Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: Sub on April 21, 2011, 05:29:27 am

Title: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Sub on April 21, 2011, 05:29:27 am
How much are you guys burning per 1K miles?
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Tecomakeith on April 21, 2011, 06:31:30 am
Numero Uno, zero. ;D
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: raycopper on April 21, 2011, 10:31:06 am
Zero
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Rosetap on April 21, 2011, 12:06:36 pm
Burning?  None, even on my AVL.
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Tri750 on April 21, 2011, 12:31:20 pm
Of all the RE's we've sold, no oil burned that we are aware of.
In the BMW world, on a new bike, .5L per 1k is acceptable until it runs in. (on our boxer twin)

Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: ScooterBob on April 21, 2011, 12:59:03 pm
Of all the RE's we've sold, no oil burned that we are aware of.
In the BMW world, on a new bike, .5L per 1k is acceptable until it runs in. (on our boxer twin)


You'd think that BMW could invent a piston ring after 70 years or so ..... I guess people just got USED to "topping up" on the German stuff .... Hahaha! The UCE, however, should be "burn free" when it comes to oil consumption. They are equipped with a state of the art ring package and the best finished, ROUNDEST (a first for RE!) cylinders that I've ever seen outside of a Honda ..... If it IS using oil, it needs to back in a dealer's garage for repair.
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 21, 2011, 02:57:18 pm
I've been losing some oil, an ounce or two here or there.  It doesn't seem to be leaking but I also don't see any blue smoke.  Gremlins :)  I am running 10w40 full synth right now.  I'm going to change to 20w50 and see what that does.

Scott
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: olhogrider on April 21, 2011, 03:02:54 pm
20-50 full synth after the first change. Not a drop used in 2200 miles.
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: singhg5 on April 21, 2011, 03:20:45 pm
No oil burning or lost that I am aware of.  The oil level in the window remains at the same spot until the next oil change is done.
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: r80rt on April 21, 2011, 03:54:50 pm
None.
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: prof_stack on April 21, 2011, 04:13:16 pm
After 1,400 miles, none that I can see. 
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: YJake on April 21, 2011, 04:45:57 pm
During the first 4 oil changes within the 1,500 mile break-in period I had observed absolutely no oil usage by the bike. However, I then did an oil change after 1,500 miles and had observed a slight amount of oil usage, but minimal.

Keep in mind though, I run my bike at 60-75mph for 40minutes twice a day for my daily commute and have even tested the top speed which resulted in an 85mph blast with a hair of throttle left (Completely stock bike with a tail bag and hefty rider as well mind you ;)). I believe that these daily running practices may be what had caused me to burn a slight amount of oil off during that change. The bike is a daily workhorse and I'm curious to see how the bike manages over the next year.

-Jake



Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: gashousegorilla on April 21, 2011, 06:24:00 pm
 I haven't noticed any loss, but over time, I would imagine you could lose a small amount through the crank vent. Especially if over filled.
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: clubman on April 21, 2011, 07:11:02 pm
Mine does use some oil but very little. About 100ml per 1,000m.
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: GreenMachine on April 21, 2011, 07:22:54 pm
06 iron, 8.5 k miles, very little oil loss...not enought to talk about..i better be shut up now... ;D
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Tri750 on April 22, 2011, 12:23:51 am
20-50 full synth after the first change. Not a drop used in 2200 miles.

We use BMW 15w50 Full Synthetic right out of the box per ScooterBob.
We get in in the handy 55gal size so the price is not too terrible.
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Maturin on April 22, 2011, 01:05:41 pm
Precious needs ca. 0,1-0,2 litres per 1000 km. I doubt that she burns it - the only spot to loose this amount would be the drive pinion´s shaft, as it is sourrounded by a brownish sauce that - I suspect - is not only chain grease but some engine oil, too. Hard to say. Does anyone changed the o-ring there? How complicated could that be?
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 22, 2011, 03:41:44 pm
Precious needs ca. 0,1-0,2 litres per 1000 km. I doubt that she burns it - the only spot to loose this amount would be the drive pinion´s shaft, as it is surrounded by a brownish sauce that - I suspect - is not only chain grease but some engine oil, too. Hard to say. Does anyone changed the o-ring there? How complicated could that be?

I need to take a closer look at mine there too, I suspect the same thing.  It would explain the loss with no puddle in the garage, only happens when running.  I haven't changed that but I'm guessing it's not too big of a deal.  Drain oil, pop the side plate, pull the chain and cog, change seal.  Just need a new seal and side gasket.

Scott
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Andy on April 22, 2011, 03:51:33 pm
I drain the oil out of my airbox regularly.  (Of course, I push mine a little harder than most...)  ;D
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: olhogrider on April 22, 2011, 04:07:07 pm
To isolate the chain sludge I would thoroughly clean the chain and switch to chain wax for a while. If you still have sludge it could be the seal. Another solution is a dye that you put in the oil. It will show that engine oil is lubing your chain. It has been decades since I used it but I'm sure they still make the dye.
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 22, 2011, 05:11:23 pm
I only use dry teflon chain lube.  It cakes up a bit at the front sprocket but it looks like more than than.  I've never had any oil at all in the air box.

Scott
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Tri750 on April 22, 2011, 05:28:19 pm
Any warranty left?
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: olhogrider on April 22, 2011, 05:29:57 pm
Oil in the airbox is usually from overfilling the crankcase.
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: SJB on April 22, 2011, 05:43:34 pm
Haven't had any oil used up by the running of the bike in the last 1 1/2 years since new. Only spits some oil out the crankcase breather this Summer when revved hard - must have just brimmed the oil during the last change in Winter and it's expanded now. Will set it right this week - due for a change anyway moving to 300V full synth from semi synth.

The usual splattering of oil from the chain lube near the front sprocket - initially thought it was a leak from the kick-shaft seal, but no worries since using the spray lube - some gunk to clean off after the first ride after chain lube and it's OK until the next spray.
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 22, 2011, 05:55:32 pm
Any warranty left?

Yup, I've had it less than a year and already spoken to my mechanic about it.  I'm running 10w40 right now as an experiment so I'll swtich back to a 50 weight oil first but if it's still losing oil we'll dig deeper.  One of the bummers of the auto decompressor is you can't do a simple compression test.  You have to do a leak down test and I don't have the equipment for that.

Scott
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Maturin on April 22, 2011, 07:51:53 pm
To isolate the chain sludge I would thoroughly clean the chain and switch to chain wax for a while. If you still have sludge it could be the seal. Another solution is a dye that you put in the oil. It will show that engine oil is lubing your chain. It has been decades since I used it but I'm sure they still make the dye.

Dye? Exellent idea, I didn´t know this trick. Thank´s a lot, I´m going to get that soon. Foolproof solution, tailor-made for me  ;D
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 22, 2011, 08:59:21 pm
Oh!  Missed that earlier.  Yes I've seen this mentioned and used before on other forums.  A good idea to be sure.
http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=TRATP3090-0101&source=froogle&kw=TRATP3090-0101
Probably available at your local auto shop too.

Or this trick:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/maintenance/1272471
Existing chain lube shouldn't show up and it washes away with water when you're done.

Scott
Title: Re: Oil burning/usage
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 22, 2011, 09:15:20 pm
And:
http://www.instructables.com/id/5-Min-Build-1-LED-Flashlight/?utm_source=pdf&utm_campaign=related#step1

Scott