Checking oil and water

R

RDENHOMER

Joined Oct 2009

46 Posts | 0+

Discussion Starter
• Nov 21, 2009

• #1

I HAD MY RSV FACTORY IN SEPTEMBER 2009 I HAVE NEVER HAD A BIKE WITH A DRY SUMP BEFORE DONT UNDERSTAND THE WAY TO CHECK OIL AND WATER CANT SEE THE MARKS ON THE WATER BOTTLE :dunno

 

L

LEGS

• Nov 21, 2009

• #2

To check the oil, ride the bike for at least 20 minutes to warm everything up. Stop somewhere safe and flat and switch off the engine. Immediately check the level in the sight tube. It should be no more than 2/3 rds the way up. Most people get into the habbit of checking while at fuel stops or immediately after a ride out.

To check the water just look at the level in the expansion tank. There is an indicator line to which the water should be at.

 

R

RDENHOMER

Joined Oct 2009

46 Posts | 0+

Discussion Starter
• Nov 22, 2009

• #3

THANKS FOR THAT M8:thumbup

 

P

pieman

• Nov 22, 2009

• #4

water should be checked cold btw. Mine disappeared last month but when i opened the upper cap there was still water in the rest of the system, grif mentioned that the water bottle is just a header tank really. I find shining a torch shows me where the level is

 

R

RDENHOMER

Joined Oct 2009

46 Posts | 0+

Discussion Starter
• Nov 22, 2009

• #5

I cant see any water level on mine do i need to take the side panel off

 

R

RStuVR

• Nov 22, 2009

• #6

I run my bike until the fans come on before I check my oil level, (I was told to do it this way by my Aprilia dealer). I guess that way you make sure that any small amounts of water are evaporated so you get a true oil level reading.

 

A

A303

• Nov 22, 2009

• #7

RDENHOMER said:

I cant see any water level on mine do i need to take the side panel off

Click to expand...

I have to mate - you can't see the level in mine without doing it - although, as said above, getting it in the dark and shining a torch from the front of the fairing sometimes works. Less hassle just to whip the side panel off.

 

L

LEGS

• Nov 22, 2009

• #8

RStuVR said:

I run my bike until the fans come on before I check my oil level, (I was told to do it this way by my Aprilia dealer). I guess that way you make sure that any small amounts of water are evaporated so you get a true oil level reading.

Click to expand...

You can do it this way, but the reason you need to check the oil level in these ways described is because of the dry sump engine design. I would be worried if there was water in the oil

 

P

pieman

• Nov 22, 2009

• #9

the water is on the offside of the bike. Oil on nearside.

 

R

RDENHOMER

Joined Oct 2009

46 Posts | 0+

Discussion Starter
• Nov 23, 2009

• #10

NO THERE IS NO WATER IN THE OIL I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT A DRY SUMP IS WHERE IS THE OIL THEN AND WHERE DOES IT SIT IN THE ENGINE:dunno

 

I

IanG

• Nov 23, 2009

• #11

The oil is scavenged to the steel tank strapped to the l/h side of the engine,effectively there is no sump in the motor as such. Hence having to get the oil up to temperature and circulated properely before checking the level



And please take off the CAPS LOCK ....it's shouting :devious very bad etiquette (sp)

 

R

RDENHOMER

Joined Oct 2009

46 Posts | 0+

Discussion Starter
• Nov 23, 2009

• #12

sorry m8 took caps off now

 

I

IanG

• Nov 23, 2009

• #13

LOL :thumbup just makes things easier to read as well.

Are you happy with checking the fluid levels now?

 

R

RDENHOMER

Joined Oct 2009

46 Posts | 0+

Discussion Starter
• Nov 23, 2009

• #14

yes thanks m8

 

P

pieman

• Nov 24, 2009

• #15

apparently a dry sump should take oil back into the tank as well as taking it out. I guess if the engine is cold not so much oil gets taken back into the tank to be measured? I tend to do at least 15 miles when i go out (thats my commute) and pretty much can always see oil in the tube, even after it was sitting for a week waiting for some forks to come back