Oil level, what the heck!

[leenanj]

I am a little concerned about my oil level in my 2012 RT.

I checked the oil the day after I took delivery according to the the book on how
it should be done. It was about 1 inch over the full mark. :shocked:

I say OK, they over filled it a bit and did not check it hot like it calls for.

I changed the oil myself today, with both filters changed out it says it
needs 4.5 quarts which is exactly what I put in it.

The oil dip stick again reads 1 inch over the full mark when it hot and has
been driven for awhile, cold it comes in just at the full mark. pps:

What do you all think?

 

[Jeriatric]

I am a little concerned about my oil level in my 2012 RT.

I checked the oil the day after I took delivery according to the the book on how
it should be done. It was about 1 inch over the full mark. :shocked:

I say OK, they over filled it a bit and did not check it hot like it calls for.

I changed the oil myself today, with both filters changed out it says it
needs 4.5 quarts which is exactly what I put in it.

The oil dip stick again reads 1 inch over the full mark when it hot and has
been driven for awhile, cold it comes in just at the full mark. pps:

What do you all think?

Does your dipstick have an "O" ring on it?

 

[spyryder]

Siphon a bit out if you're worried about it.

 

[Lamonster]

I am a little concerned about my oil level in my 2012 RT.

I checked the oil the day after I took delivery according to the the book on how
it should be done. It was about 1 inch over the full mark. :shocked:

I say OK, they over filled it a bit and did not check it hot like it calls for.

I changed the oil myself today, with both filters changed out it says it
needs 4.5 quarts which is exactly what I put in it.

The oil dip stick again reads 1 inch over the full mark when it hot and has
been driven for awhile, cold it comes in just at the full mark. pps:

What do you all think?

I'm pretty sure it's 4.4 for the SE but I would have to look it up.

 

[Jeriatric]

SE5 Model​

24. Add 1.2 L (1.3 qt (U.S. liq.)) of therecommended oil in the oil tank​

4.2 L (4.4 qt (U.S. liq.)) total quantity).

But he says it's an inch over full?

 

[spyryder]

You were supposed to start off with 3 quarts, then add as needed until reaching the full mark....and make sure the engine and oil are at operating temp for your final check.

 

[leenanj]

Does your dipstick have an "O" ring on it?

Yes the O ring is in place.

Here is what the user manual says:
NOTE:
When the engine oil filter and
the HCM oil filter are replaced, the
total oil quantity to add will be 4.3 L
(4.5 qt (U.S. liq.)).


I went and called the dealer to see what they had to say and although there were no techs there today,
I talked to a guy who sounded like he new what he was talking about and said they ran into this before.

He said it is a reservoir and the engine takes what oil it needs an sends the rest back. He claims
the the exact level is not that important as long as it is not to low or high and an inch over is no problem.

I asked about oil in the air filter and he says not possible to over fill engine with this kind of setup, if you have oil
in air filter you have other engine problems.

I may call back next week and verify with a tech but it sounds reasonable to me.

Keep in mind this is for a 2012 RT auto trans and other year / models may be different, I don't know.

 

[Jeriatric]

Yes the O ring is in place.

Here is what the user manual says:
NOTE:
When the engine oil filter and
the HCM oil filter are replaced, the
total oil quantity to add will be 4.3 L
(4.5 qt (U.S. liq.)).


I went and called the dealer to see what they had to say and although there were no techs there today,
I talked to a guy who sounded like he new what he was talking about and said they ran into this before.

He said it is a reservoir and the engine takes what oil it needs an sends the rest back. He claims
the the exact level is not that important as long as it is not to low or high and an inch over is no problem.

I asked about oil in the air filter and he says not possible to over fill engine with this kind of setup, if you have oil
in air filter you have other engine problems.

I may call back next week and verify with a tech but it sounds reasonable to me.

Keep in mind this is for a 2012 RT auto trans and other year / models may be different, I don't know.

Your question about oil in the air filter was a good one, and his answer. Not so much. It is a pressurized system in a manner of speaking. Knowing that, if you are over the full mark it very likely will vent to the air filter. The #s I quoted for oil level are from a 2011 OM. Perhaps the numbers are different because they knew they woul be changing the SE5 filter size? Don't know. Saying all that. For peace of mind you may want to suck a little oil out of it.

 

[NancysToy]

To clear up the confusion, in the techncal specs the oil capacity of the SM version is 4.1 qt., while the SE capacity is 4.4 qt. with only the oil filter changed (no longer recommended) and 4.5 qt. with both filters changed. Depending on how well the oil drains when it was changed, a little could be retained in the system, though. Best to add 4 or more quarts, then sneak up on the level, IMO. You'll find what your Spyder prefers soon enough. It is good that you are checking the level according to the proper procedure. I'd adjust the level slightly, and continue to do as you have.

 

[leenanj]

Your question about oil in the air filter was a good one, and his answer. Not so much. It is a pressurized system in a manner of speaking. Knowing that, if you are over the full mark it very likely will vent to the air filter. The #s I quoted for oil level are from a 2011 OM. Perhaps the numbers are different because they knew they woul be changing the SE5 filter size? Don't know. Saying all that. For peace of mind you may want to suck a little oil out of it.

You convinced me, I think I will suck a little out just to be safe side if they are indeed venting to the air filter which kinda sounds like old school to me.

 

[Jeriatric]

To clear up the confusion, in the techncal specs the oil capacity of the SM version is 4.1 qt., while the SE capacity is 4.4 qt. with only the oil filter changed (no longer recommended) and 4.5 qt. with both filters changed. Depending on how well the oil drains when it was changed, a little could be retained in the system, though. Best to add 4 or more quarts, then sneak up on the level, IMO. You'll find what your Spyder prefers soon enough. It is good that you are checking the level according to the proper procedure. I'd adjust the level slightly, and continue to do as you have.

You're correct. Not that I need to tell you that Had I only read one more paragraph - could we say the OM can be a little confusing :banghead: . Not saying it's not right, but........darn!!!

 

[Dudley]

If you have one inch over the fill mark, you have a problem. Your opinion that the man you talked to at the dealer "seemed" to know what he was talking about is correct. One inch over the fill is NOT correct if you measured as the manual said. The reservoir is not just an oil return/use as needed tank. There is a reason why BRP set the measure as they did. Excessive oil, as per engineering design will have to go somewhere or your oil pressure will exceed the designed requirements.
Cold (after overnight sitting) the oil should just touch the bottom of the dipstick...that's the way I measure mine and it has never exceeded the full mark when measured after a ride.

Now, my question:
Did you drain the oil from both the reservoir and the engine?

 

[leenanj]

If you have one inch over the fill mark, you have a problem. Your opinion that the man you talked to at the dealer "seemed" to know what he was talking about is correct. One inch over the fill is NOT correct if you measured as the manual said. The reservoir is not just an oil return/use as needed tank. There is a reason why BRP set the measure as they did. Excessive oil, as per engineering design will have to go somewhere or your oil pressure will exceed the designed requirements.
Cold (after overnight sitting) the oil should just touch the bottom of the dipstick...that's the way I measure mine and it has never exceeded the full mark when measured after a ride.

Now, my question:
Did you drain the oil from both the reservoir and the engine?

Yes both the reservoir and the engine, let drain till nothing coming out, changed both filters.

I can only assume all the oil does not get drained out and will have to top off using dip stick next time.

But one inch over full mark, gees, does that translate into a quart or what?

Thanks everyone for all the help, I like to do most of my own maintenance when I can and this
Spyder has been a learning experience in every way.

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

My dealer told me to not go more than half way between the low and full mark. He suggest keeping it in the middle or otherwise it would go into the air filter.

 

[leenanj]

OK I could not take the suspense anymore. I said in my first post it was over 1 inch above the full mark
from the dealer when new, this is where I left it and it was still at that level after 900 miles when
I did the first oil change today.

I had to pull the air filter housing and see if there was any oil and I'm glad to say not a trace.

I will still suck some oil out to bring it down to the full mark but I can't help thinking more is better than not enough. lol

 

[flybuddy]

Did you check how much oil was drained? I messed up when I first got wave runners. They have the same set up. Trust me, the excess oil can and will wind up in the intake.

 

[NancysToy]

But one inch over full mark, gees, does that translate into a quart or what?

I estimate it at about half a quart per inch, but I will have to take some measurements to be certain. It sounds like they just put in 5 quarts to me, but that doesn't explain when you did it yourself.

BTW, if you use Dudley's "bottom of the stick" method, be aware that in colder northern climates it will lead to being overly when the engine gets hot. That method's volume is variable, depending on ambient temperatures. That's why the level is checked at "full operating temperature"...it is more uniform.

 

[bruiser]

Roger, I was told by the dealer that just running the engine until hot is not the way to check the oil. He said to ride until the temp gauge reads operating temp. My Rt is an SM5. I've heard this is especially true for SE5s. My problem is foamimg. I use recommended BRP oil. I have to wait until the foaming goes down to check oil level.

 

[boborgera]

OK I could not take the suspense anymore. I said in my first post it was over 1 inch above the full mark
from the dealer when new, this is where I left it and it was still at that level after 900 miles when
I did the first oil change today.

I had to pull the air filter housing and see if there was any oil and I'm glad to say not a trace.

I will still suck some oil out to bring it down to the full mark but I can't help thinking more is better than not enough. lol

If you were a full Qt [1 inch over the full line] over, In very short order you would find at least half of that extra quart in your air box and dripping down the lower right side of the Spyder.

 

[spyryder]

I talked to a guy who sounded like he new what he was talking about and said they ran into this before.

He said it is a reservoir and the engine takes what oil it needs an sends the rest back. He claims
the the exact level is not that important as long as it is not to low or high and an inch over is no problem.

I asked about oil in the air filter and he says not possible to over fill engine with this kind of setup, if you have oil
in air filter you have other engine problems.

The guy you talked to was 100% correct. A dry sump system could have a one gallon or a ten gallon reservoir, it doesn't matter. A wet sump system however, such as in your car could have big problems if it were overfilled. (crankshaft spinning in oil for instance)

OK I could not take the suspense anymore. I said in my first post it was over 1 inch above the full mark
from the dealer when new, this is where I left it and it was still at that level after 900 miles when
I did the first oil change today.

I had to pull the air filter housing and see if there was any oil and I'm glad to say not a trace.

I will still suck some oil out to bring it down to the full mark but I can't help thinking more is better than not enough. lol

You just proved it, even with it overfilled for 900 miles the airbox was still completely dry.