Triumphrat

Pat69 · 11-11-2004

Hi everyone!

What is 'normal' oil consumption? Does anyone know?

The details:

Sprint Exec, 1998, 12,000 miles (nearly at its next service interval). Full service history, and in good condition all over. Seemed to get through 500-600ml of oil in its last 3,000 miles, i.e. required a top-up quite recently!

Only reason I ask is that almost everything, car and bike, that I've owned before hardly seemed to use oil at all (except for the old bangers that leaked it visibly).

The only other facts that might be worth mentioning is that it started weeping (very slightly) oil from its valve cover recently. I torqued down the cover, and checked the crank-case breather was clear, thinking there might be an abnormal pressure build-up. There's no oil (or other fluid) in the airbox, and the weeping has now stopped, even with full oil level restored. (Coolant was topped up from 'min' to 'max' at the same time the oil was topped up, BTW.) Bike runs fine, doesn't overheat, and has never dripped oil from anywhere I can see. Nor do I ride it at max revs everywhere 'cos I ride to arrive alive!

I read (in RiDE, I think) that Honda Fireblades can go through quite a lot of oil (someone mentioned one that got through 330ml in 800 miles) , so it's necessary to keep it topped up regularly, but I haven't heard of it happening with Triumph triples. What do you guys think?

Pat69 · 11-11-2004

Hi everyone!

What is 'normal' oil consumption? Does anyone know?

The details:

Sprint Exec, 1998, 12,000 miles (nearly at its next service interval). Full service history, and in good condition all over. Seemed to get through 500-600ml of oil in its last 3,000 miles, i.e. required a top-up quite recently!

Only reason I ask is that almost everything, car and bike, that I've owned before hardly seemed to use oil at all (except for the old bangers that leaked it visibly).

The only other facts that might be worth mentioning is that it started weeping (very slightly) oil from its valve cover recently. I torqued down the cover, and checked the crank-case breather was clear, thinking there might be an abnormal pressure build-up. There's no oil (or other fluid) in the airbox, and the weeping has now stopped, even with full oil level restored. (Coolant was topped up from 'min' to 'max' at the same time the oil was topped up, BTW.) Bike runs fine, doesn't overheat, and has never dripped oil from anywhere I can see. Nor do I ride it at max revs everywhere 'cos I ride to arrive alive!

I read (in RiDE, I think) that Honda Fireblades can go through quite a lot of oil (someone mentioned one that got through 330ml in 800 miles) , so it's necessary to keep it topped up regularly, but I haven't heard of it happening with Triumph triples. What do you guys think?

Team2 · 11-11-2004

I have an 02 RS with about 11,000 miles on it. It does not use any oil at all. I only ride about 4,500 miles per year so I change the Amsoil 10W-40 synthetic oil I use once per year. I tend to ride the bike hard - no leaks and no oil consumption! Great engine!!!

Team2 · 11-11-2004

I have an 02 RS with about 11,000 miles on it. It does not use any oil at all. I only ride about 4,500 miles per year so I change the Amsoil 10W-40 synthetic oil I use once per year. I tend to ride the bike hard - no leaks and no oil consumption! Great engine!!!

geezerx · 11-12-2004

i'm sure my experience is not typical.

at less than 3500 miles my s3 had progressively increased in oil consumption to a rate of 1 qt in less than 800 miles. the sump was never over-filled and the air box was like-new clean. also there was no obvious trail of smoke out of the exhaust or any sign of an external leak???????

the bike was "broken in" by the book and subsequently ridden at a pace far less than aggressive, that is, if you don't figure in speed vs speed limit :horns: . no wots, never near the red-line (mostly under 6g) and at the other end of the rpm range: no lugging (2.5 to 3g minimum). oil used was triumps' own "bottled for".

warranty work included new valve guide seals, honed cylinders and new rings. 900 miles since and so far seems to consume no oil.

[ This message was edited by: geezerx on 2004-11-12 05:38 ]

geezerx · 11-12-2004

i'm sure my experience is not typical.

at less than 3500 miles my s3 had progressively increased in oil consumption to a rate of 1 qt in less than 800 miles. the sump was never over-filled and the air box was like-new clean. also there was no obvious trail of smoke out of the exhaust or any sign of an external leak???????

the bike was "broken in" by the book and subsequently ridden at a pace far less than aggressive, that is, if you don't figure in speed vs speed limit :horns: . no wots, never near the red-line (mostly under 6g) and at the other end of the rpm range: no lugging (2.5 to 3g minimum). oil used was triumps' own "bottled for".

warranty work included new valve guide seals, honed cylinders and new rings. 900 miles since and so far seems to consume no oil.

[ This message was edited by: geezerx on 2004-11-12 05:38 ]

j98sprint · 11-12-2004

I probably use 1/2 to 3/4 qt. between oil changes of 4,000 to 5,000 miles. I ride daily and I don't baby it. I have a '98 Sprint Executive with 71,000 miles on the clock.

Your oil consumption does not sound excessive.

j98sprint

j98sprint · 11-12-2004

I probably use 1/2 to 3/4 qt. between oil changes of 4,000 to 5,000 miles. I ride daily and I don't baby it. I have a '98 Sprint Executive with 71,000 miles on the clock.

Your oil consumption does not sound excessive.

j98sprint

lowedaph · 11-12-2004

Yep, mine burns oil too, and has for a number of years. I don't think its normal, and attempts were made to correct under warranty, to no avail. That was a couple of years ago; there haven't been any ill effects manifested yet, other than going through a quart every 2k. The bike is my daily ride, its not treated like a toy.

lowedaph · 11-12-2004

Yep, mine burns oil too, and has for a number of years. I don't think its normal, and attempts were made to correct under warranty, to no avail. That was a couple of years ago; there haven't been any ill effects manifested yet, other than going through a quart every 2k. The bike is my daily ride, its not treated like a toy.