$200 for an oil change?

[Gwolf]

I have always done my own oil changes and most all other work on all my vehicles. One of the reasons is that I will take the vehicle down the road and get the particulates in the oil stirred up so that more of them drain out when the plug is pulled. Not all the dealers will do that. Probably very few do it. I also have the option of using exactly the oil and the filters I want to use. It is not a price thing. It is more of a quality thing. Different brands do have different quality standards. Not so much with Spyder filters, but with automotive filters, even the same brand can have different quality ratings. I also do not trust anyone else to work on my vehicles. Too many stories about people being charged for oil changes that were never done, or leaving the old gasket on and the filter leaking, not tightening bolts and parts falling off or leaks. Not that all dealers would do sloppy work, but enough have that I trust myself more than I trust some mechanic I have never seen before and know nothing about. Just changed the oil in my truck and my tractor. After over 50 years working on vehicles it becomes routine and since I am now retired, I have plenty of time to do it right.

 

[krakum1967]

I do my own, but its almost 75 bucks for materials, so 200 isn't bad. I used to charge 119 for a Harley for primary and tranny changes, so its not too bad. I prefer Amsoil Synthetic in my machines, so I pay a tad higher for oil than most. And to explain the 20 dollar car oil change, the oil drop is much faster, the tech is either in a pit or has a lift, and no skins or panels have to be removed to do the work, you are in and out in 20 minutes, and that is if they are ****ing off.

On the other hand if you want FUEL filters changed on an older model GMC Diesel Pickup, on the model I used to own, the right fender and wheel well had to come off, yep, they had to pull the quarter clip to change the fuel filters...I let the shop do those.

And I am a mechanic on bikes.....

 

[Baron14y]

Amsoil full synthetic, Amsoil filter, labor, $90.00. Done at a shop that works on a lot of Spyders.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I have always done my own oil changes and most all other work on all my vehicles. One of the reasons is that I will take the vehicle down the road and get the particulates in the oil stirred up so that more of them drain out when the plug is pulled. Not all the dealers will do that. Probably very few do it. I also have the option of using exactly the oil and the filters I want to use. It is not a price thing. It is more of a quality thing. Different brands do have different quality standards. Not so much with Spyder filters, but with automotive filters, even the same brand can have different quality ratings. I also do not trust anyone else to work on my vehicles. Too many stories about people being charged for oil changes that were never done, or leaving the old gasket on and the filter leaking, not tightening bolts and parts falling off or leaks. Not that all dealers would do sloppy work, but enough have that I trust myself more than I trust some mechanic I have never seen before and know nothing about. Just changed the oil in my truck and my tractor. After over 50 years working on vehicles it becomes routine and since I am now retired, I have plenty of time to do it right.

On my Spyder if the engine is run & brought up to temp. the oil is warm and will flow fine …. driving it around will not make it flow better …… However enjoy the ride :clap: …… Mike hyea:

 

[Gwolf]

On my Spyder if the engine is run & brought up to temp. the oil is warm and well flow fine …. driving it around will not make it flow better …… However enjoy the ride :clap: …… Mike hyea:

I don't ride it around to make it flow better. I ride it around to get all the particles that have settled out in various places inside the engine and transmission stirred up into the oil so that more of them will come out when the oil is drained.

 

[Tango]

My belly doesn't allow me to get under anything anymore. :roflblack: Tom :spyder:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I don't ride it around to make it flow better. I ride it around to get all the particles that have settled out in various places inside the engine and transmission stirred up into the oil so that more of them will come out when the oil is drained.

:hun: … so your engine … KNOWS … the Spyder has / is been actually moved on a road surface …???? …. well yours is waaaaaaaaay smarter than mine :roflblack::roflblack: ….. Mike hyea:

 

[HankD]

:hun: … so your engine … KNOWS … the Spyder has / is been actually moved on a road surface …???? …. well yours is waaaaaaaaay smarter than mine :roflblack::roflblack: ….. Mike hyea:

I also drove mine around prior to me doing the oil change rather than just letting it idle to warm up. Folks told me that the oil in the engine crankcase doesn't know the difference, but it gets the "stuff" in the transmission side suspended so it will flow out easier. Plus, it was a nice day! Carry on....opcorn:

 

[RICZ]

Gwolf, I'm with you and will add that I plan my oil changes to be at the end of a long day ride. I pull 'er into the garage and pull the plugs. Only downside of this method is, the oil is damn hot if it hits your hand. Don't ask.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Well it seems from some comments that the Rear wheel somehow moves the oil through the engine …..AMAZING …. what you can learn on this site :clap::clap::clap::roflblack:

 

[Gwolf]

:hun: … so your engine … KNOWS … the Spyder has / is been actually moved on a road surface …???? …. well yours is waaaaaaaaay smarter than mine :roflblack::roflblack: ….. Mike hyea:

My engine don't know anything, but I know if the gears in the transmission are spinning or if it is just sitting there idling. I also know it will stir up more of the particles if it is run through the gears than it will if it just idles a while. The oil is not just in the engine. It also circulates through the transmission.

Believe whatever you want to. I will do it my way. You can do it any way you like.

 

[RICZ]

Differences are what makes horse races.

 

[iridenow]

Anywhere from $200-$300 is about where all the dealers are. Remember they do labor by the "book time" and parts are full retail. Hopefully it is all done by a Spyder certified tech.. Car oil change for $19.99? Done by a kid right off the street. Probably still reading comic books. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

Yep....and done in 10 minutes at the Quickie Lube down the street.

 

[HankD]

Well it seems from some comments that the Rear wheel somehow moves the oil through the engine …..AMAZING …. what you can learn on this site :clap::clap::clap::roflblack:

I don't see anyone saying that. :dontknow: I see Gwolf, me, and others saying that actually riding the Spyder spins the transmission gears, which contain the same oil that you change when you do an oil change. Spinning the transmission helps to temporarily suspend particles so that they can more easily be removed during the oil change, while at the same time warming the oil for easier flow.

If we were talking about a typical car, where the transmission fluid is a totally separate system than the engine oil, that would be different.

Anyhow....flame on hyea:

 

[EdMat]

Idling in neutral would also spin the transmission gears. However running up the gears over the road would cause a heck of a lot more stirring up of anything that might be settled.

 

[Gwolf]

Idling in neutral spins only the input shaft. Without any of the gear pinions engaged the output shaft does not spin.

 

[EdMat]

Idling in neutral spins only the input shaft. Without any of the gear pinions engaged the output shaft does not spin.

Yep, kind of what I was referring to, guess I could have made the point clearer.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Let's agree to dis-agree :2thumbs: ……… Debris , particulate matter etc. is going to be heavier than the oil it is in ….. and if that is the case, when the oil isn't moving that stuff will sink to the bottom of whatever it is contained in ie. engine, transmission etc. the magnets on the drain plugs should be catching any steel / iron metal parts ( that's why they are there )….. and I don't stop my engine and immediately pull the drains, I might wait 15-20 minutes. … I've owned many, many various veh's in my 72 yrs. and never had an engine or transmission failure...… Thanks for all your opinions …. Mike hyea:

 

[PMK]

Its not about the engine, its all about the gearbox and wet clutch...just so happens, the engine must be running to spin the gearbox and clutch.

Circulated oil that has been run prior to draining, and yes it may sit a few minutes, will suspended, aluminum particles, and moisture or acids if present and do a better result removing them.

Will you see immediate failure, have your engine blow up or see detrimental effects from draining cold oil. Very unlikely no, however it is simply not the best method to use.

 

[troop]

I, too, am in the ride before oil change group. After 50'sh years, won't change now ...