jaydaniels
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I have s service manual and it recommends an oil change every 2500mi or seasonally, which seems right, but an oil filter change only every 12,000mi. Seems like a lot on one oil filter. What are your thoughts on this??
Most people change the oil and filter every season.
KevinS
Expert
This has been discussed, rehashed and argued a million times. Some people change them every year others don't. I don't follow Yamaha's recommendation and instead change the filter every other season but change the oil every year.
Supposedly the oil filter only gets used during low RPMs so the majority of the time it is being bypassed.
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=87172
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=78231
Supposedly the oil filter only gets used during low RPMs so the majority of the time it is being bypassed.
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=87172
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=78231
jaydaniels
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I guess for the extra $10.00 it might be worth changing every year.
It's not the $10 as much as it is the PITA to get to the filter.


Super Sled
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watersuper said:It's not the $10 as much as it is the PITA to get to the filter.
X2. I change the oil annually. The filter however is a joke where they put it with no access how to get to it. Yamaha should have put an access panel on the bottom of the engine to get to it.
Mike
Irv
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mntvipermn said:watersuper said:It's not the $10 as much as it is the PITA to get to the filter.
X2. I change the oil annually. The filter however is a joke where they put it with no access how to get to it. Yamaha should have put an access panel on the bottom of the engine to get to it.
Mike
Didn't realize the Apex's didn't have the same access panel?
Is the filter located in the same spot as the Vectors?
Personnally, on my Vector, the filter will be changed everytime I change the oil, seems like a no-brainer to me?


Super Sled
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Irv said:Didn't realize the Apex's didn't have the same access panel?
Is the filter located in the same spot as the Vectors?
Hey Irv:
I don't know about the Vectors, but the Apex filter is on the front of the engine, underneath the air box and battery. There is no way to get to the filter, absent a Sawzall, with out removing said parts from the Apex first, to get to the filter location.
IMO, it is a royal PITA. A real design oversight by Yamaha. Then they cover for it by advising to only change the filter every 12,000 miles. That is like every 5 or 6 years for most I'd say. Seems like too long.
But I fortunately recently got my hands on an Ulmer's Apex oil filter relocate kit, so my filter changes will be easier soon!
Mike
Irv
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mntvipermn said:Irv said:Didn't realize the Apex's didn't have the same access panel?
Is the filter located in the same spot as the Vectors?
Hey Irv:
I don't know about the Vectors, but the Apex filter is on the front of the engine, underneath the air box and battery. There is no way to get to the filter, absent a Sawzall, with out removing said parts from the Apex first, to get to the filter location.
IMO, it is a royal PITA. A real design oversight by Yamaha. Then they cover for it by advising to only change the filter every 12,000 miles. That is like every 5 or 6 years for most I'd say. Seems like too long.
But I fortunately recently got my hands on an Ulmer's Apex oil filter relocate kit, so my filter changes will be easier soon!
Mike
I had no idea it was that hard.
My bud purchased an Apex this past winter and was talking about taking it in for an oil change as he said it was too difficult to do himself?
I did my Vector and thought to myself he must not be to mechanically inclined, LOL.
Now I know different, thanks for letting me know.
i go by yamaha's filter change recomondation. and i doubt if the oil filter is bypassed at any time.
FireStone
Pro
oil and filter at max 2200-2400miles.
The only thing that you need is a long allen-key 4mm. almost 7-8inch for the intake collars.
A Snap-on key with round head is the best.
The only thing that you need is a long allen-key 4mm. almost 7-8inch for the intake collars.
A Snap-on key with round head is the best.

kinger
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Yes yamaha got it right on the vector. The oil filter is right under the access panel. Its easy peasy.
On the 4 cyl I guess its a byproduct of shoving a motorcycle engine in a sled chassis. Its a PITA and I will follow the 12,000 mile rule and basically never change it LOL
On the 4 cyl I guess its a byproduct of shoving a motorcycle engine in a sled chassis. Its a PITA and I will follow the 12,000 mile rule and basically never change it LOL
quebecmoutainrider
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
I take my wifes and mine to the dealer.they only charge one hour.75$ each.plus oil and filter.
.but I did do it one time.
.and that was good enough for me..lol..doing berrings and slides is enough for me..I like to just turn that key.. 




Maxout01
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I gotta agree and dis agree here. First the design of where the filter is is indeed freakin ridiculous and requires alot to get to it. BUT these are sleds.. we have like a 10 month down time for gods sake.. If you cant handle changing the oil and filter every season in a 10 month down time your just plain lazy or afraid to work on a sled, lol!!


Super Sled
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Maxout01 said:If you cant handle changing the oil and filter every season in a 10 month down time your just plain lazy or afraid to work on a sled, lol!!
Come on Maxout, I'm not afraid to work on my sled(s), and I have lot's of mods/repair work under my belt to show for it. I think I'm as much of a sled/ Yamaha junky as most on this site!
But come on, you shouldn't have to remove the whole airbox and entire battery/bracket holder just to get to the oil filter. Obviously an access panel either from the front (under the hood), or the bottom would have been a better idea.
Mike
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