Checking Oil Level

[JerryB]

Hi folks,

Everything that I know about checking the oil level on a Spyder I have learned about on this forum.

This is the first vehicle that I have owned that requires that the oil/engine be hot when checking the oil level.

Has anyone given any thought to checking the oil when cold & merely remarking ( maybe cutting a small notch in ) the dipstick so that you could check the oil when everything is cold?

I may be way off base on this but it does make some sense to me.

If it would work ( to be determined ) it would be nice to be able to check before starting out on a ride.

Thoughts??????

And thanks for any comments/thoughts/sugestions,

Jerry Baumchen

PS) Hey, it's a slow night. opcorn:

 

[MercerLake]

Oil Check

Hi folks,

Everything that I know about checking the oil level on a Spyder I have learned about on this forum.

This is the first vehicle that I have owned that requires that the oil/engine be hot when checking the oil level.

Has anyone given any thought to checking the oil when cold & merely remarking ( maybe cutting a small notch in ) the dipstick so that you could check the oil when everything is cold?

I may be way off base on this but it does make some sense to me.

If it would work ( to be determined ) it would be nice to be able to check before starting out on a ride.

Thoughts??????


And thanks for any comments/thoughts/sugestions,

Jerry Baumchen

PS) Hey, it's a slow night. opcorn:

The engine has a "dry sump" system, the oil is scavenged from the crankcase by a pump and returned to the oil tank when running. When the engine is not running for some time the oil may drain down from the tank to the crankcase so there would be some variation in the indicated oil level depending on the time involved, besides the expansion / contraction of the oil due to temperature changes. So BRP has a "standardized" procedure for checking the oil level to reduce the possibility of overfilling the oil system and causing possible damage to the engine. The oil level sensor is very touchy as to low oil levels.
The Nanny watches this very closely often indicating CHECK TRANSMISSION messages with the SE5 and likely with the SE6 also.nojoke

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

WHY REINVENT THE WHEEL

Hi folks,

Everything that I know about checking the oil level on a Spyder I have learned about on this forum.

This is the first vehicle that I have owned that requires that the oil/engine be hot when checking the oil level.

Has anyone given any thought to checking the oil when cold & merely remarking ( maybe cutting a small notch in ) the dipstick so that you could check the oil when everything is cold?

I may be way off base on this but it does make some sense to me.

If it would work ( to be determined ) it would be nice to be able to check before starting out on a ride.:hun::gaah:...JUST CHECK IT AFTER EVERY RIDE ...............PRETTY SIMPLE ...IMHO...............MIKE :thumbup:

Thoughts??????

And thanks for any comments/thoughts/sugestions,

Jerry Baumchen

PS) Hey, it's a slow night. opcorn:

Answer above in red

 

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

In my 2012 RT manual, in the oil change section, there is a paragraph that states that if you check the oil when it is at room temperature, (68 dgrees F), that the oil will be halfway between the add mark and the full mark when full. Not sure if your manual says the same thing or not. But it says it in mine in the oil change section. I always check mine when it is hot, right after i get done with a good ride.

 

[finless]

In my 2012 RT manual, in the oil change section, there is a paragraph that states that if you check the oil when it is at room temperature, (68 dgrees F), that the oil will be halfway between the add mark and the full mark when full. Not sure if your manual says the same thing or not. But it says it in mine in the oil change section. I always check mine when it is hot, right after i get done with a good ride.

Mine says the same thing and it also says this in the BRP oil change instructions.

NOTE: The oil level dipstick is accurate when the
oil temperature is at 80°C (176°F). If the oil level
is checked when the oil is at room temperature
(20°C (68°F)), the proper oil level indication is
half way between the lower (ADD) and upper (F)
marks on the dipstick. This must be considered
to prevent overfilling the oil tank.

But with that said, I always check when it is at running temp.

Bob

 

[Highwayman2013]

It's not hard to check the oil when you get done with a ride. That's when I do it.

 

[BajaRon]

There really isn't any good reason to check your oil cold. If you don't see any oil on the floor and you've checked it hot recently, that should be good.

But if you are going to check the oil cold, as long as it is touching the dip stick I would not suggest adding any oil. At that level you've got enough to operate the Spyder safely until you can check it hot.

If you are below the dip stick cold. Then I would add just a bit of oil until it touches the dip stick. As mentioned above. This could still put you in an over full situation but it's better than running too low. Then check the oil level as soon as you can after getting the oil to operating temperature.

And make a mental note that you're not checking your oil often enough.

 

[finless]

And make a mental note that you're not checking your oil often enough.

And that really is the point! I check mine every 3rd fuel fill up and have made a mental note to do it.

Bob

 

[billybovine]

The engine has a "dry sump" system, the oil is scavenged from the crankcase by a pump and returned to the oil tank when running. When the engine is not running for some time the oil may drain down from the tank to the crankcase so there would be some variation in the indicated oil level depending on the time involved, besides the expansion / contraction of the oil due to temperature changes. So BRP has a "standardized" procedure for checking the oil level to reduce the possibility of overfilling the oil system and causing possible damage to the engine. The oil level sensor is very touchy as to low oil levels.
The Nanny watches this very closely often indicating CHECK TRANSMISSION messages with the SE5 and likely with the SE6 also.nojoke

The 998 engine does not have a oil level sensor. I don't think the 1330 engine does either but I have not looked close enough to be sure.

 

[Chupaca]

You can...

you can check it without running the engine but the dip stick has no cold marks on it unlike power steering units on cars do. You could etch a full mark when cold but it is still more accurate when at operating temp. Guess for a quick check and not wanting to have it running in the garage till heated its a good refference...:dontknow:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

V-TWINS & OIL LEVEL

When I had the V-twin I hated having to check the oil.( the threads on the dip stick ).....so I made a " NO THREAD " oil dipstick,....I made it about 1/2 inch longer than the OEM so I would know sooner where the oil level was ( good to know during an oil change )......I had made a bunch of them and so I brought them and gave them away at Spyderfest this year......( along with the little Spyders :roflblack: ) ....maybe you got one ??????......Mike Look for a new thread " Pics of Oil "........she left out the word " Dipstick "...you will find out how I made it and the materials used ......:2excited:

 

[AeroPilot]

I'm with Ron on checking especially the Twin....

There really isn't any good reason to check your oil cold. If you don't see any oil on the floor and you've checked it hot recently, that should be good.

But if you are going to check the oil cold, as long as it is touching the dip stick I would not suggest adding any oil. At that level you've got enough to operate the Spyder safely until you can check it hot.

If you are below the dip stick cold. Then I would add just a bit of oil until it touches the dip stick. As mentioned above. This could still put you in an over full situation but it's better than running too low. Then check the oil level as soon as you can after getting the oil to operating temperature.

And make a mental note that you're not checking your oil often enough.

First, thanks Ron for the speedy service on the filters and washer kits for both the 2011 and the 2015 RT's. Talked with Ron Monday on the phone and they were in the mailbox yesterday, 2 days from TN to CO.

The 998 Twin engine will use some oil and needs regular check when you get in from a ride while fluids and temperatures are stabilized and I believe reflect a good bit of temperature expansion. Midway on the cross hatch on the flat plastic dipstick means "good to go" for the next time out. If I forgot to check it when I got in, I also just look to see if the oil registers on the tip of the dipstick cold before I go, but I would not add more than a quarter quart (just to get it on the stick), like Ron says. IMHO.

I don't think our 1300 Triple is going to use any oil based on the first 3600 miles. It stayed full with the original oil at just over the top bead on the cable dipstick. I also check it after a ride when everything is hot, but am going to let it idle as BRP recommends through 2 fan cycles before shutting it off to allow the pumps to level things out. For me that took 7 minutes after Sundays run of 50 miles and 70 degree temps. On the next change I am going full synthetic but expect the oil usage to remain very low (pending the repair of a slight leak). Thanks for everyone's feedback and suggestions!

 

[elkk]

Hi folks,

This is the first vehicle that I have owned that requires that the oil/engine be hot when checking the oil level.

Hmmm be checking oil on various engines for over 50 years and always at operating temp.

 

[WEB-WVR]

Hi folks,

Everything that I know about checking the oil level on a Spyder I have learned about on this forum.

This is the first vehicle that I have owned that requires that the oil/engine be hot when checking the oil level.

Has anyone given any thought to checking the oil when cold & merely remarking ( maybe cutting a small notch in ) the dipstick so that you could check the oil when everything is cold?

I may be way off base on this but it does make some sense to me.

If it would work ( to be determined ) it would be nice to be able to check before starting out on a ride.

Thoughts??????



And thanks for any comments/thoughts/sugestions,

Jerry Baumchen

PS) Hey, it's a slow night. opcorn:

All I can say is follow the manual procedure and it will be correct ! :thumbup: My last 2 wheel was a M109R Boulevard...if you did not follow the proper oil check procedure, it would always show low. SOme came up with a reliable "cold check" procedure....but it sounds like, with 2 oil reservoirs on the Spyder...that a cold check may not work. :spyder2:

 

[JerryB]

Hi folks,

To all of you who have replied: Thank You

I was only asking a question.

Jerry Baumchen

 

[WEB-WVR]

Hi folks,

To all of you who have replied: Thank You

I was only asking a question.

Jerry Baumchen

Jerry,

Questions are always good ! :thumbup::yes:

 

[pitzerwm]

Machinegun showed me this trick, to make checking easier. Although he cut off the tabs, but I'm still thinking about it and I'm selling the 11, so I will leave it for the new guy. I imagine that you could use some Velcro to "put the grill back on".

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

THIS TRICK

Machinegun showed me this trick, to make checking easier. Although he cut off the tabs, but I'm still thinking about it and I'm selling the 11, so I will leave it for the new guy. I imagine that you could use some Velcro to "put the grill back on".

:yes::yes::yes:....Yep I did that to my 08 about two weeks after I got it ( in 09 )....:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: