changing oil?

[plkmonster2]

how often? most commercial engines say 25 hours. i ride every weekend, about 4-5 hours each week end. thanks

[plkmonster2]

also, do you change the rear end oil on a 225dr? thanks

[smokinwrench]

I change my engine oil twice a year and the rear end oil once a year, but I don't ride much in the winter. I change it in late spring and early fall. Mine never uses any oil so I don't worry about it to much. If it would start burning oil I would change it more. Josh

[KLT Man]

Well, oil changing intervals can be subjective :? . Different people change there oil more religiously than others. The 25 hour interval is a good rule but applies to engines that stay at an almost constant RPM and load like lawn mowers, generators, etc :| . These engines also dont have wet clutches which share the engine lubrication.

In the case of an ATV, they are constantly varying RPM, have different workloads, and share a wet clutch. This clutch material is suspended in the oil, not to mention the carbon collected in the oil from combustion.
Although it doesn't hurt the engine in the short term, it certainly doesn't help in the long term.

You want to decide if you need an oil changed based on your experiences, but never exceed that 25 hours.
If you ride it hard and often, change your oil more often.
If you ride it less, change it less.
If your oil is dark brown to black, change it.
If you ride in water for an extended period or submerge the ATV in water, change it.
If you open any part of the engine for repair, change it.

I would also recommend a NEW oil filter at every change.

The price of a regular oil change is INSIGNIGICANT :-D compared to the price of a new engine :evil: .


Just my Nickle and Dime...................

[ATCkrazy]

I change mine every 2 months(less in the winter) but I do alot of riding in the summer, I use castrol GTX, it's like $1.17 a quart at wal-fart, I figure it cant hurt, it can only help :)

[skippy]

well i can tell ya... $2.50 an oil change is nothing.. so i get two hard rides on my r (about 15 hrs of ride time) and then change it.. and the main reason is the wet clutch.. and to make sure everything is fresh.. takes about 10 mintues and $2.50 so who cares..

[ATCRYDER]

Every 2 weeks if I ride it more than 3 times.

[ATC crazy]

I change mine about every 15-20 hours. I would gladly spend $3 and 15 minutes changing my oil then to buy a whole new engine or get it rebuilt.

[muskegnmud]

get out there and do some oil changes. Been going 30-50 hours!!! :oops: Is that too long?? Been using 15W/40 semi synthetic, seems to work well, even in the cold up here, don't ride much in the winter and don't ride too hard

[J.D.]

Could this have been part of the problem that screwed my engine up? Me and my bro would ride my YTM200 2-3 hours a day running it as hard as we could for 3 months and I never once changed oil...I feel stupid for not changing it now that y'all are saying 15-20 hours.... :oops:

[Paul]

holy smokes 25 hours at max!!!! OUCH!!, i had no idea of such thing, i thought it was just like auto, i better get mine changed then. can someone tell me where the oil filter is?? and where do i drain the oil what plug?? thats on a 225dx.. Thanks

[200xer]

I change mine when it gets nasty looking or hit a lot of water and have a possibility of getting water in the oil.

[J.D.]

Paul: on mine(YTM200) the drain plug is on the bottom, look under the engine, from the left side, and it's a huge nut. The oil filter is on the right side, towards the back of the motor...it has 3 allen head bolts in it....should be same for a 225dx though..

[Paul]

where do u get the filters though??

[J.D.]

Don't worry about getting a new one, just clean the old out with solvent.