checking oil

[BLACK WIDOW]

Today after riding 50 miles or so I checked the oil as instructed in the manual. The spyder has only 500 miles and this is the first time I have checked it since the dealer serviced it out when I bought it. After letting it idle for 30 seconds (as per manual) I checked the oil, and it was completely up the whole length of the dip stick, and as a matter of fact I could see the oil in the tank through the dipstick hole. The oil was also foaming. I have never encountered anything quite like this on any motorcycle. Has anyone noticed anything like this? I would appreciate any ideas you may have. It is hard for me to believe a dealer would overfill with oil.:dontknow::shocked:

 

[ataDude]

If, after warming up, you removed the dipstick, wiped it, then put it back in to check, you're right... way too much oil. Some dealers have been known to do that... most do not.

Drain a little and check again.

.

Today after riding 50 miles or so I checked the oil as instructed in the manual. The spyder has only 500 miles and this is the first time I have checked it since the dealer serviced it out when I bought it. After letting it idle for 30 seconds (as per manual) I checked the oil, and it was completely up the whole length of the dip stick, and as a matter of fact I could see the oil in the tank through the dipstick hole. The oil was also foaming. I have never encountered anything quite like this on any motorcycle. Has anyone noticed anything like this? I would appreciate any ideas you may have. It is hard for me to believe a dealer would overfill with oil.:dontknow::shocked:

 

[Dudley]

Today after riding 50 miles or so I checked the oil as instructed in the manual. The spyder has only 500 miles and this is the first time I have checked it since the dealer serviced it out when I bought it. After letting it idle for 30 seconds (as per manual) I checked the oil, and it was completely up the whole length of the dip stick, and as a matter of fact I could see the oil in the tank through the dipstick hole. The oil was also foaming. I have never encountered anything quite like this on any motorcycle. Has anyone noticed anything like this? I would appreciate any ideas you may have. It is hard for me to believe a dealer would overfill with oil.:dontknow::shocked:

I would call the dealer and tell him to come and get the Spyder and get the oil level to where it should be. This is not normal! My guess, YES they over-filled it with the break-in oil because they are incompetent. If they can't put the right amount of oil, how can they know how to do any other service???

 

[DynamoBT]

Speaking of checking the oil level. . . . the dipstick is behind the left side panel. Right? The procedure described to take the panel off makes it sound easy. Does it go back on easily?

Also, is the best time to check the oil at the end of a ride? The manual says to check the oil with the engine at "regular operating temperature". How many bars showing is the engine hot enough to get an accurate check of the oil level?

 

[ataDude]

Speaking of checking the oil level. . . . the dipstick is behind the left side panel. Right? The procedure described to take the panel off makes it sound easy. Does it go back on easily? ...

Relative easy. My sequence:

1. Insert lower tabs on the removable cover into the lower slots on the black plastic... rear first (there's a "hook") then front.

2. Locate and tighten the lower front Dzus fastener.

3. Locate and tighten the upper front fastener.

4. Locate and tighten the rear fastener.

Any sequence other than that causes me trouble.

.

 

[Big Arm]

Speaking of checking the oil level. . . . the dipstick is behind the left side panel. Right? The procedure described to take the panel off makes it sound easy. Does it go back on easily?

Also, is the best time to check the oil at the end of a ride? The manual says to check the oil with the engine at "regular operating temperature". How many bars showing is the engine hot enough to get an accurate check of the oil level?

The left side panel is very easy to take off and reinstall.
I usually do check mine after riding. I would say three bars is normal temp of the engine

 

[BLACK WIDOW]

Oil level

I would call the dealer and tell him to come and get the Spyder and get the oil level to where it should be. This is not normal! My guess, YES they over-filled it with the break-in oil because they are incompetent. If they can't put the right amount of oil, how can they know how to do any other service???

:agree::agree:
I called my dealer and he swears he only put 4 QTs in. But as you say probably on top of the breakin oil.. Will take back first thing in AM. Do you suppose that any damage could have occurred (drove it 500 miles) because of the overfill? I don't see any signs that oil has been thrown out and the exhaust looks dry.:dontknow:

 

[spy08]

Today after riding 50 miles or so I checked the oil as instructed in the manual. The spyder has only 500 miles and this is the first time I have checked it since the dealer serviced it out when I bought it. After letting it idle for 30 seconds (as per manual) I checked the oil, and it was completely up the whole length of the dip stick, and as a matter of fact I could see the oil in the tank through the dipstick hole. The oil was also foaming. I have never encountered anything quite like this on any motorcycle. Has anyone noticed anything like this? I would appreciate any ideas you may have. It is hard for me to believe a dealer would overfill with oil.:dontknow::shocked:

funny you mention this...i did the first oil change on my spyder back in dec and it took 4 qts. On tuesday i did my wife's bike (which i bought used about 2000 miles. i filled up with 3 qt, started it and put the final qt after that, and guess what it was overfilled as you describe.

I had taken out all the old oil from the resivore and what came out from were the filter was :dontknow:

 

[Dudley]

funny you mention this...i did the first oil change on my spyder back in dec and it took 4 qts. On tuesday i did my wife's bike (which i bought used about 2000 miles. i filled up with 3 qt, started it and put the final qt after that, and guess what it was overfilled as you describe.

I had taken out all the old oil from the resivore and what came out from were the filter was :dontknow:

Did you drain the oil from the engine?

 

[BLACK WIDOW]

To much oil

funny you mention this...i did the first oil change on my spyder back in dec and it took 4 qts. On tuesday i did my wife's bike (which i bought used about 2000 miles. i filled up with 3 qt, started it and put the final qt after that, and guess what it was overfilled as you describe.

I had taken out all the old oil from the resivore and what came out from were the filter was :dontknow:[/quot

Did you drain some out or just drive it??

 

[Dudley]

funny you mention this...i did the first oil change on my spyder back in dec and it took 4 qts. On tuesday i did my wife's bike (which i bought used about 2000 miles. i filled up with 3 qt, started it and put the final qt after that, and guess what it was overfilled as you describe.

I had taken out all the old oil from the resivore and what came out from were the filter was :dontknow:[/quot

Did you drain some out or just drive it??

I was told by a former Spyder Project consultant that the level of the oil should never be above the full mark.. It is better somewhere between full and add. Excessive oil can cause the oil reservoir to expand from too much heat because of too much oil. I don't understand that either, but I won't question it. It's too easy to keep the oil at proper level.

 

[spy08]

I was told by a former Spyder Project consultant that the level of the oil should never be above the full mark.. It is better somewhere between full and add. Excessive oil can cause the oil reservoir to expand from too much heat because of too much oil. I don't understand that either, but I won't question it. It's too easy to keep the oil at proper level.

i drained the extra oil.....nice and messy:yikes:

 

[NancysToy]

For those who asked, normal operating temperature is at least three bars on the gauge, since this is where the thermostat opens. Warming it in the driveway to this level may be insufficient, since the oil warms more slowly than the coolant. I highly recommend checking the level after a ride. If you can't, let the engine stay at three bars or above for several minutes before you check. Even then, your oil level may read low, and if you add, you could overfill.
-Scotty

 

[opticat]

:agree:

I noticed that sometimes the oil will be foamy after a ride, and if you let it sit for awhile, it seems to give a better reading. I thought mine was overfilled as well, but it was right on the mark when it settled.

 

[BLACK WIDOW]

to much oil

:agree::agree:
I called my dealer and he swears he only put 4 QTs in. But as you say probably on top of the breakin oil.. Will take back first thing in AM. Do you suppose that any damage could have occurred (drove it 500 miles) because of the overfill? I don't see any signs that oil has been thrown out and the exhaust looks dry.:dontknow:

I couldn't wait to take it to the dealer so I sucked some oil out of the tank to the level I thought it should be, then rode it until 4 bars, went through the checking proceedure (as per manual) and it was right on full mark. I removed 16 oz. of oil. Still going to visit my dealer and find out why they would send one out the door 1/2 Qt over full. I'm sure the shop manual doesn't state 4Qt +/_ 12.5 %:gaah:

 

[BLACK WIDOW]

foaming oil

:agree:

I noticed that sometimes the oil will be foamy after a ride, and if you let it sit for awhile, it seems to give a better reading. I thought mine was overfilled as well, but it was right on the mark when it settled.

Yes, I also noticed how this oil tends to foam. I don't think that is an indication of good oil. The better multi viscosity oils contain sufficient anti foming agents to prevent foaming. Foaming oil does not lubricate well, more air than oil. Think I will use my old stand by (Mobil 1 Motorcycle oil 10W40 JASCO MA certified.:thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

Yes, I also noticed how this oil tends to foam. I don't think that is an indication of good oil. The better multi viscosity oils contain sufficient anti foming agents to prevent foaming. Foaming oil does not lubricate well, more air than oil. Think I will use my old stand by (Mobil 1 Motorcycle oil 10W40 JASCO MA certified.:thumbup:

:agree: Excessive foaming of oil is a problem, and can indicate oiling system malfunctions or poor oil quailties. Some foaming is always seen in dry sump systems, but it should dissipate quickly, and never completely obscure the oil level or the entire oil surface. If excessive, it can harm the engine. Bearings are not fond of air bubbles instead of lubricant. A thick, tan foam can indicate water in the oil.
-Scotty

 

[max continuous]

I wonder if you have the same problem I did.
Is there a fuel smell to the oil you removed from the tank?
Is it greenish looking?
It was determined that mine was probably over filled at the shop and being new, it had been started and stopped in the showroom without the rings being seated. This allowed fuel to wash by the rings into the oil system thus over filling the tank.
Max

 

[max continuous]

Oh yeah, the oil was super foamy due to the fuel component in it.
Max

 

[BLACK WIDOW]

foaming oil

I wonder if you have the same problem I did.
Is there a fuel smell to the oil you removed from the tank?
Is it greenish looking?
It was determined that mine was probably over filled at the shop and being new, it had been started and stopped in the showroom without the rings being seated. This allowed fuel to wash by the rings into the oil system thus over filling the tank.
Max

You know, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if something like that didn't occur; However, I didn't notice a fuel smell and the oil was a dark brown color.:dontknow: