Apex burning oil

[03RX1-ER-LE]

So I purchased a very clean used 2009 Apex with only 2000 miles on it, I changed the oil and used Yamalube 0W40 full synthetic, then put about 1800 miles on it the last two winters.
I had to add a pint of oil every other tank of gas last year Was thinking of adding some Yamaha ring free to the fuel (looks like fuel additive) tank and go for my first ride, then change the oil and see if that fixes my concern. Thoughts? Personal experiences? Known fixes?

 

[Pete_man26]

For some reason I thought you were only suppose to run the 0W30 semi-synthetic in the earlier model apex's, now that I check the service manual it does say to use the 0W30 semi. I know that's all I have ever run and have never had a problem. I guess it is possible for rings to be stuck if the sled was sitting for years in not the right environment. I cant see the ring free hurting anything.

 

[msgt van]

Any smoke / oil smell when it's running? Seems if you're burning that much oil there'd be some obvious signs. How do the plugs look?

 

[APEXMTSEO7]

Any smoke / oil smell when it's running? Seems if you're burning that much oil there'd be some obvious signs. How do the plugs look?

Have not personally done this but there is a "Shock Treatment" procedure using Ring Free Plus that dealers use to try to free up stuck piston rings in piston grooves.I would run regular 87 octane gas in your 09 Apex. Premium fuel might actually burn slower and colder carboning up the top end.

 

[Sasquatch]

I'm curious if the oil is being burnt ( sucked past the rings ) or blowby and sucked into the intake. One is compression the other is oil rings! This leads to how hard do you run it? Did it burn oil first season or did it start last winter? Do you have a broken oil ring? Plugs can tell you a lot about the engine.

You can try ring free, and see what that does! I've used sea foam in the oil but no hard throttle as you just thinned your oil out! My Warrior would use about a pint (give or take) a season or every 2 to 3,000 miles. It would use the most on long hard lake runs. Lots of oil in the airbox! My Apex uses near none a season. I run 0-40 Amsoil synthetic in both! You can try dino 0-30 and see if it makes a difference after you try ring free.

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

The sled has used oil the past two seasons I have owned it. Does not smoke and does not put oil in the air box (maybe a small amount but not a lot). Have not looked at plugs, we know what a PITA it is too access them, and has not fowled plugs as of yet. I only use regular gas in my sleds, do not believe in high octane fuel on a stock engine. Me being a technician all my life I have seen many negative things by using high octane fuel when not designed or mandated from the manufacture. I will say I ride with a fast group so we are on the throttle a lot, and have lake and open road long pulls of hard throttle. Nobody has said I leave a smoke trail or oil residue on their sleds. In the past I have used 0W30 in my sleds, recently went to Yamalube 4S 0W40 full synthetic on all three. I am going to try the Yamaha Ring Free in the oil and see what happens. Funny thing is my Sons 03, used a pint every 1k miles, seems like since going to 0W40 it stopped.

 

[steveg_nh]

Interesting thread and one I want to watch. Just used 0W40 full synthetic in my Attak, but of course I haven't run it yet to know if it burns anything. But read a lot before deciding what oil to use, and didn't read anything about anyone seeing any consumption issues.

 

[sgauthier]

i've got a 2011 but i've always run 0w40 yamaha full syn oil with no issues. like mentioned above i'd look at the plugs. it's not that hard to get to them once you've done it. besides, now's the time to do before the snow starts flying. let us know what you find out

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

Going up this weekend to pull my dock and pontoon and put in storage, if I get time will take a look at plugs. Will say even tho I poured oil thru it, has plenty fresh oil that way it never skipped a beat and runs like a beast. the first ride I will do the Yamalube ringfree plus in my fuel and see if that cures the oil burning issue. I am running 0W40 full synthetic Yamalube in all three sleds and there is no consumption on my son's (anymore after going from semi to full) or on my wife's sled.

 

[Sasquatch]

Id check the plugs before running the ring free! On that topic when where the plugs last changed? With a quart of oil every 3 to 400 miles or min 6 quarts in 1800 one would think the plugs would tell a story! Id do a compression test on it while you have the plugs out.

 

[darv]

when using ring free you should use it all the time you only need 2oz every tank of fuel it is also good to help with carb problems too.

 

[Pete_man26]

I thought the 03's had to run the 5w30 otherwise they ate the semi synthetic up. Anyways 2 seasons ago my father in law's 03 RX-1 was burning almost a litre of oil per tank of gas! Beginning of next season I took it upon myself to go through his sled and fix any issues and do the yearly maintenance. Since I knew it was burning tons of oil I figured what's it going to hurt if I try some Sea-Foam in the spray can and spray into the carbs while the sled is running. So I did so, sprayed a whole can throughout all four cylinders fogged out the whole yard out doing so, let the sled cool down and then change the oil. Well once winter came and a few rides were done it he kept saying how he can't believe it doesn't burn oil anymore, so if anyone out there doubts sea-foam (I was one of them) this proves that it actually does work!

 

[Sasquatch]

I thought the 03's had to run the 5w30 otherwise they ate the semi synthetic up. Anyways 2 seasons ago my father in law's 03 RX-1 was burning almost a litre of oil per tank of gas! Beginning of next season I took it upon myself to go through his sled and fix any issues and do the yearly maintenance. Since I knew it was burning tons of oil I figured what's it going to hurt if I try some Sea-Foam in the spray can and spray into the carbs while the sled is running. So I did so, sprayed a whole can throughout all four cylinders fogged out the whole yard out doing so, let the sled cool down and then change the oil. Well once winter came and a few rides were done it he kept saying how he can't believe it doesn't burn oil anymore, so if anyone out there doubts sea-foam (I was one of them) this proves that it actually does work!

Ive used sea foam in the oil every couple years in my warrior and in the gas every fall! 18,000 miles and it used half a pint to a pint a season of 2 to 3 thousand miles. Most on long lake runs! Now my Apex gets the treatment!

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

Id check the plugs before running the ring free! On that topic when where the plugs last changed? With a quart of oil every 3 to 400 miles or min 6 quarts in 1800 one would think the plugs would tell a story! Id do a compression test on it while you have the plugs out.

Sorry I have not been back on but life is pretty busy. Ran out of time winterizing the cottage/boat/dock etc. and did not look at plugs on the sled (another time hopefully before snow flies). Did start and run all three sleds. As usual the carbed sleds PITA to run at first, Apex fires right up, no smoke and smooth as hell. The oil consumption is a pint every 300 to 400 miles, last seasons ride was just under 2 1/2 quarts for around 1800 miles. Did get my ring free and will try some this season and see what happens.

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

Sorry I have not been back on but life is pretty busy. Ran out of time winterizing the cottage/boat/dock etc. and did not look at plugs on the sled (another time hopefully before snow flies). Did start and run all three sleds. As usual the carbed sleds PITA to run at first, Apex fires right up, no smoke and smooth as hell. The oil consumption is a pint every 300 to 400 miles, last seasons ride was just under 2 1/2 quarts for around 1800 miles. Did get my ring free and will try some this season and see what happens.

***UPDATE*** Been using 1 oz ring free in each tank of fuel, 1600 miles so far this season and I have not had to add any oil. I use 87 at the pump, and 0w40 full synthetic oil. Pretty happy with the ring free results. BTW using seafoam in the RX with 0w40 and 87 fuel, sled has 13k miles and have not added oil to that sled this season either.