W
After a recent ride (70 miles, rough and steep mountain terrain) I was two quarts low on oil. I’m wondering where it went. I’ll list all the facts I can below and see what you guys can come up with.
1. 2017 Honda Pioneer 500 with 4735 miles, no issues whatsoever until this.
2. Changed my own oil and oil filter, and cleaned/oiled my air filter about 200 miles ago; torqued drain plug to 18 ft-lb and oil filter housing to 9 ft-lb.
3. Checked oil prior to last ride and it was at the top of the cross-hatches on the dipstick.
4. During the last ride, I heard a bit of clatter at times and also heard noises that sounded similar to muffled backfires, especially when when engine braking was occurring downhill, when shifting into a lower gear, or when traveling at lower speeds on flat ground in 5th. The engine also felt hesitant and sputtery (for lack of better words) for brief periods.
5. Returned home from last ride and checked oil due to #4, above. Had to add two quarts.
6. Temperature gauge sat at 2/5 bars the whole time (where it always does).
7. No smoke from exhaust nor any petroleum scent.
8. No oil underneath machine in my garage, none on top of the skid plates, none around filter housing, no oily feeling around drain plug, and no oil found in air filter housing box.
9. Took it to local Honda place where they changed oil and filter, serviced air filter, adjusted valves, and installed new drain plug with Helicoil. I was told the valves were pretty far out of adjustment, and that the aluminum around the drain plug was pretty chewed up.
10. Owner of Honda place suggested that oil probably leaked out around drain plug threads due to viscosity decrease when warm coupled with poor state of threads, and/or was expelled thru valves.
11. Machine (so far) sounds, feels and drives perfectly now.
12. Honda shop owner used Honda 10-40 for oil change, but suggested I keep Honda 20-50 with me in case of emergency use on the trail.
Where do you think this oil went? I’m skeptical of the Honda shop’s explanation because there was no visible evidence of leaking, and because there was no smoking or petroleum smell. And, do you think I have damaged my ride? Two quarts is a lot of oil to go wherever it went and as fast as it went.
1. 2017 Honda Pioneer 500 with 4735 miles, no issues whatsoever until this.
2. Changed my own oil and oil filter, and cleaned/oiled my air filter about 200 miles ago; torqued drain plug to 18 ft-lb and oil filter housing to 9 ft-lb.
3. Checked oil prior to last ride and it was at the top of the cross-hatches on the dipstick.
4. During the last ride, I heard a bit of clatter at times and also heard noises that sounded similar to muffled backfires, especially when when engine braking was occurring downhill, when shifting into a lower gear, or when traveling at lower speeds on flat ground in 5th. The engine also felt hesitant and sputtery (for lack of better words) for brief periods.
5. Returned home from last ride and checked oil due to #4, above. Had to add two quarts.
6. Temperature gauge sat at 2/5 bars the whole time (where it always does).
7. No smoke from exhaust nor any petroleum scent.
8. No oil underneath machine in my garage, none on top of the skid plates, none around filter housing, no oily feeling around drain plug, and no oil found in air filter housing box.
9. Took it to local Honda place where they changed oil and filter, serviced air filter, adjusted valves, and installed new drain plug with Helicoil. I was told the valves were pretty far out of adjustment, and that the aluminum around the drain plug was pretty chewed up.
10. Owner of Honda place suggested that oil probably leaked out around drain plug threads due to viscosity decrease when warm coupled with poor state of threads, and/or was expelled thru valves.
11. Machine (so far) sounds, feels and drives perfectly now.
12. Honda shop owner used Honda 10-40 for oil change, but suggested I keep Honda 20-50 with me in case of emergency use on the trail.
Where do you think this oil went? I’m skeptical of the Honda shop’s explanation because there was no visible evidence of leaking, and because there was no smoking or petroleum smell. And, do you think I have damaged my ride? Two quarts is a lot of oil to go wherever it went and as fast as it went.
