chaincase oil level confusion

I've read posts about confusion over the quantity of oil guys are running in their chaincases. When I changed mine on my Attak before I put it away for the summer, it took maybe 3 or 4 ounces to get it to register at the reverse mark. Manual says it holds 8.5 ounces, my understanding is that's for non-reverse models.

From the posts I've read, lots of guys sleds came filled to the non-reverse mark, even when they have reverse. Filling to the reverse mark makes me nervous - it's just so close to the bottom of the dipstick! And just 3 or 4 ounces? Seems a little disconcerting. I know some guys are going somewhere in between the marks.

what's the consensus on levels?

WITHOUT removing the cover, I add 8oz for my Apex.

When I change the chain case oil on my Attak last year, I measured how much came out. If memory serves me correctly, eight ounce came out. So, I figured if Yamaha put in eight ounce at the factory, that's good enough for me - I added eight ounces of new oil.

I also added 8oz to my sled when i changed the chaincase oil. Dont run the sled with only three to four ounces.

This is one question that I don't think we've ever figured out what the proper amount is.

What I've seen, heard and read:

- All of the sleds I've seen and heard about came from the factory with the oil filled up to the standard full line, even reverse sleds (I've personally checked 1 new 05 RX-1 and 3 new 06 Apex's all were at the standard full line).

- The owners manual states non-reverse sleds should be filled to the std full line and sleds with reverse should be filled to the reverse full line (05 RX-1 manual and 07 RTX manual). One new addition in the 2007 RTX manual is in brackets after the reverse model description is states "(not applicable)". I suspect this is because the manual doesn't cover an RTX with reverse (nowhere in the manual does it discuss reverse).

- My 2005 RX-1 Yamaha shop manual states the chaincase oil capacity is 0.25 liters or 8.5 US oz and states std models should be filled to std full line and reverse models should be filled to reverse full line

- If I drain the oil out using the drain plug plus tip the sled up a little to drain more out and then carefully install exactly 0.25 liters the level is well over the reverse full line and below the std full line.

- I've been told that if you pull the chaincase cover and drain all of the oil and then add exactly 0.25 liters the level is still well over the reverse full line on the 05 RX-1.

It would be great to hear what is correct...

One of my thoughts is if you have too much oil, the oil is constantly being worked, robbing power and creating heat in the chaincase.

On the other hand, too little oil and the chain doesn't get cooled or lubricated enough.

I think one of the problems is with different lower gears the fluid level changes for the same amount of fluid in the case. This probably explains why filling with a certain amount doesn't line up with the dipstick marks.

Does anyone have an official word on if we should be using the std or reverse marks on the dipstick for reverse sleds or if we should be adding exactly 0.25 liters and ignoring the dipstick markings?

Should we be draining the factory fill out a little to bring it down to the reverse full mark?

My dealer said the ER with reverse holds 250 cc's, which is 8.5 oz.

Are you guys pushing the dipstick all the way in to check the chaincase oil level, or are you just setting it in the hole?

Same question on the engine oil???? I just set my dipstick in the hole to check the engine oil....

So, that would mean the dipstick is wrong? However, when I drained mine, only 3 or 4 oz came out (the dealer did the 800 km service in january, so he would have filled it before I changed it in the spring)

Perhaps there is a connection with an inaccurate stick and those with chaincase failures?

87gtNOS said:

Are you guys pushing the dipstick all the way in to check the chaincase oil level, or are you just setting it in the hole?

Same question on the engine oil???? I just set my dipstick in the hole to check the engine oil....

Click to expand...

For the chaincase, pushing the dipstick in all the way to check.

For the oil, placing it in the hole, but not screwing it in to check.

ReX said:

87gtNOS said:

Are you guys pushing the dipstick all the way in to check the chaincase oil level, or are you just setting it in the hole?

Same question on the engine oil???? I just set my dipstick in the hole to check the engine oil....

Click to expand...

For the chaincase, pushing the dipstick in all the way to check.

For the oil, placing it in the hole, but not screwing it in to check.

Click to expand...

Excellent!! that's how I do it too!

Here's the bottom line - who knows, for a fact, what bloody mark we're suppose to use!!
(if everyone just puts in 8.5 oz to the non-reverse level, why does Yamaha have a reverse level indicator on their dipsticks?)

KubotaOne said:

why does Yamaha have a reverse level indicator on their dipsticks?)

Click to expand...

Maybe because the extra parts take up more space in there?

You guys are missing something really simple.... This is a CHAINCASE, not a crankcase. Overfilling won't hurt it.

LazyBastard said:

You guys are missing something really simple.... This is a CHAINCASE, not a crankcase. Overfilling won't hurt it.

Click to expand...

On the 05's and earlier I would agree with you. The chaincase was pretty much bulletproof. Pretty much any amount of oil and they just worked.

On the 06's, and possibly the 07's, the oil level might play a significant part in the operating temperature and overal durability. The fully magnesium chaincases (06/07) run extremely hot compared to the older aluminum ones.

Personally I'd like to minimize the failure risk by having the proper amount of oil in the chaincase (although I'm starting to like the idea of installing an 05 chaincase on the 07 and be done with it).

Chaincase oil level

Have my ER filled to the Reverse level, no problems. This would be a good question for a Yamaha tech to verify once and for all.

IF the level is higher than what the dipstick reads, say if you fill it to the Non-reverse level, and if there is an issue with venting, could this create any pressure build-up which would caues the chaincase cover seal to move out of position??