Spyder RT oil tank overfill

[50fathomsdown]

I have asked this question to different techs on the Rotax motor getting different answers.
Drove home my 2011 Spyder RT from the dealer 56 miles. Pulled in my garage and checked the oil level by the book. Found it was over filled. Some one at the dealer in prep added oil to the full mark in a cold engine. I drew off 10 oz to get it down to the cold check level. Any damage done?

The answers I got:
1. it runs hotter when over filled.
2 its not good to the rods.
3 Scores the cylinder walls.
4 causes frothing/bubbles in the oil tank

It does run cooler after I drew off the excess. What about the others

[Jeff Woodard]

Originally Posted by 50fathomsdown

I have asked this question to different techs on the Rotax motor getting different answers.
Drove home my 2011 Spyder RT from the dealer 56 miles. Pulled in my garage and checked the oil level by the book. Found it was over filled. Some one at the dealer in prep added oil to the full mark in a cold engine. I drew off 10 oz to get it down to the cold check level. Any damage done?

The answers I got:
1. it runs hotter when over filled.
2 its not good to the rods.
3 Scores the cylinder walls.
4 causes frothing/bubbles in the oil tank

It does run cooler after I drew off the excess. What about the others

I have the GS/RS version but you should check out the intake filter box. This is where the extra oil goes when it is overfilled.

[50fathomsdown]

Thanks Jeff I will check that box. and filter.. Since I drew down the oil level I have driven it another 100 miles and Haven't noticed any changes in the performance of the motor. No smoke no rapping sounds. Motor is smooth running as before. But the gas mileage went up a little. Nearing the 600 mile checkup and leery about have these guys do it. It includes an oil change and filter.

[zeebill]

From personal experience it does cause bubbles and frothing in the oil because of the way BuRP designed the oil tank return. It does have a tendency to make it run hotter too. The other stuff I have no idea but I know when you overfill a normal vehicle it does make for excess internal crankcase pressures which is not a good condition. Bill

[50fathomsdown]

Thanks zeebill. It only ran about 59 miles berfore i drew off 10oz. Its at 400 running smoother and seems to have picked up on power and gas mileage.

The most important is to inform other owners or future owners that it can happen,

[50fathomsdown]

Now that I've hit the mileage I wanted to get to.

During the past 2000 miles I have seen significant improvement in smoothness and performance.
I have done some oil checks to veryify the hot and cold procedure found in the owners manual and the cold check indication of half way seems accurate for a quick check before a morning ride. My dealer said no.

The oil in it now is the BRP summer grade. Would expansion coefficients be different for synthetics or semi-synthetics?
The motor runs so smooth now it's sounding like a smooth deep rumbling OHC 4. And No oil loss so far

[paridgerunner]

Rode our new RT-S home a few weeks ago, the long route (about 180 miles). Next day I checked the oil, filled to the top just to the bottom of the threads on the tank! Sucked out almost a quart to get it to the right level. I think there are too many inexperienced "Tech's" that assemble these bikes. I have been working on bikes for 30+ years and just can't bring myself to trust anyone to work on mine, will be doing as much of the service work as possible.

[Bob Denman]

There are some VERY specific instructions in the manual regarding checking oil levels and filling the tank with the proper amount...

[50fathomsdown]

paridgerunner: Glad you remembered to check it like I did. I'm doing the oil changes myself. Not only for the overfill reason but the additional labor cost. And I'm searching for synthetic blends that meet the required oil codes. summer blend around here and on E-bay is over ten a quart.

[Jeff Woodard]

paridgerunner, did you ever check your airbox? A rider in my area had his oil changed by our dealer and it was overfilled. The oil ended up in the airbox then ran all over the engine .