TRX eating oil for brekkies

[olivernz]

Hi all,

Now that I have my brakes fixed, my TRX thought I might want to get to know my engine internals by using up a heap of oil.

I know that TRXs tend to like the stuff but i noticed a few months ago that when i did long trips with speeds above 120km/h that it would use quite a bit of oil. More so than usual. Didn't think much of it. Then, last weekend I did a 700km trip and just by pure chance checked the oil level only to find out that a whole 800ml was missing. I drove home as directly as possible and filled in another 300ml.

Over the last weeks I also noticed that there was a bit of oil leaking down from the fromt sprocket/sidestand area. But I thought it was just my new Scottoiler not being adjusted correctly. Not much oil. Just about 3-5cm spill. I have now absolutely cleaned that whole area and had a look this morning but there were no oil marks.

What I think is happening is, that the seal on the bearing behind the front sprocket is bust. The oil would only seep out if the engine is running. Since the exhaust pipes are just there it would probably drop on them and evaporate instead of reaching the ground. Only when on side stand would the remaining drops fall to the ground. And yes, the exhaust pipe is very stained and grimy.

My Haynes manual doesn't seem to cover how to get at the seal so I'm a bit lost.

Further there is no smoke or oil-smell coming out the exhaust so I'm guessing it's not burning it up. But what do you think it is or what other tests can I do to rule out any engine/valves, seals issues? I've searched on a few forums but couldn't come up with anything I could use. Might be my search pattern though.

So any ideas/links would be great! I'd like to know what it is/could be before giving it to a mech.

Thanks!
Oliver

[Con Rod]

before you worry about replacing the seal I would make sure you have identified a leak. There may not be one. To the best of my knowledge "in spec oil consumption" is about 1000ml (1litre) per 1000km so you are pretty much on that

Also, long distance riding at about 120kmph is going to be ideal using oil. I did a 3000km trip a couple of months back and used about 1500ml that weekend.

When I go on long rides I just put a litre bottle of oil under the pillion seat and top it up as needed.

For normal commuting is uses a lot less oil than longer rides at higher speeds.

[Rod.s]

before you worry about replacing the seal I would make sure you have identified a leak. There may not be one. To the best of my knowledge "in spec oil consumption" is about 1000ml (1litre) per 1000km so you are pretty much on that

Also, long distance riding at about 120kmph is going to be ideal using oil. I did a 3000km trip a couple of months back and used about 1500ml that weekend.

When I go on long rides I just put a litre bottle of oil under the pillion seat and top it up as needed.

For normal commuting is uses a lot less oil than longer rides at higher speeds.

I had a huge oil usage issue when i first bought the bike but after reading some posts here and experimenting with different oils i have reduced the consumption down to almost nil. I found that a "Shell" 10-40 mineral has worked best for my bike I'n not sure if this oil is still available, i bought 4 containers 2 years ago

[Con Rod]

before you worry about replacing the seal I would make sure you have identified a leak. There may not be one. To the best of my knowledge "in spec oil consumption" is about 1000ml (1litre) per 1000km so you are pretty much on that

Also, long distance riding at about 120kmph is going to be ideal using oil. I did a 3000km trip a couple of months back and used about 1500ml that weekend.

When I go on long rides I just put a litre bottle of oil under the pillion seat and top it up as needed.

For normal commuting is uses a lot less oil than longer rides at higher speeds.

I had a huge oil usage issue when i first bought the bike but after reading some posts here and experimenting with different oils i have reduced the consumption down to almost nil. I found that a "Shell" 10-40 mineral has worked best for my bike I'n not sure if this oil is still available, i bought 4 containers 2 years ago

funny you shouold say that. I was using Motul Full Synth, but have swapped to Shell Advance AX-7 (semi synth) and find that oil lasts better and uses a little less

[M.V.]

I've been meaning to look into this "The seal is the main culprit for oil use" thing for a while, let us know how you get on.

[olivernz]

If it was burning oil in significant amounts like that you should see or/and smell it I suppose. Not?

[Kevtrx849]

Check the starter motor, it usually gets covered in oil when the seal goes. Not a big job to replace the seal.

[olivernz]

Yes, starter motor, and the whole area in front of that towards the stand. Also the exhaust pipes underneath.

[Rod.s]

Anyone used BelRay 10w-40? it was my next experiment

http://www.belray.com/bel-ray-exl-mineral-4t-engine-oil

[fung]

[ I had a huge oil usage issue when i first bought the bike but after reading some posts here and experimenting with different oils i have reduced the consumption down to almost nil. I found that a "Shell" 10-40 mineral has worked best for my bike I'n not sure if this oil is still available, i bought 4 containers 2 years ago [/quote]
so weird . . . . exact opposite . . . used to run Shell ,,,,,and she really used oil stuck in motul 5100 and a good filter !!! oil sucking severely curtailed
go figure
cheers
fung

[Rod.s]

[ I had a huge oil usage issue when i first bought the bike but after reading some posts here and experimenting with different oils i have reduced the consumption down to almost nil. I found that a "Shell" 10-40 mineral has worked best for my bike I'n not sure if this oil is still available, i bought 4 containers 2 years ago

so weird . . . . exact opposite . . . used to run Shell ,,,,,and she really used oil stuck in motul 5100 and a good filter !!! oil sucking severely curtailed
go figure
cheers
fung
[/quote]

Shell mineral, Quad 4, 10w-40, used on ATV 4X4

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

I have to agree with both you two.. I did alright running shell blended 10/40 upto 1 litre per change.. Chewed threw 500ml on that 500km run the other week on the some other cheap arse oil on special from super cheap. But a lot of hi speed miles.. 2500km with not much commuting in that just all hard fast fun k's so due for a change for this next track day anyhow...

[Kenny]

Mines on mearly 50,000 miles and I use Motul 5100 amd its not used a drop in 3 years now

[alextrx850]

Same..motul 5100...i give it the beans regularly and not a drop missing...sight glass alway checked and showing on upper limit.

i would lean that some folks dont know that the oil tank needs to be topped up after servicing and the engine needs to be run to fill the lower sump and or filter, which would be 300 mills.
My first motor didnt use oil either and it was a 96 model.

each to their own

[Con Rod]

Same..motul 5100...i give it the beans regularly and not a drop missing...sight glass alway checked and showing on upper limit.

i would lean that some folks dont know that the oil tank needs to be topped up after servicing and the engine needs to be run to fill the lower sump and or filter, which would be 300 mills.
My first motor didnt use oil either and it was a 96 model.

each to their own

I am meticulous with the oil level so its not that, however the motul I used was the fully synth. 7100, I believe the 5100 is semi synth.

The shell I am using is also semi