Add oil to the engine also?

[Bullet69]

The book says to change the filter every 12,000 miles. I think that it would be your choice. I myself have changed it every year being it's only about another $16.00 for the year.

 

[4Fighter]

Quick question somewhat related to this topic....I only put on about 600-800 miles a season and my Warrior spends the offseason in my shop which is held at a constant 65 to 70 degrees year-round. I have been changing my oil and filter every fall. My question is, is this necessary or would I be OK changing it every other year with only putting this many miles on? Thanks!!!

My wife had a '76 Dodge Spirit that she NEVER changed the oil in and it ran fine. So it came as quite a shock to her when she realized that oil is NOT black when it comes out of the jug.

I change oil/filter in the Spring and store it with fresh, or slightly oxidized oil with a bit of Seafoam in it.

 

[Len Todd]

The problem is moisture. We get a certain amount of moisture in the oil. If the oil sits, the moisture can settle out and corrosion can form. Bearings are typically found in relative low spots. So, technically, there is a slight increased risk of internal corrosion when we do not change the oil frequently (e.g. once per year on a low mileage sled).

However, I have the same conditions on sled #2. Depending on how much it is used, it may NOT get an oil change every year. But, ... I do bring all my sleds' engines up to operating temperature several times during the summer. This surely keeps the water from settling and may even drive some of it off.

No technical basis behind this. It is just the way I deal with the effect a Dutch wife has had on me over the years.

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

Well guys, did not want to cause a riff between anybody, this is a great place to get great info and learn a few things about our sleds. I have picked up a lot of great info since signing up. I have been riding and wrenching on my sleds since my first sled (68 Johnson skihorse) in the early 70's and owned many different brands since, going to all Yamaha (new 93 phazers, 98 V-max/venture and 03 viper) and last fall going all 4 stroke. Since my three 4 strokes were used, I have had to do many things to get them ready for this season. I have replaced 2 tracks (upgrades to a rip saw and shotgun), 2 jackshaft bearings, 3 driveshaft bearings, several skid frame wheels/bearings and exhaust doughnuts on my wifes sled. This was all done with the cofidence I picked up by the many fine people on this web sight and my many years as a master auto tech. Keep up the good work TY advisers and others on this forum and remember, there are no dumb questions, just many possible answers.

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

Well all three sleds ran flawless this weekend, wish I could say the same for the two 02 Polairs 600's that rode with us, very frustrating to keep stoping and helping them get going. Why do some people feel you can drag your sleds out of the barn and ride like last year. Guess the oil thru the top of engine was ok. PHEW!

 

[Len Todd]

If you let it sit long enough, the oil will drain over to the tank. But, how many of us do that before we hit the key? So we tend to shy away from recommending putting the oil in via the engine. Glad to hear you made out O.K.

I have found the same thing about the folks who drive them in the barn in the spiring and drive them out in the winter, with no care given in-between. I stopped riding with these type. They are not out for a ride. They are out for an adventure! ;-)

 

[04rxwarrior06]

pretty sure you can deffinitly get by every other year, thats what i do with mine and im going on 2 years with it. hey by the way, how do you like your ulmer stage II? As for the filter, ask todd he seems to be one of the most helpfull guys on here but i think its ok.

 

[4strokelover87]

Thanks for all the input guys!! I will probably go with changing the oil every year, but maybe go every other on the filter....

04rxwarrior06.....I have only installed the Ulmer Stage II, only took about 2 hours or less....I'm am very anxious to try it out, I have heard only good things about Allan's kits!!!! He is a great guy to work with!!!!

 

[Sled Dog]

RXMax I think some respect would be in order for our tech advisors after all he is giving you some very good advise for your own good not his.

I personally have seen 2 motors go down because of air in the oil system.

BTW what does it take to be a TY Tech Adviser? Being able to give criticism/technical advice in a sarcastic manner? You and LB sure have something going for you. Let the bashing begin. Just my take following the site. Sure I don't have to like, just stating my opinion

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Hopefully, our opinions are are based on facts and objectiveness.

The likelihood of having an oil system go air bound as a result of an oil change is extremely Low. You are unique if you have personally seen two failures directly attributable to this, after an oil change. Not sure how one could definitively prove an engine failure due to being air bound. I mean what is the "smoking gun" here? I do not recall ever seening an engine airbound as a result of an oil change reported on this site either. However, I do put 1/2 quart in the Engine and the rest in the tank, when I change the filter.

I apologize if I said something that caused you to feel that I was being sarcastic, in a negative way. I do joke around a bit. Occasionally, the "thin skinned" or technically incorrect, get defensive. There is not a lot of room for these folks around here. But, we all make mistakes and typos. Fortunately, we all feel safe helping each other out with a minimum of defensiveness and yes we occasionally are a bit sarcastic.

Please do not group me in with LB. We are different. We do have some similarities, though. Occasionally, he words things a bit aggressively. So do I. But, he too is very knowledgeable about our sleds. He too takes the time to research and post info to help. We both get a little short with the guy who is obviously wrong, comes across ripe for negative sarcasm or is not willing to take the time to read a little or tell us enough about the problem for us to make a specific suggestion versus shooting in the dark.

To be a Tech Adviser, one has to be knowledgeable about sleds in general (i.e. not one specific sled), and be willing to take the time and have the technical ability to research the topics we are not so knowledgeable about. We have to be technically correct, most of the time. We have to know the right questions to ask. We have to have a view of things beyond fixing them with a band aide. We look for the root case of the problem, and then we have to be able to describe it and the fix in words and pictures. And yes, even after 10 hrs at work and couple hours of sledding, we still fire up the computer after midnight and check the "Need a Fix" and other forums for the guys we know we have waiting for help. Bottom line: Our posts have to be helpful. Apparently, the staff of this site felt LB and I (and several others) were doing that. Consequently, they asked us (including the several others) to be Tech Advisers. And given our unique personalities, seldom coinciding good days, often coinciding bad days and hundreds of posts we read, interpret and respond to each week during the snow season, we try our best.

 

[Len Todd]

I like my Stage II setup. I never really had the Rs where they we supposed to be, until I installed it. I did have to make a minor adjustment from the recommended set-up. But Allen was darned close, and the overall performance was what I wanted.

Only bad thing, ... I screwed up my old tired track, making all those hole-shots! But, ... I guess I am past that stage. Right?