip sticks with the correct fill/full lines so that owners can accurately check their oil?

[JayBros]

I have added the correct amount of 5 quarts after oil/filter changes (3 oil changes - have 17,000+ miles on my 2014 RT). It looks very low on the dipstick. Are you saying that is OK (with the 5 quarts added after change) and that is the new "mark" for full?

OK, ready for this because it's counter-intuitive? If you change the filter and drain the canister, add 5.0 qt, bring it to operating temperature and check the level, http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...l+verification,
the level will show at the "Min" mark on the dipstick. See Steve's third bullet.

Now when the average bloke sees an oil level at the Min or low mark on a dipstick his brain says, "Add oil, dope." But if you know the required quantity is 5.0 qt and you put it in, the fact that the dipstick reads at the Min mark is immaterial.

FWIW, on the last oil change which was my first DIY I had the Spyder on ramps and let the engine & trans drain while I ate a leisurely lunch, refilled it with the 5 qt and it was at the Min level. The drain plugs are at the aft end of the oil sump and clutch cover so I believe I got out as much old oil as possible. YMMV.

[ulflyer]

Lower bump is full. top bump is overfill............or you could grind off the top bump.

[billybovine]

Don't understand the confusion.

The oil capacity has not changed. So the oil level in the oil tank has not changed. So the dipstick is correct as it has always been. Keep the oil level between min and max when hot. Seems simple enough to me.

What has changed is the initial fill amount after an oil change has been reduced so as not to risk an overfill. Because it is easier to add more oil than it is to suck the extra out.

[beast68]

So the correct way is change oil, add 5qts, run engine, check oil, add as needed.

[Bob Denman]

So the correct way is change oil, add 5qts, run engine, check oil add as needed.

If it was me; I'd add about 4 1/2 quarts, and then start checking the level...
But essentially:

[JayBros]

Don't understand the confusion.

The oil capacity has not changed. So the oil level in the oil tank has not changed. So the dipstick is correct as it has always been. Keep the oil level between min and max when hot. Seems simple enough to me.

What has changed is the initial fill amount after an oil change has been reduced so as not to risk an overfill. Because it is easier to add more oil than it is to suck the extra out.

Unlike the 998s the 1330s don't have a completely separate oil tank. The dry sump system in the engine is connected to an attached oil tank that is bolted to the engine block. Three scavenger pumps return oil to the tank from the very shallow engine sump beneath the crankshaft. By reducing the amount from 5.9 to 5.0 qt the level in the tank is changing, dropping to the Min mark on the dipstick. The dipstick reads the level in the tank so oil level on the stick shows lower although the capacity of the tank has not changed. It is my uneducated guess that the original larger quantity of oil recommended may have caused the scavenger pumps to work overtime to the detriment (alleged loss of power) of the engine trying to get that extra oil pumped into the tank when there wasn't enough room if the engine was overfilled when the recommended fill amount was 5.9 qt. http://parts.spyder.brp.com/Index.as..._id=1&siteid=1

[Jim&Teresa]

Unlike the 998s the 1330s don't have a completely separate oil tank. The dry sump system in the engine is using the transmission as the oil tank. Three scavenger pumps return oil to the transmission from the very shallow engine sump beneath the crankshaft. By reducing the amount from 5.9 to 5.0 qt the level in the transmission is changing, dropping to the Min mark on the dipstick. The dipstick reads the level in the transmission so oil level on the stick shows lower although the capacity of the transmission case has not changed. It is my uneducated guess that the original larger quantity of oil recommended may have caused the scavenger pumps to work overtime to the detriment (alleged loss of power) of the engine trying to get that extra oil pumped into the trans case when there wasn't enough room if the engine was overfilled when the recommended fill amount was 5.9 qt. http://parts.spyder.brp.com/Index.as..._id=1&siteid=1

Yes, I had read about power loss with being "too full" on oil with the 1330. Your comments make the most sense to me of everything else that I have read.....I'm keeping my oil just above the add line which is just a small amount more than the "official" 5 quart fill. I do the 5 quart fill each time I've changed the oil/filter (since the new info came out)....and it makes me worry a little when it's just at the add mark. Oh well, good discussion on the subject and I think your explanation helps the most so far.....thanks!

BTW - the 1330 has been AWESOME! Zero issues after 17,500 miles on my 2014 RT Limited - great machine!

[JayBros]

My apology that the link in post #14 did not show the engine lubrication system blow up as I thought it would. Here's what I intended to show.

[billybovine]

Unlike the 998s the 1330s don't have a completely separate oil tank. The dry sump system in the engine is connected to an attached oil tank that is bolted to the engine block. Three scavenger pumps return oil to the tank from the very shallow engine sump beneath the crankshaft. By reducing the amount from 5.9 to 5.0 qt the level in the tank is changing, dropping to the Min mark on the dipstick. The dipstick reads the level in the tank so oil level on the stick shows lower although the capacity of the tank has not changed. It is my uneducated guess that the original larger quantity of oil recommended may have caused the scavenger pumps to work overtime to the detriment (alleged loss of power) of the engine trying to get that extra oil pumped into the tank when there wasn't enough room if the engine was overfilled when the recommended fill amount was 5.9 qt. http://parts.spyder.brp.com/Index.as..._id=1&siteid=1

I am sorry but you give no reason not to believe BRP Care Steve. So that means you are incorrect IMHO. All that has changed is the initial fill amount and the dipstick is correct.

[JayBros]

Gee Billy, maybe I've been playing with this too long and have my brain mushed up. I hope that in no way I gave any indication that I do not believe Steve. My initial correspondence to him pointed out the differences in the three operator's guides for the 1330 engine. As he said, the initial tech note to dealers in August '14 changed the required oil change fill amount for the SE6 engine to 5.0 qt. I accept his explanation that adherence to the change will eliminate the need to siphon out extra oil. If one puts in the 5 qt required amount the dipstick will read at the Min level. If one wants to add more than the required 5 qt that's their business.