Has anyone solved the oil consumption problem?

[RX1Jim]

Has anyone definitively solved the oil consumption problem with the 2003 and 2004 RX1's? I know many have tried the "ring-free" and Seafoam additive approaches and some have changed the piston rings to the 2005 version. Mine was using about 1/2 qt. in 1200 miles but would like it to consume much less. My sport bikes (ZX11 and GSX1300R) do not consume a measureable amount of oil in thousands of miles of riding. If the 05 rings have solved the problem than I will re-ring the engine. Thanks!!!

 

[kinger]

Is your engine stock? What weight oil do you use?

That is hardly enough to justify a re-ring, why worry about it? Even if you put on 6000 miles a winter its 3 qts all year.

 

[LazyBastard]

I agree.

Its also not fair to compare it with bikes since bikes don't spend nearly as much time spinning real fast. If those bikes spend half their life spinning over 10000 rpm, they'd probably use a little oil too.

 

[low slung]

The only solution i found is to use yamaha combustion chamber cleaner(follow the directions on the can) , run the sled for 20miles then change the oil.This solution works for about 300miles then the sled starts to burn oil again(a quart in 300miles).I price a ring-job at a local dealer that did one for a customer that had 04RX-1 that comsumed oil(they said it fixed the problem)but at $700+CDN i figure its cheaper to do the combustion chamber cleaning.

 

[RaWarrior]

Half a quart in 1200 miles is nothing to be worried about. People have reported a quart every couple hundred miles in 03/04 motors.

My 05 uses about 1/4 quart per 1000 miles. I just check it every so often and top up as needed. Every 4 stroke motor "burns" some oil, most cars have a bit in the owner's manual stating that a 1/2 or 1 quart every 5k or so miles is normal usage.

Considering these motors spin a lot faster and run at much tighter tolerances(try getting a 4 cylinder neon/focus/cobalt to 10,000 RPM), a bit of oil use is normal.

 

[woodchk454]

I did a post on here last year to find the worst oil consumption. Last season (after seafoam treatment) I averaged 170 mi from full til oil light coming on. Dont have the $$ to rering so Ill just fill it up again this year.

 

[kinger]

woodchk454 - is your engine stock? Are you using 5w30?

 

[woodchk454]

Yep bone stock engine. I was running yamaha oil first 2 seasons as the useage got worse I had to start putting anything available along the trail. Next step 85/140 gear oil

 

[darv]

there is a tech up-date about this what you need to do is go to your dealer and pick up some ring free and put in the gas follow instructions . when done change oil & filter the dealer that i work at we have done 2 sleds and it help a lot if this does't work you will have to re-ring but call yamaha they may help

 

[RX1Jim]

Yes, the engine is completely stock. I've been running the 0-40W yamalube. The engine has about 4000 miles on it. It just bugs the crap out of me to know it is consuming oil, just feels like the engine is defective. LB has a good point about the comparison to my sport bikes, overall they do spend most of the time at lower RPMs. The last long ride I did with my 03 RX1 was about 1800 miles in Quebec, did a lot of long runs at 70-80 mph. It used a little more than 1/2 qt.. I'll give it the Yamaha ring-free treatments and see if it improves. Thanks!!

 

[kinger]

The 03's also spec'd 5w30 before the 0w40 was out, most of the oil consumption is on cold start up and the 0 weight can get sucked out of the crank case. I was running 0w30 last year with the EVAC on my filter set up and it was sucking the oil too much at start up. This year I will run 5w30 and vent the crankcase normally and not hook it to the intake.

 

[darv]

also make shure your vent tube going to the air box has been done there was a tech tips in the 2004 book page 3-12 this might help if can not get it let me know and i can email it or call jerry 807-274-6907

 

[low slung]

Do they sale ring-free in canada now or can it be purchase only south of the border?

 

[darv]

yes here is the part # ACC-RNGFR-EE-1L it in the new accessories catalog

 

[woodchk454]

Darv thanks for the advice on dealer But I dont trust my local dealer... At all. Closest that I do trust is 200 mi away but since I bought sled out of state not sure theyll be to willing to cut me a break on a rering. Will also try to do a search for vent tube mod on here. If not I may pm you. Thanks again.

Kinger Im not sure my issue is cold start related. I am not kidding about starting in morning and by the end of the day my oil light has come on and for the most part when take off for the day they dont sit much we usually only stop for gas, snack, lunch, or the occasional let everyone group up and bs for a while.

Ive been holding off the last 2 season on the rering cause I want to port the head but family and working career but getting crazy (got this whoop #*$&@ MI economy goin for me). :exc:

I figure if I take it apart I only want to do it once.