[newhondaguy]

I have a 2017 rubicon.

I've changed the oil 2 times now and just changing it a 3rd time tonight when I noticed something odd.

1) Its very easy to over fill the oil. 1/4 is all it takes to go from the bottom of the dipstick to the absolute upper limits.


2) The manual says run the machine for 2-3 mins than check the oil. I know your not supposed to screw the dip stick down to check.

I over filled it by a hair when I first added oil. So I drained a bit. Then I was under. It was just below the bottom limit on the dip stick.

I let the machine sit for 5-10 mins and checked again.. Now Im at an acceptable level.

So my question is, does the oil have to be check right after you run it for a few mins like the manual says? Or is it acceptable if I get a proper level after letting it sit for 5-10 mins?

Seems like a lot of oil drains down into the pan once it sits for 5 mins..


Probably a easy question, but I just don't want to over fill it.

 

[Melatv]

Hi: You do it as the manual said to do it.

 

[Nanook12]

Well, there seems to be a couple of ways to approach the Honda oil level situation...in the maintenance manual under specs, it says 3.2 quarts(US) of oil should put you at the full line, if you are changing the oil filter... I just changed my 2018 Foreman over to full synthetic oil and used the 3.2 quarts with a new filter. I checked it per the operator’s manual, where it gives you the minimum 3 minute run (warm) or the 5 to 10 minute run (cold). Then it says to let it sit for 2-3 minutes before you check the level in the sump. Mine checked out full to slightly over full. I'm happy with being slightly over full in this type oil system. So just make sure you drain all the old oil out and put in 3.2 quarts of new back in. I’m running Shell T6 5W40. I buy a gallon jug and use the sight gauge on the side to measure...

 

[newhondaguy]

Well, there seems to be a couple of ways to approach the Honda oil level situation...in the maintenance manual under specs, it says 3.2 quarts(US) of oil should put you at the full line, if you are changing the oil filter... I just changed my 2018 Foreman over to full synthetic oil and used the 3.2 quarts with a new filter. I checked it per the operator’s manual, where it gives you the minimum 3 minute run (warm) or the 5 to 10 minute run (cold). Then it says to let it sit for 2-3 minutes before you check the level in the sump. Mine checked out full to slightly over full. I'm happy with being slightly over full in this type oil system. So just make sure you drain all the old oil out and put in 3.2 quarts of new back in. I’m running Shell T6 5W40. I buy a gallon jug and use the sight gauge on the side to measure...

This is exactly what happened to me. Slightly over full after I let it run for 2-3 mins.

My manual does not say let it sit for 2-3 mins before checking the oil level though. You have a foreman and I have a rubicon with the DCT tranny though. Could be a difference between the DCT and the reg tranny.


Mine is suposed to take 4 quarts.

 

[Melatv]

Hi: This should help.

 

[fishfiles]

I don't know if I would want to own something that is so complicated to check the oil on , I work on heavy equipment and that oil check procedure is out the box !!! Just saying !!!!

 

[Melatv]

Hi: For atv's with a dry sump engine.

ATV oil checking dry sump engine

Checking oil level oil levels. Every engine needs a certain amount of air space inside the engine. If you put in too much oil, it cuts down on this air space and increases the engines internal pressure. This can cause an engine to smoke or blow out oil through the seals and/or engine breather.

If you put too little oil in, you blow up your engine, so you had best be accurate in the amount that goes in. One way is to look in the shop manual. It will normally give two amounts. One amount for if you have changed just the oil and another amount for when you change the oil and oil filter. Sometimes there is a third amount for when you have rebuilt the engine and it is totally oil free.

Most engines will have some way you can easily determine the right oil level without draining the oil and putting in an exact amount. (Dipstick or Sight window)

Dry sump engines are a bit different from wet sump engines. On Dry Sump engines you will need to start and run the engine for five minutes or so -- then shut the engine off and wait for 2 - 3 minutes BEFORE you check the oil level.
Also if the engine has been sitting for any length of time you have to run it for 5 minutes, then shut off -- wait 2 - 3 minutes and check. Even if you have just changed the oil, you will need to run the engine.

This is because the oil tanks are all above the engine's oil pump. The oil is gravity feed to the pump. The oil will back feed through the pump gears and into the sump. The longer the engine sits, the more oil seeps back into the sump.
You have to run the engine so the scavenging oil pump will pump all the excess oil out of the crankcase and into the oil tank. Once the crankcase is empty of oil and the oil tank is full of oil, you can get a accurate oil level reading. Don't check the oil immediately after coming in from a hard run.

The oil level dipstick that screws into the side of the engine. Take the dipstick out. Clean all the oil off it and insert it back in the hole. Do not screw it in. Now remove it again and look at the lower end. The oil should be between the High and Low marks. If it is low, add some. If it is high, take some out.

Oil sight window has a clear plastic window cast into the side of the crankcase. There are high and low marks on or near the window. The oil level must be between these marks. Add or drain oil to make it so.

 

[newhondaguy]

Thanks for the info, makes more sense now.

I went and checked the cold engine oil level-was well over the max amount

I ran it for 3 mins and checked right away- was under

I let it sit for 2-3 mins and checked- was right where it should be.


Sort of complicated, but I understand why now.

 

[Macarena Man]

I don't know if I would want to own something that is so complicated to check the oil on , I work on heavy equipment and that oil check procedure is out the box !!! Just saying !!!!

Agree with fishfiles . . . .
Many heavy equipment powerplants have two 'oil level' marks on the dipstick.
Hot Running & Cold Start . . .
Why not check the oil level as per Operators Manual procedure, shut off, and let it sit overnight/complete drain down . . . then mark the dipstick/oil level for a Cold Start procedure. Save yourself all that un-necessary Honda procedure.

 

[fishfiles]

That sounds like a very good idea MM came up with -------- fill the engine with the 3.2 or what they suggest , mark it with a marks a lot , start and run it , kill it and check and mark again , when you are happy with the marks , then engrave it with a scribe

 

[newhondaguy]

I don't know if I would want to own something that is so complicated to check the oil on , I work on heavy equipment and that oil check procedure is out the box !!! Just saying !!!!

Agree with fishfiles . . . .
Many heavy equipment powerplants have two 'oil level' marks on the dipstick.
Hot Running & Cold Start . . .
Why not check the oil level as per Operators Manual procedure, shut off, and let it sit overnight/complete drain down . . . then mark the dipstick/oil level for a Cold Start procedure. Save yourself all that un-necessary Honda procedure.

I was wondering this as well.

So much easier to have a cold level and a warm (after sitting for 2 mins) level.

I see the need to have the warm level incase your in the bush and need to change/add oil. Inconvient to have to sit and wait a couple hours for a total drain down.

But there really should be a cold level check as well.

I might just mark my dip stick after it sits over night.

 

[Melatv]

Hi: Do you think Heavy equipment and a ATV are built the same -- far from it -- so use you manual when checking the oil level or you will be looking at problems.

 

[fishfiles]

Hi, Melatv = No , but you can always come to the same end result more ways than one , like the saying : there is more than one way to skin a cat ------- repetition , doing some over and over , you learn steps to save steps and achieve the same goal

 

[LedFTed]

what does dry sump mean, unless it is a new oil change, it would be like a dry oil filter. once the oil has circulated through an engine, after a new oil change, for a while., ya get the hang of checking the oil, when it is sitting idle,[not running], for a while, or being used, for a while.
one time someone checking the oil, forgot the tighten the oil plug. -<<< i wont say who did this. anyway, i got the oil back up, the engine was still hot, and i when with this level. only had to put a quart, plus, a little in. checked the oil level out several times more during the weekend, an it was the same.
When i got back home, i did a complete oil change. i used emergency oil. though i wouldnt recommend it to anyone. it was close enough to es oil. :devil