[bcsman]

So want to change the oil on my new to me 1998 Foreman 450ES. I understand you need to use special oil to lube the wet clutch. I have been looking at Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 5W-40. Before I purchase the gallon has anyone here used this with the wet clutch quads? Thanks...

 

[SamUK]

I think the FSM calls for 10w40, quite a few here use rotella though, it appears to be quite good. I’m not sure on USA oil specs for wet clutches, I know it has to be JASO approved and that’s about it.

 

[wheelsquad]

So want to change the oil on my new to me 1998 Foreman 450ES. I understand you need to use special oil to lube the wet clutch. I have been looking at Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 5W-40. Before I purchase the gallon has anyone here used this with the wet clutch quads? Thanks...

Thousands and thousands of owners of atv and motorcycles with wet clutches run this oil. Just do a simple google search or read reviews on retailers websites.

 

[Macarena Man]

Shell Rotella T6 ..... 5W-40
Synthetic and JASO MA
JASO ... (Japanese Automotive Standards Organization) is a grading system for motorcycle oils.
I prefer to use a OEM Honda oil filter .... there are other manufacturers also.
Feel confident using the Rotella T6 .... both my 450's run quieter and shift smoothly.
Where are you located ?
Post a pic of your machine if you can.
Welcome !

 

[mrbb]

yes it will be fine and work well
s for weights of oil, there are 2 recommend in the owners manual, and its based on average riding temps that the atv will be used in
I personally have been running 0-40 4 stroke oil in mine for the past 20 yrs now, and she runs like a clock and I have been far from easy on it, in temps to minus 20 and lower and above a 100
so weight of oil can be a personal choice
and there are more than one that works well

the bigger key ion oil is changing it when NEEDED and not just by hours or miles IMO
work the crap out of a motor and you need to change oil sooner than recommended!
run in dusty conditions often and again change sooner!
also keep your air filter clean too check often and clean/ re oil as needed !

 

[bcsman]

Shell Rotella T6 ..... 5W-40
Synthetic and JASO MA
JASO ... (Japanese Automotive Standards Organization) is a grading system for motorcycle oils.
I prefer to use a OEM Honda oil filter .... there are other manufacturers also.
Feel confident using the Rotella T6 .... both my 450's run quieter and shift smoothly.
Where are you located ?
Post a pic of your machine if you can.
Welcome !

Sorry thought I put my location in when I registered, I'm in the thumb of Michigan. Will post a couple pics...

 

[shadetree]

not a fan of es models at all, but nice atv ya got !. I am currently restoring another trx450fm model ( same as yours, cept its manual shift ), this is about my 3rd trx450 i've restored, if ya got any questions, just ask ! .

 

[bcsman]

not a fan of es models at all, but nice atv ya got !. I am currently restoring another trx450fm model ( same as yours, cept its manual shift ), this is about my 3rd trx450 i've restored, if ya got any questions, just ask ! .

Yea I kinda got the impression you aren't a fan of the ES...lol There is a very good post here by Kentco on fixing the ES by removing the motor and cleaning the old thick grease out then replacing with white lithium. Sounds like something I may do as it may be within my realm of abilities, which is average at best.

 

[LedFTed]

Near everybody here gets the impression that Shade aint to fond of es. lols. i use castro; 10w-40 JASO or what relates to temperature with this.. this works for me. a lot of choice's with JASO oils. mbrr said to change oil when its dirty, not rely on hours. that makes a lot of since, with more than, atv's.
keep up the research. a lot has been said at this site.

 

[mrbb]

I think a TON of members here and honda atv fans are NOT a fan of the e shift models, we(me included) just see e shift as one more thing to worry about, they seem to have a LOT more issue's based on how many treads are online ALL the time about shifting use's and yet,m almost NEVER a post or tread about a foot shift having any shifting issues period!
so to use older guys that find RELIABLE things more important than pushing a button ease, you will find few that recommend them to anyone looking to buy a Honda atv!
WHEN they work they work FINE, so its not all bad with them, but its just the FACT they tend to have more down time, which many of us prefer to try to avoid in life!

 

[shadetree]

Near everybody here gets the impression that Shade aint to fond of es. lols. i use castro; 10w-40 JASO or what relates to temperature with this.. this works for me. a lot of choice's with JASO oils. mbrr said to change oil when its dirty, not rely on hours. that makes a lot of since, with more than, atv's.
keep up the research. a lot has been said at this site.

and mrb makes some very valid points ^^^. how many threads on here about es models ?, now, how many threads do you see about manual shifts not shifting ?..ahha !..just as I thought !!..lol. manual shift is tried and proven, don't try to fix what isn't broken !!..lol.and when your done looking up all that ?, go to CL's, and tell me how many es models are on there ?, COMPARED TO MANUAL SHIFTS THAT FOLKS ARE SELLING ?!..LOL. I stick with what I know, what I know is ?..MANUAL SHIFTS ARE 10 TIMES MORE RELIABLE THAN ES SHIFTS !!.

 

[Macarena Man]

Kentco would disagree . . . .
ES models are more trouble-free . . .

 

[shadetree]

Kentco would disagree . . . .
ES models are more trouble-free . . .

and when I told him the same thing about es models on CL's, he not once..ever...said I was right !!!..lol. he could not argue my case, it's a proven fact..es models are junk !.

 

[bcsman]

My correct oil post certainly took a turn...hahahaha

I can see there is much disagreement over electric shift vs manual. Without a doubt anytime you add something extra to make something happen there is that chance for failure. However I'm sure there are many happy ES owners out there that you never hear from. Is there a better chance for problems with the ES--yes. Does that mean everyone is gonna have problems--no. Hopefully I'm in the second catagory.

The good news is there is a rebuilt engine put in my quad a year or so ago and I was given the old engine. Unfortunately I don't know what the problem was but I should have some spare parts available.

 

[Goober]

My correct oil post certainly took a turn...hahahaha

I can see there is much disagreement over electric shift vs manual. Without a doubt anytime you add something extra to make something happen there is that chance for failure. However I'm sure there are many happy ES owners out there that you never hear from. Is there a better chance for problems with the ES--yes. Does that mean everyone is gonna have problems--no. Hopefully I'm in the second catagory.

The good news is there is a rebuilt engine put in my quad a year or so ago and I was given the old engine. Unfortunately I don't know what the problem was but I should have some spare parts available.

Spare engine hmm? Sounds like an opportunity to broaden your mechanical skills. A father son thing.

I recommend a good set of metric tools; to break some of those old bolts you will want a 3/8 in breaker handle and a set of six-point metric sockets.

Hey members what kinds of engine stands do you use?

 

[_Wilson_]

disagreement over electric shift vs manual.

It's always been this way..... You should see the fireworks over tire discussion ......haha!

:devil

 

[misterclean59]

Kentco would disagree . . . .
ES models are more trouble-free . . .

I don't think Kentco is being quoted correctly here. His main point was that ES models out sell manual shift model by a large factor so that needs to be factored in. If factored in then the ER failure rate is much more understandable when compared to manual shift models. I think he said Honda sells 4 or 5 times more ES than Manual? Maybe more? I am defending Kentco here a little bit because his heart was good, he just wasn't as eloquent with his words when disagreeing with someone.

 

[shadetree]

disagreement over electric shift vs manual.

It's always been this way..... You should see the fireworks over tire discussion ......haha!

:devil

lmao^^^..or winches !...lol.

 

[shadetree]

Kentco would disagree . . . .
ES models are more trouble-free . . .

I don't think Kentco is being quoted correctly here. His main point was that ES models out sell manual shift model by a large factor so that needs to be factored in. If factored in then the ER failure rate is much more understandable when compared to manual shift models. I think he said Honda sells 4 or 5 times more ES than Manual? Maybe more? I am defending Kentco here a little bit because his heart was good, he just wasn't as eloquent with his words when disagreeing with someone.

your correct. kent was going by how many es models honda sold, NOT BY HOW MANY ISSUES POPPED UP !. been doing this kinda work over 25 years, how many years has kent worked on atvs ?. he's a good guy, just doesn't have his facts ( or words in this case ) in the right order. from what I know and seen on here, and in the RL ?, es models are junk !. yes, there are es owners to this day that have no issues, but !!, when they do come up ?, my money says it will be with the shifting !!!.

 

[shadetree]

My correct oil post certainly took a turn...hahahaha

I can see there is much disagreement over electric shift vs manual. Without a doubt anytime you add something extra to make something happen there is that chance for failure. However I'm sure there are many happy ES owners out there that you never hear from. Is there a better chance for problems with the ES--yes. Does that mean everyone is gonna have problems--no. Hopefully I'm in the second catagory.

The good news is there is a rebuilt engine put in my quad a year or so ago and I was given the old engine. Unfortunately I don't know what the problem was but I should have some spare parts available.

you and your son should take that motor apart, piece by piece...JUST FOR LEARNING HOW TO WORK ON THEM !. then later on down the road, when your es finally decides to give up the atv ghost ?..yu'll already be one step ahead of the learning process . you make some valid points, i'll give ya that !, but when you've been in my shoes for 25 years doing this ?, then your thinking might change..lol.