No, I do not want to start an oil quality thread but need some appreciated advice on following.
Changed my oil and filter yesterday after 7000kms, so definitely it was time. Oil was dark, but still had good touch and smell. Also removed and cleaned the mesh filter, luckily only 1 very tiny aluminium flake on a further clean mesh.
Previous oil Shell Advance 4T 10W-40 which is hard to get in the place I live. On the advice of the local dealer I filled her up with Fuchs Silkolene comp 4 15W-50 full synthetic. 15W-50 makes sense as I drive my bike daily through medium to heavy traffic in always +30 degrees Celsius.
However, after the oil change during the test drive I noticed clutch slippage during upshifting in the higher end rev range, above 6500 rpm, so with max torque. It happened from 1-2 but also between 2-3. I did not have any clutch slippage issues before this oil change so I blame it on the oil. No clutch slippage when I keep it in first or second and open her up full from 5000 rpm- to the limiter. I also noticed a higher operating temp, nothing serious but a 10 deg higher as before (still below 120C)
I am thinking to get rid of this 15W-50 oil and fill her up again with a decent 10W-40 oil and see what`s happening.
Your advice is welcome, can a clutch be toast after 15.000 kms or is it really this oil change which I suspect the culprit of my clutch problem (Or maybe it is and a rubbish clutch together with this change of oil)?
btw, bike = S2R800
Just to be sure, check clutch lever free play, it should be 1.5-2mm. at the lever. If in doubt, add a little free play. Then try a different oil, though the Silkolene comp 4 15W-50 should work.
Sounds to me like its Fuched.
Sorry.
I couldn't resist.
I guess the clutch can be toast after 15,000kms but honestly i wouldnt be worrying about that. It was fine before you changed the oil. Change it to something else (I use Motul 7100 FWIW) and I'm betting your slippage issues go away [thumbsup].
Let us know how you go.
Isn't the s2r800 a dry clutch? if it is, oil would not affect clutch operation?
also, 15w-50 is too thick for the s2r800. manufacturer suggests 10w-40, or 10w-30 in colder climates
Quote from: motoxmann on December 09, 2012, 06:56:43 AM
Isn't the s2r800 a dry clutch? if it is, oil would not affect clutch operation?
800 motor is a wet clutch, very similar to your 750.
Quote from: ducpainter on December 09, 2012, 06:57:53 AM
800 motor is a wet clutch, very similar to your 750.
ah ok.
then yeah, change oils. whatever you end up going with, make sure it is designed for wet clutch motorcycle engines, and use 10w-40.
side note, Fuchs Lubricants is about 20 mins from where I live. I always chuckle when I drive by it and read the sign :p
S2R is wet clutch.
According to the owners manual 15W-50 can be used for ambient temperatures >-10C so I am still a bit baffled that this happens. I noticed that with clutchless upshifting I have no slippage so I am now using this to avoid the annoyance of the slipping clutch, makes shifting faster to :). Still thinking however to revert to the good old 10W-40...
FWIW, 25Celsius is considered a cold night where I live, 35Celsius is the normal midday temperature, so a lower viscosity oil than 10W-40 is not the best idea is my guess
Quote from: ducej on December 09, 2012, 05:50:06 PM
S2R is wet clutch.
According to the owners manual 15W-50 can be used for ambient temperatures >-10C so I am still a bit baffled that this happens. I noticed that with clutchless upshifting I have no slippage so I am now using this to avoid the annoyance of the slipping clutch, makes shifting faster to :). Still thinking however to revert to the good old 10W-40...
FWIW, 25Celsius is considered a cold night where I live, 35Celsius is the normal midday temperature, so a lower viscosity oil than 10W-40 is not the best idea is my guess
I agree with your assessment of required viscosity. 15W50 is probably the best choice.
Some oils just don't work for friction plate materials, and since that's all you changed before having the issue I'd say it's reasonable to suspect the oil as ungeheuer already suggested.
That bike has an APTC clutch I think. If so, they are more prone to slipping than the conventional clutches and fussier about oil. Since it was happy with the last selection I would go back to that oil unless you ride in really hot temperatures.
Reviving this topic after my last oil change this weekend. Up to then the clutch slipped from time to time as described earlier. Oil was changed after 4k, quite dark but not smelly. Filled it up with Silkolene 10W50 full synthetic, took her for a good spin and guess, no clutch slippage at all. Will see what happens when I take her to the mountains coming weekend but so far so good.
Updated the little S2R with a new chain (DID 525 XW black on gold) and 2 new sprockets (15 front and changed from 41 to 43 at the rear). Got myself the Ducati performance sprocket at the rear, feels like 2 kgs less (not that I notice while driving). Pretty pleased with this upgrade, especially while future changes don't require dismantling all at the rear.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/9466815540_41c445ae52.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/100035544@N06/9466815540/)
IMG_0021 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/100035544@N06/9466815540/#) by ducej (https://www.flickr.com/people/100035544@N06/), on Flickr
At the shop somebody left a very sad motor.... This can happen too...
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/9464034759_4fb1a56842.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/100035544@N06/9464034759/)
IMG_0019 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/100035544@N06/9464034759/#) by ducej (https://www.flickr.com/people/100035544@N06/), on Flickr
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2835/9464034527_de9d18dded.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/100035544@N06/9464034527/)
IMG_0017 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/100035544@N06/9464034527/#) by ducej (https://www.flickr.com/people/100035544@N06/), on Flickr
What made it drop the valve?
No idea, this engine as sitting in a corner. Will ask the tech though, next time around.