Oil fill cover blew off

[SpyderDon]

I rarely ryde on the interstate but just for giggles I got onto I 64 heading to Williamsburg, speed limit 70, doing a bit more than that when something hit my knee. It wasn't uncomfortable but I couldn't figure out what it was at first. I couldn't think of anything that could have fallen off the Spyder and I didn't see anything fly at me from another vehicle. Then I looked down and saw that the cover was missing. I got off at the next exit, doubled back, became a pain in the arse to a bunch of traffic while looking for it so I thought it to be in my best interest and proceeded on my trip.

Went to the dealer to order a replacement, damn, tupperwear isn't cheap, $257....I check my oil leve after most rydes and had prior to this one. I also noticed that the cover came off and on much easier sinse the last oil change. Of course there is no need to bring this to the dealers attention because it could just be my imagination.

Bottom line, make sure the cover is on correctly.

 

[Jeriatric]

I rarely ryde on the interstate but just for giggles I got onto I 64 heading to Williamsburg, speed limit 70, doing a bit more than that when something hit my knee. It wasn't uncomfortable but I couldn't figure out what it was at first. I couldn't think of anything that could have fallen off the Spyder and I didn't see anything fly at me from another vehicle. Then I looked down and saw that the cover was missing. I got off at the next exit, doubled back, became a pain in the arse to a bunch of traffic while looking for it so I thought it to be in my best interest and proceeded on my trip.

Went to the dealer to order a replacement, damn, tupperwear isn't cheap, $257....I check my oil leve after most rydes and had prior to this one. I also noticed that the cover came off and on much easier sinse the last oil change. Of course there is no need to bring this to the dealers attention because it could just be my imagination.

Bottom line, make sure the cover is on correctly.

Did you order a new round gromet(2012 style)? It's backed with a washer which helps keep it from being pushed through the hole it's held in. That should keep it from being torn up so easy too.

 

[exwinger]

cover flying off

I do believe there's a thread on the forum somewhere about using a piece of velcro to help keep the cover on.

I had a sidepanel come off my goldwing and while walking back to get it a curious patrolman pulled up to offer assistance....ran right over the cover. He apologized but fat lot of good that did.New panel was a lot cheaper than the spyder to purchase but had to add pinstriping .

 

[Huntindawg1962]

now THAT had to be one heck of a sinking feeling - seeing it there in good shape on the road waiting for the opportunity for you to get at it, then when the help that you would have liked arrives to make picking it up easier and safer, they are the ones to trash it as they pull up to you. nice.

With friends like that........:banghead:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Ouch. Check your grommets and add velcro for added peace of mind.

 

[McGone]

RT oil cover

At Durango BRP announced there are going to be some redesigned RT covers provided to owners, so you may be in luck. I don't have an RT so I did not check which panels they were replacing. Maybe a RT owner can chime in.

 

[Jeriatric]

At Durango BRP announced there are going to be some redesigned RT covers provided to owners, so you may be in luck. I don't have an RT so I did not check which panels they were replacing. Maybe a RT owner can chime in.

Best I understood the panel change was that it would facilitate easier oil changes. Don't think that will help him with the loss of his oil check/tank panel. That said, I wonder if there will be a panel for SM5 owners, and a different panel for SE5 owners. Two very different oil changes. Time will tell

 

[Luckyme]

On my 2012 RT, I thought the panel was too hard to remove due to such tight fit in the grommets. I ended up putting a small amount of silicone paste on the plastic pins, and they slide in easier now. But, hearing this makes me rethink that fix?
It seems maybe these 2012's have had this problem fixed.
And $257! Unbelievable. That panel should not cost 1/2 that much.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I thought that the panel they were talking about is underneath the RT. It is the one that Lamont suggests removing and not reinstalling when you change your oil.

 

[Jeriatric]

I thought that the panel they were talking about is underneath the RT. It is the one that Lamont suggests removing and not reinstalling when you change your oil.

SpyderAnn, you know what. I bet you're right! Wasn't even thinking of that panel since it's already gone (meaning I removed it). Thanks :thumbup:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

SpyderAnn, you know what. I bet you're right! Wasn't even thinking of that panel since it's already gone (meaning I removed it). Thanks :thumbup:

Can you just imagine what a cluster it would be if it was the painted panel! How would they ever match paint from 3 years ago.

 

[SpyderDon]

it's the painted panel. As someone pointed out, once upon a time it was difficult to remove, I also had a grommet disappear during an oil change, the last time the oil was changed the cover was much easier to remove. I don't know what they did and I didn't complain because I liked it. But, it obviously was a bit to loose.

You folks suggested velcro, where and how do you use it on the panel? Thanks.

 

[CyncySpyder]

If ppl would only pay attention to this site, I'm here to tell you ........

For the past 2 years now Teddy & I have been reading all these posts about you poor sapps that either didn't replace your panel correctly yourselves or your friendly dealer didn't last time they worked on your baby and WHAM, it goes falling off or its MIA, awwwww poor babies:lecturef_smilie:

:doorag:Well, I'm hear to tell you :shocked: ................................................




I'm one of those poor sapps myself :banghead:
(I liked it so much better being a naive wise*ss:lecturef_smilie

So there we were, a few months back, just out for a nice ryde with Teddy and we're cruising along the riverfront on the Ohio side, when we go past the Great American BallPark and the Cincinnati Bengals Paul Brown Stadium at only about 35 mph when the dang panel comes flying off when we hit a good sized pot-hole and goes skidding across the road and came to rest on the sidewalk. "OH SH*T!!! Did that just really happen to me?" After 2 years of making fun of all the others that didn't double check theirs, here I am in the same damn boatpps:Are you freaking serious?"

Yup, such is the case :gaah: I now have a couple of plastic zip-ties in place so I can still take the panel off and on for oil checks and changes, but now, if it doesn't get ALL the way hooked in and we hit another pot-hole, it can't go far now damnit :thumbup::clap:

:bowdown:I thank god every day for the ability to "LIVE & LEARN":clap:

 

[DRTSB]

Oil Cover

Can you not just take out that little grill and stick your hand in the hole to remove the dipstick to check the oil? :shocked:

 

[StanProff]

I rarely ryde on the interstate but just for giggles I got onto I 64 heading to Williamsburg, speed limit 70, doing a bit more than that when something hit my knee. It wasn't uncomfortable but I couldn't figure out what it was at first. I couldn't think of anything that could have fallen off the Spyder and I didn't see anything fly at me from another vehicle. Then I looked down and saw that the cover was missing. I got off at the next exit, doubled back, became a pain in the arse to a bunch of traffic while looking for it so I thought it to be in my best interest and proceeded on my trip.

Went to the dealer to order a replacement, damn, tupperwear isn't cheap, $257....I check my oil leve after most rydes and had prior to this one. I also noticed that the cover came off and on much easier sinse the last oil change. Of course there is no need to bring this to the dealers attention because it could just be my imagination.

Bottom line, make sure the cover is on correctly.

I have never had one to fall off on my 2010 RT but when reading of this problem on the forum i took some tie wraps and linked 3 or 4 together and hooked one end to the spyder and the other to the covers. they might come off but they can't do anything but dangle.

 

[SpyderDon]

Just got a call, the parts are in. I'll pick them up tomorrow and see what it looks like. I'll have to think about the zip tie thingy. All I know is that I don't want to do this very often.....

 

[sinkhole]

Side panel...

On the front inside edge of these panels is a plastic "hook like" tab that MUST be engaged behind the radiator housings. With this engaged, the cover should never blow off.
My technique, for what it's worth, is to...
Engage top pin.
Rotate panel forward until you can engage this tab.
Rotate the panel back until the bottom pin lines up, and pop it in.
Lastly, pop in the rear pin and upper clip. :2thumbs:

 

[gypsy_100]

On the front inside edge of these panels is a plastic "hook like" tab that MUST be engaged behind the radiator housings. With this engaged, the cover should never blow off.

I'm guessing that your RT is a 2010. In 2011 BRP eliminated the front hook. The panel is held on by the top-most hook and three grommets. No front hook. Mine works fine. The grommets are held in place by steel washers -- they're not going anywhere.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

it's the painted panel. As someone pointed out, once upon a time it was difficult to remove, I also had a grommet disappear during an oil change, the last time the oil was changed the cover was much easier to remove. I don't know what they did and I didn't complain because I liked it. But, it obviously was a bit to loose.

You folks suggested velcro, where and how do you use it on the panel? Thanks.

Here is a picture I circled the velcro in white. You get velcro that has a tape backing one piece on the Spyder and the other on the panel. I also put it on the panel on the right side of the Spyder. the panel is sitting upside down in this picture

 

[ThreeWheels]

Damn, lost my oil panel the other day

I had the 2010 panel with the hooks.

The panel was sitting perfectly undisturbed since October. I don't burn oil, so I don't need to check it. The panel was undisturbed for 3200 miles.

Left for a ride at O double dark thirty. When I left my garage the panel was there. When I stopped for gas at 4:00 am it was gone.
Grommets are intact, glued in.

I'll do the velcro thing.

Still with the number of panels that come off BRP should be doing SOMETHING to redesign this panel.
I'd be WAY OK with some type of mechanical fastener that has to be removed to check the oil.
This is very troubling.
Very troubling indeed.

This is, by the way, my SECOND panel that I've lost. I lost the right one very shortly after I bought the bike in 2010. Now the left one.

Did I say this was very troubling......................