First Oil Change and Partial Service experiences

[FrozenTows4]

A whopping 454 miles, for the season, on my 2014 XF7000. Time for the first oil change and get it ready for next season.

The operators manual is pretty vague is some areas. The drain plug has an arrow pointing to it. But upside down, and looking backwards, one needs to look for the socket head cap screw with the brass washer. It’s more of a long bolt than a drain plug.

Draining the sump was pretty straight forward. Using a cut down oil bottle, to form an off set funnel, kept everything nice and clean.

With no capacities, or procedure listed in either the operator’s manual, or big manual, filling the sump is a look & see operation. About 2 ½ quarts brought it about half way up the sight glass. Your results will vary. I’ll explain more in a bit.

Turn the key to run, to check for the low oil pressure light, as outlined in the manuals. Nothing. But we knew that. Start it up, a micro second rattle, and the oil light goes out. I could see, through the site glass, the oil being drawn down & flowing around.

Turned it off and added about another quart. That’s 3 ½ total. This brought it up to about ¼ up the sight glass. Started it to bring to operating temperature. Amazing how much the oil will expand. I watched the sight glass fill to beyond visual. Engine is turned off at the fan trigger. About 1/3 qt is removed, from the sump, with a turkey baster, to bring it to just over 1/2 sight glass. I’ll be checking the oil, again, tonight. The sled was on the stand at the time! Brain fade I guess. I have a feeling that 3 ½ quarts is going to end up being the change capacity. We’ll see tonight.

I could not find the locations, in either the operator’s manual or big manual, where the skid grease fittings are. I found four. Is that it?

Only thing left is fogging the engine. Operators manual, and big manual, says to remove the plugs and add oil to cylinders. Then slowly turn over with the key off. But we don’t have a pull rope. Also says, on electric start models, to not turn over without the spark plugs grounded. I guess that means use the emergency starting rope, with plugs out & key off, to circulate the oil?

Sorry for the long post. If you made it through, all comments and questions are extremely coveted.

 

[CBR]

With my 2014 Viper, I changed my oil at around 300 miles. My manual states that the oil capacity is 4.1 quarts, I bought the oil change kit from the dealer, and added the full gallon all at once. Since the capacity is 4.1 quarts, one gallon is perfect, right? It also says fill so the sight glass is 1/2 full. SO, 1 gallon should equate to a 1/2 full sight glass, right? In accordance with the manual...

With the full 4 quarts added, the oil level is above the sight glass. I asked the dealer if this was important, and if I should remove some, they said no, it was ok with the full 4 quarts. I have put over 700 miles on it without incident since the oil change. I also experienced the issue with the oil warning light not coming on when turning the key back on.

 

[rbell14]

Agree with 4qts of oil. I have 700 miles with that level.

 

[FrozenTows4]

The 4 qts brings it 1/2 way up the sight glass? Or over?

 

[cannondale27]

Procedure as I have always done is add to 1/2 sight glass. About 3 qts then run a minute or so shut it off, let sit a couple minutes then fill to half if needed. Usually about 1/2qt. As for oil light manual is wrong. It comes on for just a instant when key is turned on then goes off. If oil pressure is a issue it will come on like if you tip sled over on its side.

 

[cannondale27]

As for oil in cylinders wouldnt hurt I guess. Fuel and Battery is what I worry about. Add fresh gas to top then have been putting the Yamaha Fuel Med in there. In fall I drain as much gas as I can and put it in truck before even starting sled. Battery I run in the Jet Ski and put on tender when not running Ski.

 

[FrozenTows4]

As for oil in cylinders wouldnt hurt I guess.........

Interesting. I take it you don't oil the cylinders? First 4 stroke sled here. I'm still in 2 stroke mode.

 

[cannondale27]

No but I have mine stored in real dry conditions. It cant hurt but just a little oil so you dont hydrolock it. I would worry about fouling plugs which is a pain to change.

 

[FrozenTows4]

Yep. Right at 3 1/2 quarts. That brings it to the top, of the sight glass, when warm. No oil in cylinders. Plenty of StaBil Marine in the gas. Looked again, and looks like only 4 skid grease fittings. Off to dealer for new fan and then tucked in for the summer. Thanks for your help.

 

[yamaha06]

When I had my nytro I never put oil in the cylinders, I always changed the oil in the chaincase and the engine, fill the sled up and put some seafoam in there. I would sometimes start it through out the summer. Also put the battery on a battery tender.

 

[rocco17]

Yep. Right at 3 1/2 quarts. That brings it to the top, of the sight glass, when warm. No oil in cylinders. Plenty of StaBil Marine in the gas. Looked again, and looks like only 4 skid grease fittings. Off to dealer for new fan and then tucked in for the summer. Thanks for your help.

new fan? i start to overheat when we stop for a few minutes is there something i should know

 

[FrozenTows4]

new fan? i start to overheat when we stop for a few minutes is there something i should know

Make sure the fan is turning on. If not, things will heat up really fast. My current fan blows fuses. Defective fans appear to be a fairly common issue.

 

[cannondale27]

Sunday and Monday temps were about 50 deg F and there was long stretches with NO snow. Like miles long. My temp gauge showed a consistent 166F if I shut sled off and sat like for filling with gas it would be way up near 220+ but would immediately drop once it started. We do not have a cooling problem unless you have something wrong. I never lost any coolant. Only thing to figure out with warm weather riding is how to keep Carbides on!

 

[FrozenTows4]

NO snow. Like miles long. My temp gauge showed a consistent 166F

Same here. Although I didn't ride any no snow conditions. If you're moving, all is good.

if I shut sled off and sat like for filling with gas it would be way up near 220+

I know the feeling. Pretty scary.

would immediately drop once it started.

It's all about air flow. And your fan is doing it's job. Which really helps.

We do not have a cooling problem unless you have something wrong. I never lost any coolant.

Agreed. My fan is shot, so no idle cooling. I never did loose any coolant. Watched that gauge like a hawk. I had to shoot across the pavement, at the gas station to grab a snow bank, to cool below surge/limp mode. 5-10 seconds of snow, and moving, cools it down really fast. Even without the fan. The fan is getting replaced none the less.

 

[cannondale27]

Yes fix fan and you are good. No worries about overheating. Here is what many miles looked like Sunday. No issue except carbides!