Explain this to me

[Caddoview]

Ok, this weekend I did my 4K oil change along with checking my final drive level. As I was unscrewing the inspection bolt, oil began to pour out. I tightened it back and was trying to determine how there could be such an over level of fluid. Then I remembered my 600 mile service and inspection. I let the dealer do it and as I was waiting at the parts counter the service manager came out and told me that the price was going to be a little more than he quoted because they had to use a second bottle in the final drive. I was in a hurry and it just didn't register. I took the bottle and paid the tab and left. I looked in the shop and found the half full 8 oz bottle. I called the dealer the next day and had the new service manager look the ticket up, sure enough I was charged for two 8 oz bottles. When I asked how they used two bottles when the capacity was just about seven ounces, he had no answers. I made them supply me with another bottle so I could drain and change. I drained just over 10 oz. first, how in the world did they get it in? Pulling the breather is all I can come up with. Second, will having run it over filled damage any of the seals or anything else?

 

[AlsoRan]

Sounds like the dealer that did my 600 mile service. I think they were guessing on what to do. I know on my bike they overfilled the engine oil and when I went to drain some out, noticed they used the wrong washers on the drain bolts (they used the final drive washers). So I looked at the invoice and they used some strange final drive oil as well.

I did not trust it at that point so ended up just re-doing the whole thing...correct oil, amounts, washers everything. Also the spokes since they didn't touch them like they said.

 

[Koinz]

will having run it over filled damage any of the seals or anything else?

I can see that if we didn't have a breather, any excess pressure from the oil expansion when it gets warm, might push it's way passed the seals, but otherwise I can't think of any other damage that overfilling a final drive can do. Because the oil is so thick, I like to put a little more in or spin the rear wheel while I'm filling to make sure it's getting in there.

 

[Siseneg]

Service invoice I received back showed "Lubed and Adjusted Chain" ... I was told that it was just a standard form, but it was still cute.

 

[klunsford]

I guess they could have put a wench on the shaft and S-T-R-E-T-C-H-E-D it a bit... ::025:: That is why I have always done my own changes... If you read the book, you probably know more than the guy doing it at the dealer... Some just what they always do....

 

[~TABASCO~]

I always check the oil in customers Teneres... Ive had several that where 1-2 qt low... and two others that where almost full.... The full ones had an air box full of oil too... Some of these shops JUST DONT CARE, on top of that the Tenere is a little tricky and not like most bikes where you fill it to the line and drive off...........

FYI...... if you have a shop change your oil, check it before you leave.... and check it again after your first ride..... Its WORTH it.....

 

[SpaceTraveler]

Well, it seams a lot of people like to complain about their dealer... and when the service is not good, I can understand.

But there is good dealer and I have one. I am very happy with the delivery and first service. So far everything is good with them!

Just wanted to share a positive story.

ho.... and I LOVE the bike ::013::

 

[Caddoview]

Yes, I know there are some great dealers out there and, in the past my dealer had been great. Or rather, the tech I like is great, he wasn't working the day I took it in.

 

[phplemel]

Well, it seams a lot of people like to complain about their dealer... and when the service is not good, I can understand.

But there is good dealer and I have one. I am very happy with the delivery and first service. So far everything is good with them!

Just wanted to share a positive story.

ho.... and I LOVE the bike ::013::

::026:: I feel your pain and try to always do my own work. But we here in Whitehorse have an awesome dealer.
Service Manager has S10, owner has S10 & sales manager rides one whenever he can. They know the bikes and care about customer service . Don't be afraid to use them ( Yukon Yamaha) when you are riding the Alaska Hwy, or not,but stop in anyways to say hello

 

[markjenn]

Final drive oil often comes in squeeze bottles, and it is pretty easy to overfill the final drive, then pop the fill bolt in before it can run out. Someone would have to think that getting it as full as possible was desirable which shows very little experience, training, or willingness to consult the shop manual, but the mechanics - I use the word loosely - who do things like oil changes are often pretty low on the totem pole at a dealership. This sort of work doesn't attract the sharpest knives in the drawer.

As customers, we can do our part by continuing to frequent dealers who do quality work and not grouse too much if the labor charges seem high - it takes a lot of coin to pay a good mechanic a decent wage that can support a family, provide health insurance, etc. If we frequent the cheaper shops that pay Jiffy Lube wages, we're going to get Jiffy Lube work quality.

I doubt it caused any harm. As long as those gears back there are seeing oil, whether a little or a lot, they're generally happy.

- Mark

 

[Siseneg]

Well, it seams a lot of people like to complain about their dealer... and when the service is not good, I can understand.

But there is good dealer and I have one. I am very happy with the delivery and first service. So far everything is good with them!

I had a dealer in Longmont, CO that I can't speak highly enough about. I owned Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda motorcycles thru them and every single service was just perfect. Tune up on the GSXR made an astounding difference (they bragged about it ahead of time). I had two KLRs on a trailer and it flipped, nearly totaling both bikes. They worked with me and the insurance companies to make it all right and there was nothing that wasn't handled first rate. Having purchased 4 bikes from them I was (and still am) remembered when I walk in (which is only twice a year now days). A good dealer is gold!