[_Wilson_]

I've really haven't studied too much on this subject, but curious to how many hours you fellows log before an engine oil change, AND how many hours does honda recommend between changes for there utility models ?

 

[LedFTed]

change oil when;

I've really haven't studied too much on this subject, but curious to how many hours you fellows log before an engine oil change, AND how many hours does honda recommend between changes for there utility models ?

when it starts looking blackish. change it. carbon buildup gets in the oil, oil starts turning blackish from carbon. as soon as you see this on the hopefully white rag, in stead of the too dark rag, that you wipe the dipstick on, its time for a change. this is in the stickies somewhere, at the top. //Ed:smile
ps. sticky was; facts about oil. in other words,, when its dirty

 

[TBRider]

I've really haven't studied too much on this subject, but curious to how many hours you fellows log before an engine oil change, AND how many hours does honda recommend between changes for there utility models ?

I think the book says 600 miles (1000km) or 100 hrs, that is for mine, yours should be similar

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[wheelsquad]

Once a year, cause it's easy to remember and I never put more than 700 miles on a machine in a year, but never less than 300.

 

[retro]

I don't follow any rules at all. I change oil & filters way more often than many... particularly if it is an air cooled motor vs, a more temp stable liquid cooled motor. I'll change the oil after every eventful thing happens too, such as getting stuck and overheating the motor/trans trying to get unstuck, or just after working the motor extra hard for whatever reason... I like to reach a hot operating oil temp, but not ever overhot....

On fresh motors during initial break-in, I dump oil & filters three times during the first load-hour of runtime. Then again after 2-3 more loaded hours, with four valve adjustments in total during the first 1.5 hours of life.

Timewise, if a motor is stationary and seldom operated I'll generally change oil every 6 months, whether its been run or not. If it was raced, it gets changed after every event. I'm a hardcore cutter too... every oil filter that comes out of a motor gets cut open for inspection under magnification. Oil & filters are cheap, parts and labor ain't...

 

[mrbb]

I never go by miles or hours
I go by HOW hard I run the motor
if I am working the crap out of it in hot or cold weather, I change it more often
if I am just trail riding easy like you can go farther on oil changes
I am NOT a fan of going over a yr on oil changes NO matter how many miles or hours I put on it!
if you only rode a 100 mile a yr and go my the book at 500-600 miles it would be YRS before you reached that number

oil is rather cheap in the big picture, I doubt you can change it TOO often
call it cheap insurance things are in good lube LOL

 

[_Wilson_]

I've really haven't studied too much on this subject, but curious to how many hours you fellows log before an engine oil change, AND how many hours does honda recommend between changes for there utility models ?

when it starts looking blackish. change it. carbon buildup gets in the oil, oil starts turning blackish from carbon. as soon as you see this on the hopefully white rag, in stead of the too dark rag, that you wipe the dipstick on, its time for a change. this is in the stickies somewhere, at the top. //Ed:smile
ps. sticky was; facts about oil. in other words,, when its dirty

Thanks i must have over looked it in sticky great read! And thanks guys very helpfull, keep it going .......

http://www.hondaatvforums.net/forums/repair-maintenance/50392-facts-about-oil.html

 

[LedFTed]

when to change oil, the break in period

i forgot this part. with a new engine,, 50 miles, change oil and filter; 500 miles change oil and filter. and then you are on your own, as to what the book says, or anything else. im not sure if this applies to atv's, it does apply to a lot of other engines. lawn equipment, and other things are rated in hours. im sure i got part of this wrong, perhaps someone can correct me..:crying was it mileage or hours

 

[fishfiles]

Oil is cheap compared to a rebuild , I over change my oil no doubt , I watch the color and any discoloration it gets changed -------- usually about every 5 rides , I would say it's 20-30 hours ------ but it is a brutal 20 hours , lots of high rpm's and high temperatures , especially in the summer when atmospheric temps here can approach 100 ---------

 

[mac102004]

Every 100 hours or so on my play machines. I skipped the first service on my Rubicon and ran it to the full 1000km before changing the oil, as I’ve done with my other machines, except the Can-am. My 350 Rancher has had maybe 4 or 5 oil changes in the 18 years I’ve owned it, there is 14,000+ km on it and about 1500 hours, just starting to get a light smoke out of it now. So I don’t put a ton of faith into changing the oil more often than it needs it. That thing has had mostly conventional oil in it as well, rather than synthetics unless that was all I had around.


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[Hilldweller]

Once a year for me. I don't use the machine for anything other than chores around the acreage and pushing snow in the winter; I'd never hit the recommended miles/hours.

 

[alloutdoors]

According to my 2014 Honda Service Manual:

1) It is 100 miles/20 hours or 1 month for initial oil change.
2) Regular every 1000 miles or 100 hours or 12 months.

My Rancher has about 600 miles/90 hours and now 4 years old. I change all the fluids at least once per year and more likely every 6 months.

 

[machinecrook]

I change mine when I start using it in Spring and begining of Fall. However every time I use my bike it is working hard, hauling wood up hills and rough trails on first gear. Good thing I got that cooling fan - probably saved my motor by now. Prior to that I used to pull into the garage and have it smoking.

I check the oil color regularly to make sure everything is fine. It doesn't become black but I rather be safe than sorry. Like Fishfiles said, it costs a lot less to change the oil than a rebuild.

Diff oils and transfer case I do once a year. I don't go in water holes.

 

[_Wilson_]

Thanks fellows i disagree with hondas schedule for my own preference I'll be changing mine every 50 hours. Or twice a year ( more if need be )

 

[_Wilson_]

However every time I use my bike it is working hard, hauling wood up hills and rough trails on first gear.

Exactly! that describes what mine sees ^^^^^

 

[fishfiles]

something else to think about when you let them sit up for a long time , the float valve can flood the cylinder with gas , which can get into the crank case and dilute the oil

 

[Manny]

50 hour service intervals here. more during plow season or dusty rides.

 

[_Wilson_]

something else to think about when you let them sit up for a long time , the float valve can flood the cylinder with gas , which can get into the crank case and dilute the oil

^^^^^^ yup , And of corse for long time storage i try my best to put mine on compression stroke being leery of valves sticking open, that exact thing happened to that trx350 before i got it, Wilson cycles did the repair, completely hammered the piston and combustion chamber..... The idiot who had it before me tryed pulling it off while said valves were stuck open ( or i was told) but 350a s were even hard to find back then, so i purchased it anyways, to this day, mechanically she still runs fine, just needs a carb job and ridden...

 

[alloutdoors]

Chances are the vast majority of us over "service" our Hondas, LOL... I suspect however, the legendary name of Honda was made by those who abused the unit with service being secondary...

 

[LedFTed]

sitting too long

something else to think about when you let them sit up for a long time , the float valve can flood the cylinder with gas , which can get into the crank case and dilute the oil

im glad you reminded me of that. i have to check my atv out before it gets rolling again. it also works with anything that sits to long. my 46 ford tractor has sit for a while outside without the hood on top. i will have to check engine oil and trans oil for leaks, not to mention my atv oil for leaks. plus bugs manage to build a nest, mice, anything anywhere a spot is, that has an opening. you wouldnt believe the places spiders can get to. for some reason, they dont mind gas, whether its petrol, natural, or propane.