Checking your Spyder's oil

[VaughnCat]

Okay, so how often do you check the oil on your Spyder?
Have you ever checked it to find NO oil registering on the dipstick?

While touring on the RT through Lassen last week, we had the 'check oil' light flash on and go out again instantly. :yikes: No codes displayed when we started it up again. The engine was still hot when we checked the oil, on level ground, and no oil registered.:gaah:

I thought it was strange as three days before I'd taken the RT in for something, and while checking it over, the mechanic found there was no oil registering on the dipstick, so they filled it up. Here it was 3 days later (less than 300 miles) and again, no oil.

There have been no leaks under the Spyder, no smell of oil and no signs of oil blowing. Vaughn added about 2 cups of oil to bring it back to where it was supposed to be. (We haven't checked it since we've been back.)

We were told we should be checking the oil every 1,000 miles.
REALLY???????:dontknow:

Just curious if anyone else has experienced this phenomenon
and if anyone has any thoughts . . . .
:helpsmilie:

Cat

 

[WackyDan]

Look in your air box lately? Not sure how different the RT is from the RS/GS in that regard.

My Spyder uses a little bit of oil every 1000 to 1500 miles. I try to check the oil while on a trip at anywhere over 1000 miles...

I've checked twice so far on this trip... Both times it was down the dip half way... That amounts to 4 ounces +... I just pour a bit in, double check the level and ride on.

Now most of those miles are pretty easy riding... Either 75MPH on the highway, or tooling around back roads... Of course there were many instances of wide open throttle, and some short runs through twisties.

My oil catch can shows maybe an ounce of oil in the bowl, so not sure where the rest of the oil is going other than out the pipe.

 

[M2Wild]

Owners manual says to check before every ride. But I only check mine once a season ... in the spring. I know I am on the lazy side. pps:

 

[mvengineer]

I check mine two to three times between oil changes. Usually I add a little bit between oil changes, less than a quart, but never overfill.

 

[NancysToy]

Are you sure you are not leaking oil? A number of the RTs have this problem. The oil will take forever to get on the floor, but it will cover the bottom of the engine nicely. They are trying Plan C for a cure, according to BRP, but we don't know the success rate of that, as yet. I check at least every 1,000 miles, and before any major trip. Same with Nancy's RS, but that oil ends up in the airbox (or catch can). I have not had any oil in the airbox of my RT. Her RS uses less oil, BTW.

 

[Lamonster]

My RT goes through oil more than my RS. The first problem I had was my motor (being it was preproduction) was sucking oil through the cam balancer and causing excessive blowby . I had that sealed before my trip to the owners event and all seemed fine till I noticed another leak. Turns out it was a cracked return line. Got that fixed and soon after I noticed I had a shifting problem (SE) and checked the oil and I was over a quart low. :shocked: I'm not sure where the oil went or if some was loss when it was in the shop but I do have to check the oil on my RT a lot more than my RS. :dontknow:

 

[xpeschon]

I check mine two to three times between oil changes. Usually I add a little bit between oil changes, less than a quart, but never overfill.

This is my normal checks as well..

X-Joe

 

[Raptor]

This is my normal checks as well..

X-Joe

This seems reasonable, 2-3 times between oil changes. that's pretty much what I do. I have to add just a little, being careful not to overfill and get that blow-by in your airbox going. Bottom line is my Spyders do not seem to use much oil at all. But that's just me...

 

[MarkLawson]

Just checked mine on my RT & found that it was more than 1/2 quart low. Glad you reminded me to do that...

Thanks!

 

[clueless]

OK newbie question. (sorry I am lazy to look up :doorag.

where and how to check oil? is it cold oil temp. level? of course on flat surface.

but its not a good thing that the RTs are using oil between 3k changes. I mean an old Harley that used to mark their spot but even the new Harleys don't have issues with using up oil :shocked:

 

[NancysToy]

OK newbie question. (sorry I am lazy to look up :doorag.

where and how to check oil? is it cold oil temp. level? of course on flat surface.

but its not a good thing that the RTs are using oil between 3k changes. I mean an old Harley that used to mark their spot but even the new Harleys don't have issues with using up oil :shocked:

You really should have been instructed in this procedure by the dealer. It is not the same as other vehicles, and must be followed carefully. Please read your manual to familiarize yourself with the correct procedure.

First, the engine has to be at full operating temperature. Do not just run it until you read three bars on a digital gauge, or 1/4 on the analog. That is just water temperature, and you need the oil hot. Best time to check is after a ride. Remove the left side panel, over the oil tank. If the engine was shut off, start the Spyder and run for about 30 seconds, to scavenge any oil that may have leaked back to the sump. Shut the engine off and check the oil immediately. The dipstick should be screwed in, not just stuck in the hole, unlike other bikes. The oil level using this procedure should be between the two marks on the stick.

 

[clueless]

thanks!

 

[VaughnCat]

Thanks guys. :bowdown:

We're taking both Spyders in this week for the DPS replacement, so we'll address these issues with Ted our dealer.
We're also picking up oil change kits for both RS & RT.
Ted says we'll need a gallon of oil for each oil change, and 2 filters each.
We're wondering if a part of the loss could be the oil saturation in the filters?

We're both really surprised at the amount of oil loss this past 10 days, 1600 miles.

Our ol Suzuki 1500 has not used a bit of oil in 77,000 miles with regular oil changes every 4,000 miles, and the same with the 750 Honda.
Recognizing the Spyders are not the same as a motorcycle, I don't know if it's an apples to apples comparison, but I guess there's a lot more to learn than steering our 3 wheel geriatric scooters :roflblack: :roflblack:

Cat

 

[Euripedes Neves]

No oil on the dipstick.

Okay, so how often do you check the oil on your Spyder?
Have you ever checked it to find NO oil registering on the dipstick?

While touring on the RT through Lassen last week, we had the 'check oil' light flash on and go out again instantly. :yikes: No codes displayed when we started it up again. The engine was still hot when we checked the oil, on level ground, and no oil registered.:gaah:

I thought it was strange as three days before I'd taken the RT in for something, and while checking it over, the mechanic found there was no oil registering on the dipstick, so they filled it up. Here it was 3 days later (less than 300 miles) and again, no oil.

There have been no leaks under the Spyder, no smell of oil and no signs of oil blowing. Vaughn added about 2 cups of oil to bring it back to where it was supposed to be. (We haven't checked it since we've been back.)

We were told we should be checking the oil every 1,000 miles.
REALLY???????:dontknow:

Just curious if anyone else has experienced this phenomenon
and if anyone has any thoughts . . . .
:helpsmilie:

Cat

I experienced the same, for 3 times 200 to 300 mls and was no oil, now I check the dipstick every 1000 mls to be safe. good lock.:ani29::agree::thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

Thanks guys. :bowdown:

We're taking both Spyders in this week for the DPS replacement, so we'll address these issues with Ted our dealer.
We're also picking up oil change kits for both RS & RT.
Ted says we'll need a gallon of oil for each oil change, and 2 filters each.
We're wondering if a part of the loss could be the oil saturation in the filters?

We're both really surprised at the amount of oil loss this past 10 days, 1600 miles.

Our ol Suzuki 1500 has not used a bit of oil in 77,000 miles with regular oil changes every 4,000 miles, and the same with the 750 Honda.
Recognizing the Spyders are not the same as a motorcycle, I don't know if it's an apples to apples comparison, but I guess there's a lot more to learn than steering our 3 wheel geriatric scooters :roflblack: :roflblack:

Cat

I take it from the two filters each" comment that you both have SE5s. Anyway, four gallons will not quite be enough...although it will do an SM5 (4.1 qt capacity)...marginally. The SE takes 4.4 qt with just an engine filter change, and 4.5 qt with both filters, per the BRP spec. I would pick up a couple of extra quarts, just to be safe, but fill the gallon first, then check the levels.

Don't forget crush washers and O-rings, either. You may be able to reuse yours, but you need a spare set or two handy, just in case. BRP has no oil change kit yet, so you will need two different crush washers and two different o-rings for each change. If you inspect and clean the tank strainer, you will need an additional o-ring and a hose clamp.

 

[Campverdefela]

You really should have been instructed in this procedure by the dealer. It is not the same as other vehicles, and must be followed carefully. Please read your manual to familiarize yourself with the correct procedure.

First, the engine has to be at full operating temperature. Do not just run it until you read three bars on a digital gauge, or 1/4 on the analog. That is just water temperature, and you need the oil hot. Best time to check is after a ride. Remove the left side panel, over the oil tank. If the engine was shut off, start the Spyder and run for about 30 seconds, to scavenge any oil that may have leaked back to the sump. Shut the engine off and check the oil immediately. The dipstick should be screwed in, not just stuck in the hole, unlike other bikes. The oil level using this procedure should be between the two marks on the stick.

:agree:You are exactly right as I just recently found out. Unless you take it out for a short run before checking the level you probably will show a half a quart short. You have to get the engine and transmission to operating temperature....no short cuts!!!!

 

[phillipbj]

I'm at SitS. Didn't bring any oil with me.
If I need to add a little, what is the best oil to try and get that will match OK with the BRP oil? That is if I can find an auto parts store in all this mess!

 

[xpeschon]

Really good information.. I have been looking for LaMonsters step by step oil changing instructions, does anyone know where it is?? RS type..

X-Joe

 

[Rider Steve]

Really good information.. I have been looking for LaMonsters step by step oil changing instructions, does anyone know where it is?? RS type..

X-Joe

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14647

 

[YPILOT]

Phillip, If you plan on going on the tail of the dragon ride on Thursday there is a stop scheduled for "Alcoa Good Times" which will be your closest Spyder dealer. If not I will be coming down tomorrow to the meet and greet and I can bring some of your favorite flavor if you need oil. Just let me know and I'll stop by my dealer, East TN ATV before I come down. Dennis

I'm at SitS. Didn't bring any oil with me.
If I need to add a little, what is the best oil to try and get that will match OK with the BRP oil? That is if I can find an auto parts store in all this mess!