Oil Change - Terminal Clutch Slip Within 30 Mins
Discussion
I changed the oil in my bike with one that I couldn't find a bad review of.
It was the correct grade and for bikes and stated it was compatible with all wet clutches
It started slipping almost immediately and within 30 mins it wouldn't move under it's own power, meaning I had to be recovered (I was away on a group ride)
I tried draining it and refilling with a cheap oil - but no joy.
I feel more that a bit peeved, a day ruined, recovery and a new clutch required - has anyone pursued a company due to similar ?
It was the correct grade and for bikes and stated it was compatible with all wet clutches
It started slipping almost immediately and within 30 mins it wouldn't move under it's own power, meaning I had to be recovered (I was away on a group ride)
I tried draining it and refilling with a cheap oil - but no joy.
I feel more that a bit peeved, a day ruined, recovery and a new clutch required - has anyone pursued a company due to similar ?
V8RX7 said:
I changed the oil in my bike with one that I couldn't find a bad review of.
It was the correct grade and for bikes and stated it was compatible with all wet clutches
It started slipping almost immediately and within 30 mins it wouldn't move under it's own power, meaning I had to be recovered (I was away on a group ride)
I tried draining it and refilling with a cheap oil - but no joy.
I feel more that a bit peeved, a day ruined, recovery and a new clutch required - has anyone pursued a company due to similar ?
Well known & respected brand or a cheap unknown that didn't throw up any negative comments?It was the correct grade and for bikes and stated it was compatible with all wet clutches
It started slipping almost immediately and within 30 mins it wouldn't move under it's own power, meaning I had to be recovered (I was away on a group ride)
I tried draining it and refilling with a cheap oil - but no joy.
I feel more that a bit peeved, a day ruined, recovery and a new clutch required - has anyone pursued a company due to similar ?
Good luck in pursuing the manufacturer.... I suspect they'll have legal caveats up the wazoo. You going to spend 10's of thousands in legal fees to chase a few bob? Pyrrhic victory springs to mind if it happens at all.
Rather take it as a lesson learnt and move along...
bgunn said:
What oil and what bike? (out of interest)
Just wondering what made you think the clutch slip would get better with increased use, too? Likely what you're already thinking, but probably not the best idea to continue riding if it affected the clutch so badly..
KTM single, driven 2 hrs to go green laning and hoped it wouldn't get much worse and that I'd be able to get around.Just wondering what made you think the clutch slip would get better with increased use, too? Likely what you're already thinking, but probably not the best idea to continue riding if it affected the clutch so badly..
Rather not mention the company but a smaller one
Steve Bass said:
Good luck in pursuing the manufacturer.... I suspect they'll have legal caveats up the wazoo. You going to spend 10's of thousands in legal fees to chase a few bob? Pyrrhic victory springs to mind if it happens at all.
I was thinking small claims, if no one protests, nothing changes.V8RX7 said:
Steve Bass said:
Good luck in pursuing the manufacturer.... I suspect they'll have legal caveats up the wazoo. You going to spend 10's of thousands in legal fees to chase a few bob? Pyrrhic victory springs to mind if it happens at all.
I was thinking small claims, if no one protests, nothing changes.Small claims,b y virtue of the name will only award a low amount regardless of your costs to prove defective product.
Take a deep breath.... and buy Motul, Motorex, Elf or Shell in the future and put this one down to experience
Benni said:
If the bike has a wet clutch, I would only use mineral oil, not semi-synthetic or full synthetic,
as synthetic oils lead to clutch slip.
Motorcycle engine oil is to *not* have friction modifiers. It doesn't matter if it's mineral, semi-synthetic, synthetic or elephant snot. I've always used synthetic oil and the only bike bike which has had clutch slip is my Ducati but that has a dry clutch and the plates were worn.....as synthetic oils lead to clutch slip.
The OP needs to tell us what he put into his engine.....!
What bike, how many miles / hours, what oil, what procedure did you follow if you did it yourself?
It;s likely that your clutch was on it's way out, and fresh oil just showed up an issue which was being masked by old oil not being as lubricating.
If the oil is specific for motorcycles, then it'll give no trouble with the clutch regardless of it being mineral, semi-synthetic or fully synthetic; it is an old wives tale that motorcycle-specific fully synthetic oil ruins motorcycle wet clutches (else there'd be a roaring trade in clutch rebuild kits!).
Have the clutch pack out, inspect the friction plates and the steel plates if you wish but replace with new (and new springs as well).
Remember: you only drained an old fluid and refilled with a new fluid (and hopefully replaced the oil filter). Unless you used the wrong oil, or did any other work messing with the clutch system, then its likely that the clutch is just done for.
It;s likely that your clutch was on it's way out, and fresh oil just showed up an issue which was being masked by old oil not being as lubricating.
If the oil is specific for motorcycles, then it'll give no trouble with the clutch regardless of it being mineral, semi-synthetic or fully synthetic; it is an old wives tale that motorcycle-specific fully synthetic oil ruins motorcycle wet clutches (else there'd be a roaring trade in clutch rebuild kits!).
Have the clutch pack out, inspect the friction plates and the steel plates if you wish but replace with new (and new springs as well).
Remember: you only drained an old fluid and refilled with a new fluid (and hopefully replaced the oil filter). Unless you used the wrong oil, or did any other work messing with the clutch system, then its likely that the clutch is just done for.
Edited by thatdude on Monday 29th June 08:30
unident said:
Benni said:
If the bike has a wet clutch, I would only use mineral oil, not semi-synthetic or full synthetic,
as synthetic oils lead to clutch slip.
Really?as synthetic oils lead to clutch slip.
I do all my own work - always have, I've been using a cheap semi oil in my bikes without any issue for years - I change it every 200-300 miles (competition KTM but not used in anger) it only takes 1.2L
Yet the first time I've used fully syth bike oil my clutch has failed spectacularly and everyone is telling Benni he's wrong yet here I am demonstrating in some cases at least, he's right !
Darkslider said:
Was it definitely a motorcycle specific oil? And are you sure you didn't overfill it? (Checking sight glass with it on the side stand for example)
Both of these have caused clutch slip for me in the past.
Yes and for two years I've been using car oil !Both of these have caused clutch slip for me in the past.
Positive - it gets changed monthly
thatdude said:
What bike, how many miles / hours, what oil, what procedure did you follow if you did it yourself?
It;s likely that your clutch was on it's way out, and fresh oil just showed up an issue which was being masked by old oil not being as lubricating.
If the oil is specific for motorcycles, then it'll give no trouble with the clutch regardless of it being mineral, semi-synthetic or fully synthetic; it is an old wives tale that motorcycle-specific fully synthetic oil ruins motorcycle wet clutches (else there'd be a roaring trade in clutch rebuild kits!).
Have the clutch pack out, inspect the friction plates and the steel plates if you wish but replace with new (and new springs as well).
Remember: you only drained an old fluid and refilled with a new fluid (and hopefully replaced the oil filter). Unless you used the wrong oil, or did any other work messing with the clutch system, then its likely that the clutch is just done for.
As mentioned I do it pretty much monthly - the only change was to a new oil and it slipped immediately, the old oil had done less than 200 milesIt;s likely that your clutch was on it's way out, and fresh oil just showed up an issue which was being masked by old oil not being as lubricating.
If the oil is specific for motorcycles, then it'll give no trouble with the clutch regardless of it being mineral, semi-synthetic or fully synthetic; it is an old wives tale that motorcycle-specific fully synthetic oil ruins motorcycle wet clutches (else there'd be a roaring trade in clutch rebuild kits!).
Have the clutch pack out, inspect the friction plates and the steel plates if you wish but replace with new (and new springs as well).
Remember: you only drained an old fluid and refilled with a new fluid (and hopefully replaced the oil filter). Unless you used the wrong oil, or did any other work messing with the clutch system, then its likely that the clutch is just done for.
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