checking oil what I'm I doing wrong

[harrypottar]

Finally made up my mind and going to Magog, so I thought I would prep the Spyder. Checked tire pressure, went and filled up with gas, got back and thought I would check the oil.

Garage is level, got back from filling up so bike was at temperature, switched off, removed panel and ran again for 30 seconds.

Pulled out the dip stick, it had plenty of oil, wiped clean with paper towel screwed it all the way back in tight, removed again to check and bone dry, no oil at all.

Repeated, plenty of oil after running for 30 seconds, but bone dry once wiped re-inserted and out again.

The Spyder had its first service at 800 plus miles, it now as 2600 plus miles, so only 1800 since last oil change.

It runs fine, sounds fine so what I'm I doing wrong.

Going to drive (car) to dealer tomorrow and get some oil and top it up, just want to make sure I'm not doing any thing wrong so I don't over fill.
Made sure O-ring was all the way up and dip stick was tight.

btw,
I don't do any car/bike maintenance as I normally cause more harm than good, I have dealer do everything. Really would like to ride the Spyder over to the dealer but worried I have no oil in the thing.

harry

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

I have found that most Spyders do use some oil. So don't be alarmed. It will most likely on take about 4 oz. fill it to about the half way mark between full and low. That is what my dealer advised. I believe you are suppose to check oil every 500 miles.

 

[kinggeek]

Check oil often.

The owners manual says to check your oil every 300 miles. I figure theres a reason for that. These things drink oil.

 

[spyderrock]

Hi Harry make sure the bike is at operating temperature...in other words take it for a 10 minute ride and repeat the oil check process. Seen here on the forum a lot about this.

 

[NancysToy]

I can think of two possibilities. First, if you quickly check the oil after the Spyder is shut off, it can have some foam in it that inflates the level. You may be able to see the tiny bubbles on the dipstick. This dissipates in 30-60 seconds, which would give you the lower reading the second time. The lower reading would be the correct one in this case.How much this happens depends on the brand of oil and some other things. If this is the case, your oil level is lower than it should be.

Second, your oil system has a check valve arrangement that is supposed to prevent the oil from flowing backward to the sump and collecting there. That is called "wet sumping". If the valve doesn't seat well, the oil can drain back to the sump quickly and excessively. This type of situation is hard to diagnose, and would have to be fixed by a competent and willing dealer.

The best way I know of to see if the proper amount of oil is in the lubrication system is to measure the drained oil when you change it. Check the dipstick level first to be sure you are measuring what appears to be a full system. Remember there will be some oil left in the system and soaked into the filters that you won't be able to measure, but the amount should be close if you are careful. Also, look at the amount of oil that comes from the tank. It is normally more than will come out of the sump drain. Excessive oil in the sump indicates wet sumping.

You can also fill the engine with the measured amount of oil per the spec, then ride to operating temperature and check the level right after filling (or the next time you ride). That should show you the proper level.

 

[pro10is]

harrypottar,
If you're low on oil just use the Engorgio charm. Works every time. :roflblack:

 

[harrypottar]

Best oil with limited selection

I leave in the morning and playing catchup at work before I go. My closet dealer is two hour round trip.

Local motorcycle store does not have anything close.

Advanced auto parts locally to me as choice of two, which one is correct.

[h=1]Castrol Edge with Syntec Technology Full Synthetic 5W-40 Motor Oil (1 qt.)[/h]
[h=1]Shell Rotella® T6 5W-40[/h]
if neither of these will do I will just have to race to dealer and back

harry

 

[Campverdefela]

The owners manual says to check your oil every 300 miles. I figure theres a reason for that. These things drink oil.

Not true for the most part. You have to be consistent with your procedure when checking your oil. For example if you just run it around the block a few times and check it then it will be lower than if you ran it for many miles and everything is hot. That being said they will use some oil mostly by blow by. Don't fill to the full mark only to half way and you wouldn't use as much.

 

[harrypottar]

question for techs

I'm all set now, I was in a bind trying to find the right oil so Ginny Weasley took pity on me and ran to the dealer for me. :yes:

I now have a stupid question, I'm not mechanical but just thinking this through.

Completely cold engine, stuck a clean straw in the hole where the dipstick goes until it touched the bottom.

Pulled the straw out and measured. Going to go for a 10/15 minutes ride tonight to get oil really hot then going to fill it up to correct level.

Tomorrow morning before I leave, I'm going to do the straw test again on the cold engine.

Between the two readings I will get a measure of before and after.

Is my logic wrong, when parked does the volume of the oil change. Although I can't use the built in dip stick, if I use a straw and see that it below what it should be cold I can top it up.

The only flaw I can see is if the amount of oil that is sent to that area is not consistent

harry

 

[spyryder]

Is my logic wrong, when parked does the volume of the oil change.


harry

Yes theoretically some oil from the tank can drain back into the engine giving erratic readings. This is why it should be checked when fully warmed up....just after shutting the engine off and before any oil can drain back into the crankcase.

 

[NancysToy]

Oil can drain back into the sump with the engine shut off. That is why you need to run the engine at least 30 seconds prior to checking the level. If you do this even when cold, you should get consistent readings, but cold oil levels can vary significantly as the ambient temperature changes.