Sorry, just giving an example of how I, myself, have learned from my mistakes.
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Trying to decide if I want to start doing my own oil changes - what should I budget?
- Thread starter Allen42
- Start date
Sorry, just giving an example of how I, myself, have learned from my mistakes.
I’m on my phone so forgive any mistakes please.
Everything arrived this week, so I got the fronts on ramps and the rear on a stand to what looked pretty level.
I cracked the seal on the filter cover (was cranked down pretty hard). And pulled the dipstick up a bit.
Then put what I thought would be enough cardboard down and found the oil side and cracked it open. Immediately had a nice rat tail running into the pan. I should have left it there. But noooooo, I went and got a hand driver and unscrewed it the rest of the way. SPLOOOSH! Oil splashed every where. It literally sprayed out of the hole, got caught under the bikes splash pan on that side, ran up that until it was dripping off the front edge. Huge mess. Next time I think I’ll leave the top side sealed up or just leave the bolt in until that quits draining on its own.
However, my main concern is the magnetic bolt on the clutch side… it had a decent amount of shavings on that as shown. Am I in “oh *****” condition?
Also, I may not have been diligent about pre oiling all of Ron’s replacement O rings. Is that critical?
Everything arrived this week, so I got the fronts on ramps and the rear on a stand to what looked pretty level.
I cracked the seal on the filter cover (was cranked down pretty hard). And pulled the dipstick up a bit.
Then put what I thought would be enough cardboard down and found the oil side and cracked it open. Immediately had a nice rat tail running into the pan. I should have left it there. But noooooo, I went and got a hand driver and unscrewed it the rest of the way. SPLOOOSH! Oil splashed every where. It literally sprayed out of the hole, got caught under the bikes splash pan on that side, ran up that until it was dripping off the front edge. Huge mess. Next time I think I’ll leave the top side sealed up or just leave the bolt in until that quits draining on its own.
However, my main concern is the magnetic bolt on the clutch side… it had a decent amount of shavings on that as shown. Am I in “oh *****” condition?
Also, I may not have been diligent about pre oiling all of Ron’s replacement O rings. Is that critical?
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What shavings!! :shocked: nojoke
That's nothing to really stress yourself over. Sure, it's some shavings, but that's not much in the overall scheme of things and it doesn't look like anything that you should be really concerned about either; besides, your magnet wasn't covered with 1/4" of thick 'fur' that was actual filings, nor was it covered with big bits of something clearly critical; so you probably should be worrying more about the oily mess you made on the floor! :lecturef_smilie:
Check the magnet again next oil change; maybe even take photo's & compare them... Better yet, get an oil analysis done - have you kept any of the oil you drained out?? If so, get an analysis kit & send it off; and when you do the next oil change, do it again - grab a sample mid-drain and send that off. Then compare the results! It's really the TRENDS in these oil analysis & other things that reveal the most insight, be they from the comparison of any pics you take; or any oil analysis you might get done! A 'once off showing of minor shavings evident' occurrence doesn't really tell you too much at all - after all, that little collection of shavings could simply be from the thread on plug itself; or maybe from it or something else being tightened down a bit more than usual... :dontknow:
For THAT sorta shaving load on the drain plug, with no other indicators or concerning evidence to suggest any issues, and especially if this is the first time you've really looked for shavings &/or the first 'proper' oil change that you've done on the bike, then apart from those suggestions above, there's really only one thing to do...
See my sig line; Follow the directions there-in; Rinse; and repeat repeatedly!
hyea: Ps: While it's definitely 'best practice' to pre-oil your replacement 'O'-rings, it's no major biggie if you didn't, especially if you don't have any leaks evident after you've run the bike for a while. So for that too, see the last para above! :thumbup:
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bikerbillone
Well-known member
Good post Peter, but isn't it always? I always carefully inspect my oil filter as well.
EdMat
Well-known member
Lets hit this from another angle. Not knowing how many oil changes have been performed previously, or the total miles driven this may be a possibility.
Bubba Joe at the dealership that has been doing the oil changes may have been taking the easy way out. It's common for dealers not to replace any of the o'ring during an oil change.
If they are not changing the o'rings they might not even be wiping off the magnet.
Bubba Joe at the dealership that has been doing the oil changes may have been taking the easy way out. It's common for dealers not to replace any of the o'ring during an oil change.
If they are not changing the o'rings they might not even be wiping off the magnet.
EdMat
Well-known member
I don't every time, but I do inspect them and wipe the magnet clean.
BajaRon
Well-known member
If you mean the mess, remove the plastic panel.
If you mean the splash in the pan. An oil drain splash pad will do this quite well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovl04rN4sQE
Watch the whole thing. It's quite amusing and might make you feel better about your oil drain issues...
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troop
Well-known member
Yup .. The left side shoots out. Part of that reasoning is good, as it flushes out all the lower contaminants. That said, I usually crack it enough to get a slow, steady stream. Then, after about 1.5 quarts drain, I remove the plug and let it flow. You want some strong draining to flush the junk.
That was funny! Sold me on a splash pad. They are as much as my pan was though. I’m also going to remove both of the splash guards on each side. That’s going to suck due they are on the same bolt as my highway pegs and I remember that being quite difficult.
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Dasmoetorhead
Active member
I would definitely start doing your own oil services.
Nothing like quality time with your spyder in the garage with some good tunes, and saving $$$$.
Nothing like quality time with your spyder in the garage with some good tunes, and saving $$$$.
:clap: :roflblack: And yet he STILL posted the whole thing!! :shocked: :banghead: roflmao
BajaRon
Well-known member
I was thinking the same thing as I watched him struggle. But you have to give him credit for manning up and posting it. I respect him for that.
troop
Well-known member
Now that's an honest review.
Seeing this gave me an idea for next oil change. Hit the local Walmart for a 4 pack of 1" thick fiber furnace filters for around $8 Trim to match drain pan and toss. HmmmmAttachments
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BajaRon
Well-known member
Now that's an honest review.
I think the idea is that the open mesh is pretty much permanent and does not need to be replaced. But the air filter might do the job.
Done! I’d say they had just a bit of oil in them lol. This is after a quick wipe. I’ll wash them and put them in my growing box of OEM parts.
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BajaRon
Well-known member
We always pull the panels at the shop. You would not believe how much crud we find built up on them. The oil attracts dirt, and it gets quite nasty over time. There really isn't any good way to avoid it other than pulling the panels. It's a lot nicer to have return customers. We don't have to clean the panels.
If you remember, please post what you think at your next oil change.
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