Have a question for those who know more than I. My 1st bike is my 2002 VRSCA so most my education etc... is due to owning that, I now own a 2012 Triumph Scrambler, high revving air cooled bike. I use the same oil in both, change them out at same intervals, 5000 miles. I notice that the oil in the Triumph comes out BLACK, Really REALLY black. The VRSCA is dirty when I change it but not this dirty. DO air cooled bikes cause oil to break down in a different manner or is this not normal? The bike has a site glass instead of a dipstick so I cannot gauge when it starts to Turn like I would on my Revo bike. Only difference is I use Amsoil filters on my Triumph and HD filters on my VRSCA.
Water cooled VS Air Cooled
luxlamf
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Have a question for those who know more than I. My 1st bike is my 2002 VRSCA so most my education etc... is due to owning that, I now own a 2012 Triumph Scrambler, high revving air cooled bike. I use the same oil in both, change them out at same intervals, 5000 miles. I notice that the oil in the Triumph comes out BLACK, Really REALLY black. The VRSCA is dirty when I change it but not this dirty. DO air cooled bikes cause oil to break down in a different manner or is this not normal? The bike has a site glass instead of a dipstick so I cannot gauge when it starts to Turn like I would on my Revo bike. Only difference is I use Amsoil filters on my Triumph and HD filters on my VRSCA.
removing the smog gear on my scrambler made little difference .but new oil made the clutch 'grab' like it was new ,mobil 20/50 4t discolored by 5000 km/3000miles-but that bike went better on '91' octane petrol than the '96' octane i use in the vrod(full syn oil )
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Not to worry, how dark your oil is doesn't really matter. The darkness is carbon from the blow-by of the rings.
An air-cooled engine must be made with looser components than a liquid-cooled engine or the parts would lock up during the critical warm-up period. That's why the liquid cooled engines can deliver lower emissions (the engine combustion chamber is sealed tighter). Naturally, the Triumph is going to blow carbon by the rings more than the V-Rod, dirtying the oil.
You should see how dark my Amsoil looks at 15,000 miles! It probably looks similar to your Triumph's oil at 5,000.
An air-cooled engine must be made with looser components than a liquid-cooled engine or the parts would lock up during the critical warm-up period. That's why the liquid cooled engines can deliver lower emissions (the engine combustion chamber is sealed tighter). Naturally, the Triumph is going to blow carbon by the rings more than the V-Rod, dirtying the oil.
You should see how dark my Amsoil looks at 15,000 miles! It probably looks similar to your Triumph's oil at 5,000.
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Yes because in an air cooled bike the oil also acts like coolant. That is why "most" air cooled bikes have an oil cooler on them from the factory and if they don't most people install an aftermarket one. I would assume your bike has an oil cooler (the V-rod has a radiator and an oil cooler).
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Lux, I can only give some insight into this. First the Triumph runs hotter overall being air cooled. This alone will darken the oil. Also the way the oil is used to lube the motor and where is returns will change the color. If the oil is drain backs are near the exhaust side of the head. Now this is not a bash on the Triumph but looser machine specs will allow spent gases to pass the rings contaminating the oil hence darker. Its not a single thing but several added up. Filters don't take color out of the oil. I will also venture to say that the used oil is not used up. Color is a way to tell what going on but it a tiny clue. Odor and feel can also tell a story but its not the only part.
One other question is the Triumph fuel injected?
One other question is the Triumph fuel injected?
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Coming from Air cooled big inch V twin. Currently running 117ci Ultra. I never thought of it but yes, mine is darker than my water cooled Night Rod. Just as dark as the oil coming out of my diesel engine. It only makes sense to me. Hotter oil would cause more color changes in the oil. Haven't changed my ultra since adding head cooling fans and oil cooler fans. but since adding them it hasn't kick in to its engine saving cycle of cutting off one cylinder to help reduce the motor temps. I run Amsoil and there filters on both of mine 5k changes. If you are worried have the Triumph's oil analyzed. You can get the kits from your Amsoil dealer "Oil Analyzers" is the company that Amsoil deals with. or most heavy equipment dealers can get one for you to send off also. To see if there are any out of the norm properties in there, also they can tell if the oil is still in spec for protection of the motor.
Smkblwr
Smkblwr
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I reckon its the exhaust pipe blocked with moon dust.
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It hold 4qts and looks as black as night through the site glass from the 1st moment after the change, there is no stick and there is a gear directly under the cap (also requires a transmission funnel from the 70's to fill it as the cap is buried) so getting a "Stick" etc in there is not happening. I did notice "N" was getting hard to find and changing gears getting sticky about 500 miles before changing so I am going to switch from 5000-5400 miles like I do on my Revo bike to 4600. I do spend more times at 6-7k on this bike that redlines at 9k unlike my other bike that I am usually 4-6k so it it rode "Harder" Thanks for the info.
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It doesn't take much soot to make fresh oil turn black. Take couple of ounces of fresh oil and drip a few drops of used oil in and stir. When you change oil make sure the oil is as hot as possible. Let it drain to get as much of the old oil out (hours) before refilling. If you are really concerned, do a flush... change oil, then 50 miles later, change again. It works but is unnecessary, wasteful and expensive.
Looser tolerances allow blow back.
High temperature alone can turn oil black. Try frying some up on the stove sometime. Vegetable oil will cook your chicken at 375F all day long. But on your water cooled VRod those silly fans kick on at 212 I believe. So what temp is the oil running on your air cooled. Get a gauge and find out.
To get maximum performance out of the VRod engine and still meet EPA standards, Harley went water cooled. Look at the difference in emissions as you progress up the ladder of engines from lawnmower up through car and truck to jet engines.
Don't worry. Be Happy. It's just one of those thangs.
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