First oil change

[T-boss 410]

Just finished up. Glad I did, too. There was a tiny amount of residue in the screen, but basically it was very clean. However, the oil was black, which kinda surprised me since the UTV only has 14.6 hours on it. I hope it's not a bad sign. This was a demonstrator model, so maybe that's why it looked so dark? I don't know what quality of oil is used by the manufacturer, either. 

[Travis]

Probably Warren oil company, they produce and Brand tons of "Brands" for companies, such as SuperTech at Walmart. I know Citgo does a few also, Citgo manufacturers K-Tech for kawasaki engines.

I don't think being a demonstrator model will have affect on oil color, as 14.6 hours is 14.6 hours.

 usually oil is just barely a darker, amber color.

 

 

[T-boss 410]

Is it a quality oil? I wouldn't expect it to be so dark. I also don't understand why the engine manufacturer (Linhai) doesn't use a filter instead of the spring and screen. 

Took a 1/2 inch breaker bar and a 6 point socket to loosen it up. 

[Travis]

It's a pretty good oil, that's what i used in my Mule for years, but after i rebuilt it i use either. KTech or Valvoline.

Sent from my LML212VL using Tapatalk

[T-boss 410]

I used Valvoline 10W40 for wet clutches. 

Does your Mule use a filter? Just curious about why the engine manufacturer used a screen with a spring. I guess I don't know how it works. I would like to understand how it functions to filter the oil. 

[Travis]

Mine uses a camshaft driven pump with a spin on filter.
Not sure why they would use a screen for the filter... My engine does have a screen in the bottom of the case where the pick up hole for the oil pump is.

Sent from my LML212VL using Tapatalk

[T-boss 410]

This one has a spring with a screen, which comes out when you drop the drain plug. I see that there are other engines that use this type of filtration, such as some Honda engines. But my twin cylinder Briggs and Stratton engine uses a filter. Maybe it has something to do with the wet clutch? As long as it performs its job correctly, I can live with it. I just would think that a canister filter would do a better job. 

[Joe Breaux]

On 11/21/2020 at 9:02 PM, T-boss 410 said:

Is it a quality oil? I wouldn't expect it to be so dark. I also don't understand why the engine manufacturer (Linhai) doesn't use a filter instead of the spring and screen. 

Took a 1/2 inch breaker bar and a 6 point socket to loosen it up. 

probably because chinese companies dont expect their engines to last more than one oil change? ..... if the oil was that black that fast, it may be clutch disc material .. I change my 4 Hondas once a year, its never black in any of them and we ride every weekend . and all have wet clutches 

[T-boss 410]

Lol, you're kinda hard on those poor Chinese folks. They are just trying to make a living 😉

[Joe Breaux]

lol  yeah, but its only because THEY were real hard on my wallet replacing all their junk parts just to get mine even close  to its FIRST OIL CHANGE .. They just dont seem to care that they have such a poor reputation , and refuse to back their warrenty. . I guess they just figure theres another sucker born every minute.. ................One thing is for certain... the bad taste of poor quality surely outweighs that sweet scent of a lower upfront price ..

[Travis]

2 hours ago, Joe Breaux said:

lol  yeah, but its only because THEY were real hard on my wallet replacing all their junk parts just to get mine even close  to its FIRST OIL CHANGE .. They just dont seem to care that they have such a poor reputation , and refuse to back their warrenty. . I guess they just figure theres another sucker born every minute.. ................One thing is for certain... the bad taste of poor quality surely outweighs that sweet scent of a lower upfront price ..

Seems anymore, Besides American made, Japanese is equipment is the way to go, Kubota, Kawasaki, Honda etc. granted they have factories in china, but are built to industry standards.

 

[Joe Breaux]

Hondas are GREAT machines.. THE BEST in my opinion.  We have 4 hondas.. they are practically indestructible.. 2 are 10 yrs old, 1 is 5yrs and the other is 3 years.. the oldest one  runs just like the newest one.. not one of them has ever had a major issue.. oil changes, spark plugs and brake pads / tires is it. And the grandkids beat them to death. and here in the swamp, they take a beating.   I am told that Kubotas are that way too, but ride hard and are very loud.  I will be shocked if this HISUN lasts anywhere near that.. its not 3 yet , only 450 miles and has been in shop 6 times already 

[Mackc]

On 11/21/2020 at 3:54 PM, T-boss 410 said:

Just finished up. Glad I did, too. There was a tiny amount of residue in the screen, but basically it was very clean. However, the oil was black, which kinda surprised me since the UTV only has 14.6 hours on it. I hope it's not a bad sign. This was a demonstrator model, so maybe that's why it looked so dark? I don't know what quality of oil is used by the manufacturer, either. 

If an engine don't have an oil filter the carbon particles don't get removed from the oil, a screen only catches some of the junk particles that are heavy enough to fall to bottom and not get picked up by the pump, 

[T-boss 410]

I thought that was an issue. But there seems to be at least a few manufacturers who have designed this type of system. I believe I saw a Honda on the list while I was doing a search. 

I wonder if there is a way to retrofit a filter to the engine?

[Travis]

Probably not without some precision drilling.

[T-boss 410]

Well, that leaves me out of the picture.