would u change oil filter

[apexgt4life]

Changed oil filter on my apex last 2 seasons last year i put on only about 500 miles, i will change oil but is it really necesary to change filter, such a pain in the a-- and i beleive yamaha only specifies every 5000

 

[Shivesy]

I'm in the same boat but I put 2,000 miles on mine last year. I'm gonna change the oil but not the filter. I believe that the filter is good for alot more than that. I say leave it.

 

[apexgt4life]

yea thats what i was thinking, such a pain to do, yamaha rep told me that u should not even touch the filter after breakin for 5000 miles

 

[1CrazySledder]

Call me crazy, but I change mine every season, no matter the miles. Oil also. I changed mine twice last season due to the 4000+ miles I put on.

Of course, I am really picky when it comes to my sleds.

 

[bashley]

I've never changed the oil on anything without changing the filter but if I were to do it I'd make sure and flush the crap out of it with new stuff. I know the filter doesn't hold alot, but it only takes a little old stuff to contaminate a whole batch of new. Just my $.02.

 

[apltx08]

Not changing your OIL FILTER is like taking your bath in someone elses dirty water!

Its cheap insurance, I've changed my oil once without doing the filter 'cause it was getting over due and we had to run the next day early for a 3 day trip and just got lazy! once I got back home from the trip a little over 1500kms guess what...I changed the OIL & FILTER and felt a LOT better afterwards...LOL

I'm seriuosly thinking of going the ULMER RACING way w/relocating kit they sell to fit it up in the nose (APEX/ATTAK)

here's the link http://www.ulmerracing.com/ click on ACCESSORIES and you'll see it...looks real sharp and cuts down on time and labour for oil changes.

 

[Blue Dave]

I agree that it just makes sense to change the filter with every oil change. It is really not that hard of a job and most of us only need to do this once a year.

I was thinking about Ulmer's filter relocation kit but my concern is that if it failed and the motor was damaged Yamaha probably would not warranty it.

 

[Shivesy]

There are so many things that can go wrong with these sleds and most of them are discussed here on this forum. I have yet to read about motor problems because someone forgot to change their oil filter after they put on 500, 1,000 or 5,000 miles between oil changes. Now I do change the oil and filter after the first 500 miles to remove all the particles that a new motor expells. If there is one item that is built better than anything it's the engine. For me there are to many things to worry about then to change the filter again at low miles. Yamaha recommends via the owners manual to change every 12,000 miles. Now I do clean my filter after 4,000 miles but it's my air filter. I'm not saying you guys are wrong for changing them at these low miles but I strongly believe it's not neccesary.

 

[welterracer]

If you look in the manual for an RX-1 they say to change the oil filter every 11,000 miles

I usually change it every 2-3000 miles.. but i have changed the oil in the past without changing the filter..

 

[apexgt4life]

yea i figured some of you would say just change it but in reallity i really dont even have to change the oil but I am going to, probably will change the filter, main reason for not is i feel the less you take something aprt the better and longer it will last, for example evertime you unscrew an screw somehting in it gets a little looser especially plastic screws and thats my main concern.

 

[LJ 452]

With only 500 miles on the oil that's currently in the motor, and since summer is nearing the end. I don't know that I would change it out rite now. You may be better of changing it after the first or second ride. I've always changed mine right after the last ride to avoid storing the sled with old oil. In your case the oil isn't that old plus it's already sat for a few months. Starting it up, changing the oil, and then starting it up again a few times to adjust oil level may be worse than just changing it mid season. I don't know just a thought. Another option is you could take a sample and have it tested I have no idea how much that costs, but a lot of guys in a diesel forum i'm in, do it with their truck oil. Besides it could be good info and maybe answer some unknown questions. In the end, when in doubt change it out. I would just run the sled on a track stand with a cold hose on the heat exchangers which should let you run the motor longer before the temp light comes on.

 

[apltx08]

I agree that it just makes sense to change the filter with every oil change. It is really not that hard of a job and most of us only need to do this once a year.

I was thinking about Ulmer's filter relocation kit but my concern is that if it failed and the motor was damaged Yamaha probably would not warranty it.

I have the same fear for WARRANTY, thats all whats stopping me to install 1, I even e-mailed Yam with this concern of warranty and never got a reply back...

 

[LJ 452]

I don't know if anyone has tested it but as long as there wasn't a drop in oil pressure due to the hose/adapter it shouldn't effect the oiling system. Now if it were to leak or malfuntion would the engine turn off? I know there was a post about this and if I remember correctly the motor will only shut down if no oil pressure is found upon initial start up. I wonder if a code would flash on the gauge. Anyone know?

 

[1CrazySledder]

code 30.

Fuel injection and pump stop when oil pressure drop is detected.

 

[monsterattak]

my 2 cents.

I certainly don't think it would ever hurt anything to change the filter every time but I also do not think it is in anyway necessary.

Our sleds run in a dust and dirt free enviroment. (at least they should)

No dirt and no dust getting past an air filter equals very little to filter.. The only entry point for dust and dirt in the engine is the intake and if no dirt or dust is sucked in there shouldn't be anything to filter out of the oil. I highly doubt with spinning 11,000 rpm that there are too many metal shavings flying around.. at least not for long. Lots of stuff to filter if you blow it up but oh well there is more to worry about by then!

Anything that runs in summer is way more apt to clog its oil filter and needs filters much more often..

cars,trucks, atv's etc... sucking dirt constantly... oil gets very dirty..

My oil usually looks about the same when i drain it as when i pour it in.. maybe a shade or two darker.

If I ran grass drags I would change the filter for sure..

Running on snow i find it hard to believe Yamaha would not reccomend a shorter change interval than 12k since it only stands to gain income from filter sales and people that pay dealers to change the oil and filter. If a shorter interval was required they would reccomend it..

why wouldn't they? they have everything to gain. In fact they could use the filter change against you for warranty if the interval was shorter. The dealers could write the miles on the filter and really screw some folks over if the interval was say 1000 miles or something like that.

I could see it happening "sorry sir you didnt change your oil filter often enough... no warranty for you!"