Stelvio oil change questions

[Steve350f]

About to do the first service oil change on the CARC, tranny, and motor on my ‘17 Stelvio.  It’s got about 700 miles on it now.  Per alot of post with CARC guys using 75w-90 in their CARC and tranny, I’m gonna go that route.  Couldn’t find any 85w-90 anyway.  I picked up some full syn Lucas 75w-90.  Got the Motul syn 10w-60 for the motor, and a new filter of course.  So the question is this, I’ve read that the motor likes to be at the mid point between the fill and full mark because of blowback into the intake, is that correct?  Also how about the levels for the CARC and tranny, any input?  Any other tricks or suggestions would be welcomed.  Thanks. 

[Lannis]

About to do the first service oil change on the CARC, tranny, and motor on my ‘17 Stelvio.  It’s got about 700 miles on it now.  Per alot of post with CARC guys using 75w-90 in their CARC and tranny, I’m gonna go that route.  Couldn’t find any 85w-90 anyway.  I picked up some full syn Lucas 75w-90.  Got the Motul syn 10w-60 for the motor, and a new filter of course.  So the question is this, I’ve read that the motor likes to be at the mid point between the fill and full mark because of blowback into the intake, is that correct?  Also how about the levels for the CARC and tranny, any input?  Any other tricks or suggestions would be welcomed.  Thanks.

I can only tell you what I've had success with on my '09 Stelvio, which in the area of oil and lubes should be the same as yours.

I level the bike up on the centerstand and a board under the appropriate tire to level front and rear (I've shortened my suspension an inch, so you'll have to do what works) when I change the fluids.

I drain the three oil reservoirs through paint filters to make sure that there's no non-magnetic crap in the oil.   (The magnetic traps on the plugs take care of the rest).

I fill the rear drive to JUST (1/8") under the fill hole.   I fill the transmission to JUST under the fill hole also.   I change the oil filter with the oil every 6250 miles (per the manual).   I prefill the filter with oil, and fill the engine to halfway between the "Full" and "Add" marks, run the engine a while to completely fill and soak the oil filter, and check it again.   I add oil to make halfway between the "Full" and "Add" marks again.

No Guzzi I've ever had likes to be jammed full of oil/gearbox oil to the top.   It'll just spit it out through a breather somewhere until it's at a comfortable level, and then never leak or burn any more.

I wouldn't do that on a VW Beetle, which needed every drop of oil in the sump and you were always a pint or two away from blowing your engine, but it seems to be the norm for Guzzi twins for 50 years .....

Lannis

[MotoG5]

I can only tell you what I've had success with on my '09 Stelvio, which in the area of oil and lubes should be the same as yours.

I level the bike up on the centerstand and a board under the appropriate tire to level front and rear (I've shortened my suspension an inch, so you'll have to do what works) when I change the fluids.

I drain the three oil reservoirs through paint filters to make sure that there's no non-magnetic crap in the oil.   (The magnetic traps on the plugs take care of the rest).

I fill the rear drive to JUST (1/8") under the fill hole.   I fill the transmission to JUST under the fill hole also.   I change the oil filter with the oil every 6250 miles (per the manual).   I prefill the filter with oil, and fill the engine to halfway between the "Full" and "Add" marks, run the engine a while to completely fill and soak the oil filter, and check it again.   I add oil to make halfway between the "Full" and "Add" marks again.

Just recently sold my 2012 Stevio bought new in 12'. Lannis's procedure is the way I did oil changes with out any issues for the seven years I owned the bike. Didn't use the paint filters but its an idea that couldn't hurt if one was so inclined.

[Lannis]

Just recently sold my 2012 Stevio bought new in 12'. Lannis's procedure is the way I did oil changes with out any issues for the seven years I owned the bike. Didn't use the paint filters but its an idea that couldn't hurt if one was so inclined.

The only reason I started filtering the drained oil is because when I bought the bike, the dealer was 150 miles away; I asked them if I could do the first service instead of bringing it back, and they said yes but would I please document exactly what I did, and filter the break-in oil so they could sign off the warranty service card with a clear conscience.   

By this time, there's probably not much value in doing it ...

Lannis

[Steve350f]

The only reason I started filtering the drained oil is because when I bought the bike, the dealer was 150 miles away; I asked them if I could do the first service instead of bringing it back, and they said yes but would I please document exactly what I did, and filter the break-in oil so they could sign off the warranty service card with a clear conscience.   

By this time, there's probably not much value in doing it ...

Lannis

Wait, do I have to get the first oil change done at a dealer to keep the warranty valid?  It’s a brand new ‘17 from a dealer purchased a couple months ago.   

[Lannis]

Wait, do I have to get the first oil change done at a dealer to keep the warranty valid?  It’s a brand new ‘17 from a dealer purchased a couple months ago.   

No, you don't.   There's a law that says that a dealer/manufacturer can't require that.   But I suppose my dealer wanted the best possible documentation on their books in case they had to make a claim, and they asked if I would do it for them, and I agreed; they'd been very easy to get along with.   I even took photos of the process and sent it to them.

There's a "rest of the story" ... As I was adjusting the valves, I noticed that one of the exhaust valve adjusters didn't have a locking nut on it.    The worser news was that I couldn't find it anywhere.   I called the dealer, and it ended up that I had to trailer the bike back down there anyway.   They had done the original cam recall (not the roller tappets, we didn't know about that yet) so they were the last ones in there.    They had in fact failed to tighten it up after finishing the recall work, it had come off, gone down the cam chain tunnel, and was sitting on a flange in the sump.   It looked like it took a lick from the cam chain as it went down, but everything was OK.

I didn't fuss, they fessed up and were standing by in case anything else happened.   But like the other 8 Virginia Guzzi dealers we've had since I got into Guzzis around 2000, they soon went out of business and I was on my own as always .... !

Lannis

[Spuddy]

LANNIS:

It has been my experience that my '13 Stelvio does not like 3.7 litres of engine oil.  It takes 3.2-3.3 liters with a filter change.
How about you?

Spud

[HarveyMushman]

LANNIS:

It has been my experience that my '13 Stelvio does not like 3.7 litres of engine oil.  It takes 3.2-3.3 liters with a filter change.
How about you?

Spud

I give mine an even 3, plus whatever is required to fill the new filter. 

[Lannis]

LANNIS:

It has been my experience that my '13 Stelvio does not like 3.7 litres of engine oil.  It takes 3.2-3.3 liters with a filter change.
How about you?

Spud

Since I can't buy "AGIP" in liters any more, I buy "Motul" 10W60 in 4 liter containers and pour in whatever will bring the level to halfway between the Max and Add marks, which usually means I start with half a jug and open another to finish up.   So your amounts sound reasonable even though I've not measured it ....

Lannis

[Steve350f]

Changed the oil and filter and went for a ride to warm it up and soak the filter (filled before install).  The reading I get when fully inserting the dipstick is just about 1/4” over the max mark.  I know for a fact I didn’t put more then speced.  Inserting the dipstick all the way is the correct way right?  Should I let a bit out to get to that mid mark?  Don’t want it blowing it out like I’ve heard can happen. 

[Larry]

Mmm.
I'm thinking you shouldn't be screwing the dip stick all the way in to check the oil level, at least I never have.
Just let it sit before threading, then check it.
I'm sure someone else will chime in if'n I'm wrong.

Larry

[Steve350f]

Mmm.
I'm thinking you shouldn't be screwing the dip stick all the way in to check the oil level, at least I never have.
Just let it sit before threading, then check it.
I'm sure someone else will chime in if'n I'm wrong.

Larry

The dipstick doesn’t screw in on a Stelvio, it’s just a push in, Like a car.  Very strange.  Gonna change it to a screw in tho.   

[Larry]

It definitely screwed in on my 2012.
So maybe don't push it in?

[HarveyMushman]

Changed the oil and filter and went for a ride to warm it up and soak the filter (filled before install).  The reading I get when fully inserting the dipstick is just about 1/4” over the max mark.  I know for a fact I didn’t put more then speced.  Inserting the dipstick all the way is the correct way right?  Should I let a bit out to get to that mid mark?  Don’t want it blowing it out like I’ve heard can happen.

If you added the spec’d 4 liters you overfilled it.

[MotoG5]

The NTX has a two piece adapter screwed into the standard fill/check hole on the block. The old style was a metal cap with attached dip stick, that one had to be screwed in to check. The two piece plastic adapter has a separate dip stick with a finger ring on it that is pushed in and pulled out for checking.
After oil change on the stand my bike would take 3.8 liters to hit the full mark. After riding a warm oil check would show about 1/8" over the full line. Never blew any out into the overfill tube and used little oil between changes.

[Dilliw]

I give mine an even 3, plus whatever is required to fill the new filter.

The Griso will just weep out the right side above the brake at 3l plus the filter fill..  I think it likes 2.95!

[Steve350f]

Interesting thread here (even with it being an oil thread, ha ha). So, the spec on the oil capacity states 3.5L and you have folks doing everything from 2.95L, 3.2-3.3L, 3L plus filter fill, to 3.8L!!  Also everywhere from just above the low mark, halfway between marks, and even 1/8” OVER the max mark.  Guess I’ll just go with what feels right, ha ha.

[Lannis]

Interesting thread here (even with it being an oil thread, ha ha). So, the spec on the oil capacity states 3.5L and you have folks doing everything from 2.95L, 3.2-3.3L, 3L plus filter fill, to 3.8L!!  Also everywhere from just above the low mark, halfway between marks, and even 1/8” OVER the max mark.  Guess I’ll just go with what feels right, ha ha.

What the data PROBABLY means is that the oil level doesn't matter a whole lot.   None of the suggestions will burn the engine up or accelerate wear even in the worst conditions, and if it gets too MUCH oil, it'll just puke it out until it's comfortable .... !

Lannis

[Dilliw]

What the data PROBABLY means is that the oil level doesn't matter a whole lot.   None of the suggestions will burn the engine up or accelerate wear even in the worst conditions, and if it gets too MUCH oil, it'll just puke it out until it's comfortable .... !

Lannis

Yep, both of my Guzzi's are self regulating.  The EV pukes out of the breather drain tube and the Griso weeps down the right side from somewhere.