Mike Rocket
Rocket 3
Just an update to my previous post for your information.
My 2014 Rocket oil tank level was dropping by about 3/4 inch in 24 hours while standing. Almost empty In 3 days. No external leaks. On start up the scavenge pumps quickly return the oil to the tank and the oil light extinguishes in a second.
I decided to change the non return valve and dropped the sump and renewed the valve. While it was on the bench I removed the pick up screens for cleaning and was astounded at the amount of trash both the screens had stopped. No metal shavings just bits of rubber gasket and general debris, it looked like the screens were 25% restricted. I cleaned them and put it all back together. I believe this is the first strip down since the engine was built in the factory.
When I attempted to torque up the sump bolts to 12nm as the manual says the torque wrench did not want to crack off at 12nm and it felt like the bolts were going to strip or snap, so I lowered the setting to 10nm and they cracked off fine. The torque wrench is a new one with a calibration certificate so I have confidence it is correct. ( I also remembered a post from some time ago of someone torquing their sump bolts to 12 nm and snapping one in the engine, so I was already wary of doing the same)
Now the result:
After running up the engine to operating temp. and checking the oil level over 3 days the oil level still drains down to the sump so it wasn't the non return, in fact I have no idea now why this happens, but having been a member of this great site for almost 3 years and reading about this oil drop when standing unused for a week or so I must come to the conclusion it is normal.
Triumph obviously know about it because of the way they tell you to run the engine before checking the oil level.
I suppose it's just a quirk of this bike. My previous Rocket drained down too although not as quickly as this one.
The thing that worries me slightly is the slightly longer time it takes for the oil pressure light to extinguish when the oil tank is empty. ( probably only a1/2 second longer though)
As I bought it second hand with 12000 miles on the clock I assume the oil level always did drop when standing and the previous owner and most of the other owners don't actually check the oil level before starting up after standing overnight but just recheck after running it for a minute or two and by then the scavenge pumps have done their job.
I hav'nt seen any posts on here of wrecked engines due to lack of oil so I have to believe all is working as it is designed by Triumph.
Sorry to drone on about this but I have been concerned in case there was a fault with my bike, but two bikes acting the same cannot be defective.
It hasn't been a waste of time as the pick up screens are now clear.
From now on I shall just accept it is all ok and just ride.
Any comments still welcome though.
My 2014 Rocket oil tank level was dropping by about 3/4 inch in 24 hours while standing. Almost empty In 3 days. No external leaks. On start up the scavenge pumps quickly return the oil to the tank and the oil light extinguishes in a second.
I decided to change the non return valve and dropped the sump and renewed the valve. While it was on the bench I removed the pick up screens for cleaning and was astounded at the amount of trash both the screens had stopped. No metal shavings just bits of rubber gasket and general debris, it looked like the screens were 25% restricted. I cleaned them and put it all back together. I believe this is the first strip down since the engine was built in the factory.
When I attempted to torque up the sump bolts to 12nm as the manual says the torque wrench did not want to crack off at 12nm and it felt like the bolts were going to strip or snap, so I lowered the setting to 10nm and they cracked off fine. The torque wrench is a new one with a calibration certificate so I have confidence it is correct. ( I also remembered a post from some time ago of someone torquing their sump bolts to 12 nm and snapping one in the engine, so I was already wary of doing the same)
Now the result:
After running up the engine to operating temp. and checking the oil level over 3 days the oil level still drains down to the sump so it wasn't the non return, in fact I have no idea now why this happens, but having been a member of this great site for almost 3 years and reading about this oil drop when standing unused for a week or so I must come to the conclusion it is normal.
Triumph obviously know about it because of the way they tell you to run the engine before checking the oil level.
I suppose it's just a quirk of this bike. My previous Rocket drained down too although not as quickly as this one.
The thing that worries me slightly is the slightly longer time it takes for the oil pressure light to extinguish when the oil tank is empty. ( probably only a1/2 second longer though)
As I bought it second hand with 12000 miles on the clock I assume the oil level always did drop when standing and the previous owner and most of the other owners don't actually check the oil level before starting up after standing overnight but just recheck after running it for a minute or two and by then the scavenge pumps have done their job.
I hav'nt seen any posts on here of wrecked engines due to lack of oil so I have to believe all is working as it is designed by Triumph.
Sorry to drone on about this but I have been concerned in case there was a fault with my bike, but two bikes acting the same cannot be defective.
It hasn't been a waste of time as the pick up screens are now clear.
From now on I shall just accept it is all ok and just ride.
Any comments still welcome though.