Auto oiler, you're turning into my arch nemesis!

[willytheekid]

:facepalm:...damn scottoiler!


I swear this thing has a mind of its own...and its certainly NOT a stable mind! :laugh:

For the second time the damn thing stopped working...So I strip it, checked all the plumbing and seals etc(found the main jet was blocked), I then refitted it, refilled it, and took the bike for a test ride(40mins or so)...seem'd good, drip rate perfect, no air bubbles, and the chain & tyre look good (oil is going on the CHAIN...not all over the tyre lol)

well bugger it!...I must have spoken to soon!

I noticed the bike "power sliding" out of left hand corners this morning :facepalm:....Yup!, sure enough, the NEW rear tyre is now coated in sticky anti-fling oil :blink: (made for an "interesting" exit out of a roundabout this morning :laugh:)

Currently Im running Chainsaw Bar oil in the system (pritty much the same stuff Scott use...but half the price!...same viscosity as there summer refill oil, drip rate seems the same, and its used by many scott owners with no problems such as seals breaking down etc reported)

So why is the drip rate changing from a drip every couple of minutes, to pissing out and making my poor bike look like a exxon valdez victim?
....the unit is well away from any possible heat sources, I can't find any air leaks, seals are all good, and the drip rate adjustement dial hasn't moved from where I set it? (And it did the exact same bloody thing last time while running the "proper" scott lube?)

Anything I may be missing?...or is this thing just pure evil sent to test me lol :devil2:



(yay...So Ive now got a tyre and bike to scrub clean with hot soapy water when I get home tonight...well...after I have negotiated the power slidiing trip home lol...will also disconnect the system till I can nail the cause)

[caseye]

Oi, too much FUN is frowned upon you know!
Enjoy the ride home mate, then take the bloody thing to the place you bought it and ask them to sort it out, failing that send off toscott oilers themselves and tell em your stress levels are off the scale, see what they come up with.
Been able to throw a leg over for the last 2 weeks and have clocked up 3000 K's already, loving being back, that gay bike still going like a champion?
Happy new year mate.

[willytheekid]

Oi, too much FUN is frowned upon you know!
Enjoy the ride home mate, then take the bloody thing to the place you bought it and ask them to sort it out, failing that send off toscott oilers themselves and tell em your stress levels are off the scale, see what they come up with.
Been able to throw a leg over for the last 2 weeks and have clocked up 3000 K's already, loving being back, that gay bike still going like a champion?
Happy new year mate.

:laugh:...Gidday mate (So sorry for not replying to your PM at xmas...I worked over xmas and got hammered...appologies)

Good to hear your back in the saddle :niceone: (hope your keepin Rob an "Mac" honest lol)
Just had the bike put through another full service/check for summer...to the tune of "Find something wrong with it!...dare ya!"....My mechanic Rodger found a minor air leak...and that was all! (And I finally got the carbs perfectly balanced)...now shes going like a...well...a Honda VFR! :laugh: (Absolutely love this bike!...it maybe 17yrs old....100,000k on the clock, but its still just purring!)

The Scottoiler is doing my head in tho lol, for such a simple device you would "think" it would be easy to find the problem...nope! :laugh:
I think its just a tad temperamental...works fine usually, but when it stops working :facepalm: (second time so far)...it tends to be a bit of a mission to clean, prime and set the perfect drip rate...Im sure I will get it sorted...eventually!

You take care mate, and I certainly hope you had a great xmas & new year :yes:

ps:Many thanks for the vote in the tyre thread :niceone:

[bsasuper]

I know exactly how to fix this problem, Take off the whole system, then place in rubbish bin.Replace with a can of maxima chain wax.

[Hitcher]

Auto chain oilers, such as the Scottoiler, are unquestionably great at extending the life of chains and sprockets. However they come at a cost: cleanliness. They need adjustment to cope with changes in ambient temperature. They're buggers to prime, particularly when the delivery hose is caked in gunge and it's hard to see when the bubbles en route have been expunged. But if one has a gargre or workshop into which a bike can be parked up after each ride in proximity to accoutrements like aerosol wax, then don't even consider one.

[HenryDorsetCase]

The dude who had my street triple before me had had one on the bike (but removed it before I got it). It was obviously set up incorrectly because there was a metric fuckton of shit all over the back of the bike, round the swingarm, on the exhaust, and a stripe up the blummin number plate. Plus the crud under the cover over the countershaft sprocket :puke: Spent a couple of very happy hours cleaning that all off.

I bought one of those Maxima 3 packs: cleanse, tone and moisturise. Its good shit. I've never been prettier. Also pretty good on the chain.

[TOTO]

Scottoil has a percentage of silicon in it. If you put anything else in its system (as you've done with chain saw oil) then it is as good as fucked and you need a new one or just bin it.

It is not the products' problem, it is you trying to be cheap.

[willytheekid]

I know exactly how to fix this problem, Take off the whole system, then place in rubbish bin.Replace with a can of maxima chain wax.


Auto chain oilers, such as the Scottoiler, are unquestionably great at extending the life of chains and sprockets. However they come at a cost: cleanliness. They need adjustment to cope with changes in ambient temperature. They're buggers to prime, particularly when the delivery hose is caked in gunge and it's hard to see when the bubbles en route have been expunged. But if one has a gargre or workshop into which a bike can be parked up after each ride in proximity to accoutrements like aerosol wax, then don't even consider one.

...smart...'s! :laugh:

But yes...totally agree!, and so true Hitcher :yes:
I don't mind cleaning the mess up and pissing around filling it and setting the drip rate etc...I just wish the damn thing would STAY set! :no:
...when it works, it works very well!

PS: Purged all good, no air bubbles etc, Temp...pritty much the same as yesterday, whole unit clean as a whistle(now), and every piece of it checked....nemesis I tells ya....nemesis!!! :laugh:


PPS: "accoutrements!", very nice Hitcher :msn-wink: (yes!...I had to look it up :facepalm: :laugh:)

[willytheekid]

Scottoil has a percentage of silicon in it. If you put anything else in its system (as you've done with chain saw oil) then it is as good as fucked and you need a new one or just bin it.

It is not the products' problem, it is you trying to be cheap.

Lovely!

I never said the product was shit (you banging the importer?)

IF, you had read the post, you may have noticed it also did this with the Scottoil refill oil as well!...and the chainsaw bar oil brand contains silicon as well, And is very well known to be a great substitute for the $20 for 500ml Scottoil...oil (It lubes a chain!...not a fucking GP engine!!)
"Currently Im running Chainsaw Bar oil in the system (pritty much the same stuff Scott use...but half the price!...same viscosity as there summer refill oil, drip rate seems the same, and its used by many scott owners with no problems such as seals breaking down etc reported)"

Also...IF, you had read the post you will also know that it is temperamental...not fucked!
"So why is the drip rate changing from a drip every couple of minutes, to pissing out and making my poor bike look like a exxon valdez victim?
....the unit is well away from any possible heat sources, I can't find any air leaks, seals are all good, and the drip rate adjustement dial hasn't moved from where I set it? (And it did the exact same bloody thing last time while running the "proper" scott lube?)"

And of course the interweby is FULL of owners saying the same thing about scottoilers...buggers to prime, buggers to set, tend to "adjust" themselves etc, but great little units once running well (As this one usually is)

But thank you for your well thought out and constructive feedback <_<

[spanner spinner]

I have had scott oilers on most of my bikes been using them for years and fitted so many in my job I have lost count of how many I have fitted. So I have had a bit to do with them, so my suggestion would be to dismantle the controller if you haven't all ready. Sounds like the seat in the controller is worn or has grit in it that won't pass through and is some times getting in and jamming it open. If you are going to take the top off the controller first pinch the female of the house's hair dryer and gently heat the top of the clear tube section before prying the top off. If you don't heat it it can some times crack, same when clicking it back on. If this dosen't fix it time for a new controler, you can buy these as a spare so you only have to buy a new controler not a new kit.

[nzspokes]

Scottoil has a percentage of silicon in it. If you put anything else in its system (as you've done with chain saw oil) then it is as good as fucked and you need a new one or just bin it.

It is not the products' problem, it is you trying to be cheap.

Oh, didn't know that. But weve got heaps of Scott oil so hadn't tried anything else. Good to know.

[willytheekid]

I have had scott oilers on most of my bikes been using them for years and fitted so many in my job I have lost count of how many I have fitted. So I have had a bit to do with them, so my suggestion would be to dismantle the controller if you haven't all ready. Sounds like the seat in the controller is worn or has grit in it that won't pass through and is some times getting in and jamming it open. If you are going to take the top off the controller first pinch the female of the house's hair dryer and gently heat the top of the clear tube section before prying the top off. If you don't heat it it can some times crack, same when clicking it back on. If this dosen't fix it time for a new controler, you can buy these as a spare so you only have to buy a new controler not a new kit.

Many thanks for your feedback :niceone:

I was leaning toward the "nozzel-jet" may have a little peice of dirt etc blocking it (Not being able to adjust properly, hence its drip rate is high)
Great Tip in regards to the hair dryer!
Its a pritty simple unit, so I thought it would be something simple like that, I must not have cleaned it out properly, or may have actually dislodged some dirt etc during the first clean & refill.

Well...I guess its back to the bench and re-strip it again and clean the bejebus out of it :laugh:


...It has only stopped working once before, and usually the unit works very well :yes:

[KiwiPhoenix]

Oh admit it, you love taking things apart and cleaning them :shutup:

[p.dath]

Scottoil has a percentage of silicon in it. If you put anything else in its system (as you've done with chain saw oil) then it is as good as fucked and you need a new one or just bin it....


...IF, you had read the post, you may have noticed it also did this with the Scottoil refill oil as well!...and the chainsaw bar oil brand contains silicon as well, And is very well known to be a great substitute for the $20 for 500ml Scottoil...oil (It lubes a chain!...not a fucking GP engine!!)...[/COLOR]



I had a bike with a Scott Oiler once. Pain in the arse. I had someone look at it, and they said someone had run something in it other than the proper "Scott Oil", and it had damaged the seals. The result was problems like you describe.

So +1 to Toto. If you are going to invest in something as expensive as a Scott Oiler, don't whimp out on buying the proper oil. It's not that expensive, and lasts a long time. Also note that they make two different kinds of Scott Oil for different temperatures.

[martybabe]

People do claim extraordinary chain life from auto oilers but,I, like you, spent too much time messing with my bloody scott oiler trying in vain to get it to work properly. I decided to take the bugger off and revert to old fashioned anti fling chain oil, much less of a headache for me and much less mess on the back end of the bike.

[willytheekid]

Oh admit it, you love taking things apart and cleaning them :shutup:

:yes:...yes I do! :laugh:

[willytheekid]

I had a bike with a Scott Oiler once. Pain in the arse. I had someone look at it, and they said someone had run something in it other than the proper "Scott Oil", and it had damaged the seals. The result was problems like you describe.

So +1 to Toto. If you are going to invest in something as expensive as a Scott Oiler, don't whimp out on buying the proper oil. It's not that expensive, and lasts a long time. Also note that they make two different kinds of Scott Oil for different temperatures.


:facepalm::laugh:.....Once again, please "READ" the posts before "contributing".


..."The result was problems like you describe"

Ahhhh, not quite! (mine is the drip rate changed "the next day"...after I had carefully tested and set it-A common problem with these units...Im fussy and want to know why the unit has done this, and what I should re-check)...If your one had blown seals, then no dought the unit would have dripped at rest (mine dosn't...and I even pressure tested it to check the seals...told ya im fussy:msn-wink:) and yours would have "grossely" over oiled when in use (slightly different symptom to mine)

And once again...if you actualy READ the post...you will see that MOST users source an alternative oil due to cost and availability etc(at over $40 per Ltr...to lube a chain!...it IS expensive as far as ANY oil goes)...and the oil I have carefully choosen, has been tested, and confirmed by many...MANY! Scottoiler user's all around the world, and it is considered to be EXACTLY THE SAME AS SCOTTOIL...oil :confused:(It even has a Silicon additive due to it being used in large chainsaw's with...AUTO BAR OILER'S...or do you seriously think Scottoil MAKE there own oil?:blink:)

I have actually had these units before(Mrk1), and have tried gravity feed units as well...they are simple devices, I was just asking for possible things to re-check such as spanner spinner suggested (And I think hes right on the money...will find out this weekend...its bugger of a thing to keep removing-lines and all-hence the question, in case I have missed something)

Please, Don't take the above the wrong way...both you and Toto seem like nice KB members :yes:, but jumping on, not taking the time to fully read the posts, and then just "assuming" Im a complete idiot noob with the mechanical skills of a tomatoe!, is reallly not that helpful:no:

...but you are right!...I am a cheap bastard!:laugh:


277547

PS: Yes I did know about the summer/winter Scottoil...oil (don't get the winter/thick type...its a nightmare to purge through the system...its a tad TOO thick for down here)

[mulletman]

Ive transfered mine between 3 bikes about 120,000kms worth with no probs at all...:bleh:

[nodrog]

your bike is shaft drive, problem solved.

[Kickaha]

Oh admit it, you love taking things apart
He owned a Guzzi he probably had to

[willytheekid]

He owned a Guzzi he probably had to

:shit:



....its so true:facepalm: (but the 71 Triumph Trident was my true "mentor" :laugh:)

[boman]

I had a Scotoiler on my Sv Thou, for 4 Years. Always used The Scots Oil in it. Never had a problem, with either too much oil, or blocking up. I used 1.5 bottles in that time.

I have heard of others who used different oils in it, and they all seem to have issues.

[GrayWolf]

:facepalm::laugh:.....Once again, please "READ" the posts before "contributing".


...but you are right!...I am a cheap bastard!:laugh:


PS: Yes I did know about the summer/winter Scottoil...oil (don't get the winter/thick type...its a nightmare to purge through the system...its a tad TOO thick for down here)

Willy,
ya cheap bastard, buy the proper oil..... Hell's teeth man, Would you have put cooking oil in ya Trumpy, because it leaked out quickly? After all it didnt stay in the crankcases long enough to deteriorate much, did it? :laugh::laugh:

[willytheekid]

Ok, I feel I may need to clarify a few facts.

This oiler is second hand!(And looked to be VERY well used...old)...the bike (and obviously the oiler) had sat for nearly 3yrs, the auto oiler was NOT working when I first got the bike....I have since stripped it, rebuilt it, re-mounted it and since then it has worked perfectly! (And it was in a HELL of a mess)

The problem is NOT that the unit is leaking at rest (this would mean the seals have blown!), the unit works perfectly, the only reason I posted this (and reading said post is kind of key!), was = THE DRIP RATE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY THE NEXT DAY!

Now...I don't know what mechanical standards you guys have...but me!, when I set something...and take my time in doing so...I expect it to remain set!!
..yes, im fussy!....but I want to ensure there is no chance of this unit doing the samething when Im out for a long ride...a well oiled chain is great...a well oiled TYRE!...not so great!:no:


Personally...I think spanners is right on the money! (It was my first thought as to what to re-check...but its a bugger of a system to completely remove and check all vacume lines, feed lines, head unit and the main oil reservoir....hence the post for thoughts on things to recheck)

But i will find out this weekend (And of course post an update)



So, in regards to the "proper oil"...how about you do some research....because If you TRULY think that Scottoil MAKE there own oil!....well :laugh:***

I have spent alot of time tracking down exactly what oil they use...and I managed to find a PERFECT substitute...tested and confirmed NOT TO FUCK THE SEALS by thousands of users world wide!....so if YOU want to pay over $40 a ltr for chain oil!!...more power to ya!...me, I did my research, and I sourced a proven alternative at quarter the cost (why buy expensive oil for a second hand oiler that, at the time, may have possibly been fucked!)

But for those of you who are actually interested, heres just ONE! of the many, many links in regards to the oil testing etc :


http://www.ta-deti.de/ta/chainsaw.html


I hope this clears some facts up for you all :niceone:




***(Scottoil is a company...they want to make money!...hence they buy in oil, add a colour, put it in there bottles, then on sell it at 4-5 times there investiment...its very smart actually)

[HenryDorsetCase]

mr spanner spinner kind of nailed it I reckon.

[zippy]

Did you manage to solve this yet, i have had three scotoilers, on bikes in the UK and one now on my bike here back home...never had a issue..plus i took the one i had in the UK and put it on three different bikes in my time over there...so technically made it 3rd had on my last bike over there.

I never had a issue althought i was using the original scottoil given i was buying it in uk prices and i dont do enough miles now to worry about the price here(bottle i have has lasted me 18 months)...so cant comment re using another brand thought it has already been debated here.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/archive/index.php/t-150586.html

[FJRider]

Oh admit it, you love taking things apart and cleaning them :shutup:

You will never need to fit one on "Walter"...

[nzspokes]

Anybody tried one on a trail bike? Wonder how it would work out?

[KiwiPhoenix]

You will never need to fit one on "Walter"...

Very true, but i really should check the oil in the swing arm..... :confused:

[willytheekid]

Update (Sorry for delay...been busy planning mates wedding etc)

Found the problem :niceone:

...after stripping it again and finding nothing wrong with the unit, seals etc...I focused again on the rather lengthy feed tube that snakes its way from the right rear cowl to the engine, then the left hand side, and then the chain (Its far to long!...and its a bugger to prime)
After a close inspection, I found a tiny little slit in the tube...that opens up:shit:, just enough to allow in air when you wiggle the tubing!...just as it would with wind rushing through the fairing as you ride :facepalm:

So the problem looks like it was the excessive length of tube, filled up with chain oil, and then suddenly dumping the entire tubes contents when the little slit opened up with air pressure pushing on it :facepalm:

ARSE!...it had to be right in the middle of the bloody tube didn't it :laugh:

So I have made a temp fix (cut tube and put a metal tube joiner in it for now)...but I think I might just rip the whole system off and relocate it closer to the actual chain! (faster to prime and less tubing snaking its way around the bike):niceone:

The unit is currently working fine, and appears to be holding the set drip rate for now :woohoo:

...done!

[GrayWolf]

Update (Sorry for delay...been busy planning mates wedding etc)

Found the problem :niceone:

...after stripping it again and finding nothing wrong with the unit, seals etc...I focused again on the rather lengthy feed tube that snakes its way from the right rear cowl to the engine, then the left hand side, and then the chain (Its far to long!...and its a bugger to prime)
After a close inspection, I found a tiny little slit in the tube...that opens up:shit:, just enough to allow in air when you wiggle the tubing!...just as it would with wind rushing through the fairing as you ride :facepalm:

So the problem looks like it was the excessive length of tube, filled up with chain oil, and then suddenly dumping the entire tubes contents when the little slit opened up with air pressure pushing on it :facepalm:

ARSE!...it had to be right in the middle of the bloody tube didn't it :laugh:

So I have made a temp fix (cut tube and put a metal tube joiner in it for now)...but I think I might just rip the whole system off and relocate it closer to the actual chain! (faster to prime and less tubing snaking its way around the bike):niceone:

The unit is currently working fine, and appears to be holding the set drip rate for now :woohoo:

...done!

Hey Willy
that's interesting re; the too long feed tube. I have a Scottoiler on the MT, and it HAS :( to go in the tail piece lying 'almost' flat in the tool area. MT's have ZERO room under the seat....
However one of the alternative fitting options is to run the feed to the front sprocket.... Requires a long tube, I've had no problems with it operating.

[willytheekid]

Hey Willy
that's interesting re; the too long feed tube. I have a Scottoiler on the MT, and it HAS :( to go in the tail piece lying 'almost' flat in the tool area. MT's have ZERO room under the seat....
However one of the alternative fitting options is to run the feed to the front sprocket.... Requires a long tube, I've had no problems with it operating.

Yeah they seem to work fine with the long tubing...till you get a little hole in said tube :laugh:

Mine is back by the rear indicator/passenger seat, Im only thinking of moving it due to the amount of time it takes to prime the tube completely (mine snakes all over the place!...a bit messy) and to make the unit easier to get to for refilling etc.

...Im just glad the cause of the oil dumping has been found. (I quite like these units when they are set and working properly)

[caseye]

Dog, ? Bone? come to mind, lol, pleased you got it sussed mate.
Nothing worse aye.
Out to shed to do battle with wifeys 400 and the continuing saga of the disappearing water?
Ain't going through the engine, radiator is clear, thermostat is brand new and been in da jug, opens when it should, fan works, though intermittently(switch might be the trouble) my money is on the water pump not spinning !
Leak down tests and compression tests all say everything is good to go.