Oil change ridiculousness :)

[skyw500vl]

Wow, what a process. Not even taliking about the stupidity of the oil filter location.. so we all know the oil change is no fun but the hex bolt on the case is super stupid. why not a 12mm bolt? Mines so tight on I dare not force it. what a garbage design, anyone got any ideas how to get this hex thing off? torch it?

Hoping this machine will never need plugs and or an oil change again, incredibly involved processes.. anyone else feel the same way? For all the talk of the bombproof reliability the basic maintainance is far too complicated & this just seems odd..

 

[Mooseman]

It should be a 12mm bolt. It's on the boss on the bottom of the oil tank. If you're fiddling with the plug on the bottom of the engine, you won't get much out of that as this is a dry sump system. I don't even bother with it with the 1/8 cup of oil you might get out of it.

One word of caution on that bolt, if it's over-torqued on there, you can break that boss right off the tank (happened to me). For the first time doing it on a new-to-you sled, I would put a set of vice-grips on the boss and use it to hold it steady while you reef on the bolt. It can also bend the bottom of the tank. Torque it right when replacing it. I've never replaced the copper washer and never had a leak from it.

It might also be worth it to pull the pickup tube screen and clean it. My MP, I had grass in it. You might have to replace the o-ring on it. It's just next to the oil drain bolt with two hex screws. Drain it and then unbolt and pull the pickup.

 

[skyw500vl]

Yes I drained the oil tank that 12mm bolt at the bottom of it is no problem, its the hex nut at the pan/ sump. That crankcase only holds 1/8th cup of oil? I drained the oiltank completly.. when i refilled the tank she only took 2.5 litres of oil to get it to the top of the H on the dipstick. How much would the filter hold?

My idle screw came off adjusting it.. it sits on the middle of a wheel (designed to adjust with fingers) cant get at it tho have to remove yet another cover with several bolts on it

 

[Mooseman]

You're actually supposed to use a screwdriver but it never worked well for me. Once you get a hold of it, put it in between the two frame tubes above the clutch. I did that and made life much easier to adjust. Engineers are sometimes as dumb as a bag of rocks! I posted a pic of what I mean but I just can't find it.

After filling and then running it, recheck the level. The filter takes about 1/3 of a litre. And you know how to check the oil level right? You don't screw the dipstick in.

 

[maim]

that sump pan drain bolt is nasty tight. i have only pulled it once on the 11. i measured the oil that came out and looked at the specs for what was considered a full oil change. i was getting out almost the same as i was putting in even with filter change.

 

[apeddigrew]

Wow, what a process. Not even taliking about the stupidity of the oil filter location.. so we all know the oil change is no fun but the hex bolt on the case is super stupid. why not a 12mm bolt? Mines so tight on I dare not force it. what a garbage design, anyone got any ideas how to get this hex thing off? torch it?

Hoping this machine will never need plugs and or an oil change again, incredibly involved processes.. anyone else feel the same way? For all the talk of the bombproof reliability the basic maintainance is far too complicated & this just seems odd..

Absolutely feel your pain! recently had to drain gas tank, so just as well to change plugs. now fearing i may need oil change due to possible washdown when trying to start w/ bad gas. sounds like i'm in for more great pains