How much oil do you use?

[jthornton]

I was a bit surprised to add a 1/2 quart of oil after 1500 miles so about 1/3 of a quart per 1000 miles. So I'm wondering how much oil the Rotax normally uses. I have 2,200 miles so it should be broken in by now...

What is your average oil usage per 1000 miles?

Having to add oil between oil changes is something I have not done since I sold my 1981 Chevy Custom Deluxe 10 truck.

Thanks
John

 

[wis2013rtltd]

I too was surprised,

added almost 3/4 quart after 1500 miles. Mine is a 13' and had the 600 mile service at the dealer. Had to add at 2100 miles. I am checking now every 500 ish miles and hope and assume the consumption drops over time. I must say its been a long time since I had to add oil between changes to anything I own, especially something brand new.....

 

[Jeriatric]

Add oil back to full level from around half down the stick(have never found it lower than that) every 600 miles approx. Air box is consistently free of oil. Don't track how much is added cause it is what it is. If it starts needing more, more often, then I'll know something's up.

 

[Chupaca]

Some..!!

Have a 2012 RS and did use oil when new. Slowly got better. Now have close to 7,000 and hardly uses any. But like so much on these roadster it varies a lot. What oil, weather ryding style etc. Because it runs through the whole engine clutch, crank, gearbox, top end the oil does get a workout. Some blows out (air box) some just goes up in smoke. But until you trail a corkscrew of smoke out the pipe your engine is not burning oil..hyea:

 

[ThreeWheels]

I haven't used any oil in between oil changes.
That was when the oil change was at 3,000 mile intervals.
I'll let you know when I have to change the oil at 4,500 miles.

I've always suspected that people who require a lot of oil in between changes are just reading the level wrong.
There is an entire procedure to check the oil, not simply looking in a sight glass like you would for a Honda.

 

[JKMSPYDER]

OIL USE

​I guess I'm lucky. My ST-S has over 2900 miles and hasn't used any oil (yet).

 

[jthornton]

I haven't used any oil in between oil changes.
That was when the oil change was at 3,000 mile intervals.
I'll let you know when I have to change the oil at 4,500 miles.

I've always suspected that people who require a lot of oil in between changes are just reading the level wrong.
There is an entire procedure to check the oil, not simply looking in a sight glass like you would for a Honda.

Actually I'm very anal about following the EXACT procedure for checking the oil down to the letter and no skipping, so I discount that reasoning in my case. I think a better guess is manufacturing tolerances and how well your Rotax fits together.

JT

 

[SPYD1]

Add oil back to full level from around half down the stick(have never found it lower than that) every 600 miles approx. Air box is consistently free of oil. Don't track how much is added cause it is what it is. If it starts needing more, more often, then I'll know something's up.

Pretty similar here on a 09 RS.

 

[paulbrinker]

added oil to me RT-SE5 at about the same milage. Have not had to add any oil since, even after the 4800 mile oil change. So for what ever reason this seems to be normal until it is broken in or we learn to drive it.

 

[murphybrown]

12 oz. per 1100 miles

My records ave to the above for my 2010 RTSE5...:bowdown:

 

[Bob Ledford]

2011 RTL, SE-5 4,678 miles. Maybe four (4) ounces.

 

[Bob Ledford]

I find it more than strange that all of what the oil does in a Rotax engine and trans is the same thing that happens with oil in a Gold Wing engine and yet I never found I had to add oil between oil changes like I HAVE to do with this Rotax engine and the trans.

If the engine's not burning it then how can it "just go up in smoke"? No one seems to know where the oil goes, it just disappears? Kind of like rising gasoline prices, it just happens?

Paw contare my friend, it can go up in just smoke.... Let your valve guides or valve stem seals get worn or have a seal split and every time you decelerate the pistons will suck a tad bit thru and send it right out the old exhaust in minute amounts that add up over time

 

[vrodrjs]

I use some

I added about 1/4 quart after I got back from Spyderfest. Then I added another 1/2 after I rode the tar out of it for 2,000 miles down in Arkansas. I also have about 4k on the oil that is in there. If I use a quart in 4K it doesn't bother me, I used to ride an aircooled HD so......

 

[szohar]

Adding oil

I do have to add avg of 8 Oz/1000 miles.

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

I add about 1/4 quart every 3,000 miles in my 2012 SE 5 RT

 

[boborgera]

I found my 08 stopped using oil when i stopped trying to keep the oil level right at the full mark.
I think the full line is too high, And the engine will burn off the first few oz's fast then settle down to about half way on the stick...

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I would use 1/2 a quart every 1,500 miles on my 2010 RT. Haven't had to add any yet on the 2013

 

[Jeriatric]

I found my 08 stopped using oil when i stopped trying to keep the oil level right at the full mark.
I think the full line is too high, And the engine will burn off the first few oz's fast then settle down to about half way on the stick...

Have been told this by several tech's. If true, it would be nice if we got some kind of official word on it. Till then I'll follow their current guidelines and keep the oil topped off. It's their dance and I'm trying to be a good partner.

 

[Jeriatric]

Actually I'm very anal about following the EXACT procedure for checking the oil down to the letter and no skipping, so I discount that reasoning in my case. I think a better guess is manufacturing tolerances and how well your Rotax fits together.

JT

JT,

Docduru posted this a while back

There is a leakage test that shows the Rotax 990 rings and valve seats shape:

0%-15% (excellent)
16%-25% (good)
26%-40% (fair)
41%+ (poor)

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?51016-Engine-condition&highlight=engine+leak+test​

 

[jthornton]

JT,

Docduru posted this a while back

There is a leakage test that shows the Rotax 990 rings and valve seats shape:

0%-15% (excellent)
16%-25% (good)
26%-40% (fair)
41%+ (poor)

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?51016-Engine-condition&highlight=engine+leak+test​

Yea, I remember reading that a while back... that is some pretty wide standards. I wonder what the minimum is to let the engine out of the factory? This could explain the widely varying oil usage and fuel mileage.

JT