Increasing oil capacity?

[Tazz]

Looking to increase oil capacity for the sole purpose of stretching out service intervals a little.

What have you guys done?

I see most people fit oil coolers, but have also seen mention of catch cans. They are cheaper and probably an easier fit, but is there a reason why they are not as popular as the cooler in the adv world other than the fact the cooler does two functions?

Would something like this work?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-...-879933835.htm

That's just an example, might be a bit cheap to risk using that particular one.

I've never looked at anything like this so am completely green to it.

The alternative is something like this, but maybe a little bigger (gunning for 500ml to 1l increase)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=880216568

I guess a third option would be to add another/external filter.

[FJRider]

Looking to increase oil capacity for the sole purpose of stretching out service intervals a little.

Is your intention to save time / money spent on oil changes ... or extend the life span of the engine .. ???

I see most people fit oil coolers, but have also seen mention of catch cans. They are cheaper and probably an easier fit, but is there a reason why they are not as popular as the cooler in the adv world other than the fact the cooler does two functions?

The increase in oil capacity would be minimal by fitting an oil cooler. And I cannot recall any manufacturer of such ... saying an extension of oil change times is advisable.

A simple policy of removing all engine contaminents (metal shavings/condensation etc) at the earliest possible time ... must be to the owners advantage of ensuring a longer engine life.

Regardless of expense and time involved.

[tigertim20]

just change the fucking oil

[Muzz67]

how-ever, plumbing one in could be difficult. Even if your Raleigh20 has an external oil line to plug into,, will that result in oil starvation at start-up, untill pressure is built up?
Some engine dont have enough capacity (XR500, higher stressed than XR250, same oil capacity) and can be overfilled deliberatly.
Have allways run extra 250ml in my 500's at advice from expert, never had an issue.

[bart]

I didn't realise a Raleigh 20 needed oil??

Oh, except for the chain...

[husaberg]

If you are running an oil cooler and additional oil consider you will not have a thermostat oil can be too cold as well.
Not sure what bike it is, guessing its a trailie see if there is version of the bike that has one std. likely has a different cover oil pump etc possibly crankcase.
There are plenty of cheap cooler kits for Pitbikes. These are likely to be more appropriate in size.
http://img.atomik.com.au/DirtBike/Ni...140M-Part2.jpg
or
http://www.dhz.com.au/buy/hd-radioat...ler-kit/ENP-22



The XR600 never had a oil cooler like the 250's did as they were dry sumped oil in frame.
The XR250's from about 87 on had nice little oil coolers that were hard to damage.


Can't see it
Try here it is under the light bolted to the steering head.

Still can't see it

[bogan]

Just use good oil, it goes longer between changes than cheap oil.

[JATZ]

Assuming it's for the 350... I wouldn't worry about it. Just change the oil at regular intervals, I used to do mine at about 3-4k intervals. it was never a problem.
But, if you reeeealy have to bling it out a bit, you could try one of these http://advrider.com/forums/showpost....57&postcount=5

[caspernz]

Personally I'd go for better oil rather than more oil. Changing from a mineral to a synthetic works for some, well that's what I do anyway. Anything involving extra plumbing such as adding an oil cooler just sounds wrong to me.

[Tazz]

Fuck, typical BS on here. Somewhere out there, a little toolbox waits for its spanners to return...

Not reinventing the wheel. You can buy bike $pecific kit$, or better yet smart arses can come change my oil on the side of the road for me, if so make sure you get the pie order right too and wear something purdy

Better quality oil is valid, however going from manufactures recommendations and service intervals it should already be in there

how-ever, plumbing one in could be difficult. Even if your Raleigh20 has an external oil line to plug into,, will that result in oil starvation at start-up, untill pressure is built up?
Some engine dont have enough capacity (XR500, higher stressed than XR250, same oil capacity) and can be overfilled deliberatly.
Have allways run extra 250ml in my 500's at advice from expert, never had an issue.

Yeah starvation is an expensive stuff up, that's why I'd rather keep it simple with a catch can or cooler. From my very limited knowledge I know you have to be reallll careful with filter setups when it comes to flow rates and back pressure. Very much above my pay grade
One of the coolers on tardme even mentions running their motor dry due to fitting it incorrectly

Unless it is plumbed as to cause a bit of an airlock that needs pressure to get oil flowing past the extra oil itself shouldn't cause starting problems.

1L capacity so even a 500ml increase is a big deal.

I was told similar advice on filling the DR too regarding the overfilling a little. Don't do it every change but there must be something to it.

Not sure what bike it is, guessing its a trailie see if there is version of the bike that has one std.

Yeah WR450. Most recommend DRz250 coolers, but that is pretty much the answer for everyone that asks no matter the bike from what my searches have thrown up.
Maybe it's that good, but figured it wouldn't hurt to ask locally.

And that is the smallest oil cooler I've seen, ever. Would it even really make a difference?

Assuming it's for the 350... I wouldn't worry about it. Just change the oil at regular intervals, I used to do mine at about 3-4k intervals. it was never a problem.
But, if you reeeealy have to bling it out a bit, you could try one of these http://advrider.com/forums/showpost....57&postcount=5

That wee tractor beast is fine I got all sorts of toys for it but really it is perfect the way it is for what it is mechanically, although it could use a cooler for the middle of summer to do 100 on the road, but offroad shes fine and it's surprising what dropping 10kph off your pace makes stress wise when the weather is stinking hot.

I didn't realise a Raleigh 20 needed oil??

Oh, except for the chain...

Not much, usually pilfer it from your puddle

[Gadget1]

Personally I'd go for better oil rather than more oil. Changing from a mineral to a synthetic works for some, well that's what I do anyway. Anything involving extra plumbing such as adding an oil cooler just sounds wrong to me.

Yep and add a long life filter and it's even better.

[husaberg]

Yeah WR450. Most recommend DRz250 coolers, but that is pretty much the answer for everyone that asks no matter the bike from what my searches have thrown up.
Maybe it's that good, but figured it wouldn't hurt to ask locally.

And that is the smallest oil cooler I've seen, ever. Would it even really make a difference?

Yes it worked well on the Xr250
The XR400 has one twice as deep.But only half as cute.
Does the WR share the oil with the gearbox.

The additional cooling remember comes from the external oil lines and the fact the oil is not always in a hot crankcase.
Put you hand on a crankcase after a ride.

[AllanB]

Pretty sure the catch can is not designed to recirculate the oil, just 'catch' the oil that is usually recirculated into the airbox and reburnt.

A mod on some of the old Guzzis was a deeper sump so the engine held more oil.

[JATZ]

That wee tractor beast is fine I got all sorts of toys for it but really it is perfect the way it is for what it is mechanically, although it could use a cooler for the middle of summer to do 100 on the road, but offroad shes fine and it's surprising what dropping 10kph off your pace makes stress wise when the weather is stinking hot.

Ha, Yeah I thought it was a little weird when you said 1l oil capacity You traded up the raleigh 20 on something else then ?
I had to keep a close eye on the oil in the 350 and it was a bastard to check accurately. Could tell by sound when it needed a wee top up though

[kiwibul]

if you are going to fit a cooler plumb it in on the oil return side that way there is no problem with start up,
having extra oil capacity will not increase your service interval, oil will get contaminated or break down at the same rate no matter
the quantity, its the quality of the oil that helps with extending the service interval, my new car has a service every 15000 km
and that's to do with the type of oil its runs.......
hope that helps clear things up