Oil Change - Terminal Clutch Slip Within 30 Mins

[V8RX7]

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 ?

[V8RX7]

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.

Rather not mention the company but a smaller one

[V8RX7]

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]

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?

I knew this would come up and I've heard similar, yet all the modern oils for modern bikes are semi / full synth

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 !

[V8RX7]

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 !

Positive - it gets changed monthly

[V8RX7]

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 miles

[V8RX7]

I've already contacted the company and simply don't want to name them until they reply

I love the usual PH conspiracy theories

It really is as simple as:

Using semi syth car oil for 2 years, changing monthly / 200 miles ish without issue - no point paying for expensive oils that last 6k when I change it so regularly and it only holds 1.2L

Changed to bike specific fully syth and the clutch immediately slipped - hence hardly a leap to suspect the new oil is far slippier than the old oil !

[V8RX7]

unident said:

Or the car oil has done loads of damage and the new specific oil has highlighted the damage.

It’s a definite possibility and one that you’d struggle to disprove

I've just pulled the clutch - looks fine

Court is simply balance of probability A+B=C not the PH way of A2xCz-BDF could possibly = Y

I've asked on another bike forum and others have had similar experiences with synthetic oils

[KTMsm]

black-k1 said:

I agree with the "why would you" question as any cost advantage is complete peanuts compared to other running costs.

My K1300S Sport did 56k miles in my ownership and NEVER needed a top up between services.

The video posted as "a final nail" clearly stated the other issues were in relation to shearing. The OP said "I change it every 200-300 miles". I really don't think shearing is an issue in 200 - 300 miles of use of any oil that meets the specification requirements for the engine.

Again, I still wouldn't choose to use a car oil in a motorcycle (with a wet clutch and integral gear box - happy to do so in dry clutch non-unit engines) but as I said, doing so is not quite as "hilarious" as some in this thread appear to have suggested

But your BMW doesn't require an oil change after a few hours - this is an enduro bike

If any had the brains to google they'd find the answer that many run car oil with no ill effects in dirt bikes used for off roading rather than competition

As I mentioned many times I only changed 3 out of spec clutch plates and carried on running the car oil, I still am and it's still running fine - I think that's 4 years now

The only problem was the BIKE fully synthetic causing the out of spec clutch to slip

Running a 450 KTM for 4 years and only buying £30 of clutch plates is doing far better than most.

[KTMsm]

trickywoo said:

Can't resist banging a nail in the coffin of the car oil in a bike is fine idiots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPN6InDHE4k

Yes that seems highly technical, I must have missed the bit where he tested them or reported any test data

Here is a link to an old test that MCN reported on - where a Physics Professor actually tested them

http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/oiltest1.htm