Question About Oil Change.

Thanks for taking this up.
I don't consider it any sort of privileged information to be in possession of the way that it's been amended?
Surely they should actually be thanking you if anything?

 

I’m sure that updating the owners and service manuals was just overlooked - someone screwed up.
I suspect Tritun will be updated and also the online owners manual which owners can then download. This “reactive” solution is clearly insufficient and I feel that a more proactive approach is needed.
Take an owner who decides to change his oil, follows the handbook instructions and screws up. How would he know that there is an updated version online and the oil change procedure is wrongin his OEM handbook??
This whole debacle has left me deeply unimpressed with Triumph if I’m honest!!!

 

Hello everyone, I hope it's ok if I use this thread for my problem too.

I'm a owner of a Speed triple rs build in 2020. I bought it back in october 2024. I recently made the first oilchange on the speedy, since I owned it. I made the change as I'm used to it from my prior bikes (empty old oil, change old filter to a preloaded new one, filled in the new oil). The oilpressure light went off in between 2 seconds after the start. After a few seconds I gave it 2 gently revs to 2000 or 3000. After a few seconds a loud chain rattling sound startet on the right inside of the engine. I was shocked and shut down the motor.
After a bit of googling I found this. Until this moment, I didn't know there was a newer procedure for the oilchange.

I guess I got a problem with the chaintensioner. Engine runs fine, oilpressure light is off, but the chainrattling is very loud. Does someone know about a solution for this problem?

Thanks for your help. Greetings from Switzerland triple_bullet

 

The new procedure for changing the oil and filter is to prevent possible air locks in the lubrication system although I don't think it was ever made official as it was never changed in the Owners Handbook. As long as the oil pressure light goes out shortly after starting (as yours did) then all should be well. The cam chain tensioner is hydraulic and relies on oil pressure to work correctly but it should only rattle briefly, if at all. If the rattle persists then the tensioner needs to be checked. What is the mileage (kilometres in your case)? If the valve clearance check has been done then the tensioner may have been removed if new shims were required and there is a procedure to be followed when replacing it.

 

I have changed the oil on mine using the normal method and the new one by filling the filter with oil before fitting. Never had an issue with either method. I would do as suggested and remove the cam chain tension to see what is going on.

 

I have also used both methods for an oil change without any issues.

 

Hello guys, thx for replying.
Bike has nearly 17000km down (around 10'500m). In the ownersmanual new procedure was never changed.
The oillight went off nearly instantly after starting. Chainrattling startet some seconds later and persisted. Chainrattling is like the chain is scratching the housing. Engine didn't sound like timing was off. Hopefully timing is still correct. At the moment, I guess there is (or was) a big air lock at the chaintensioner.
Next step is to remove the fueltank and a sparkplug to look for the pistons. Removing sideplate to see, how loose the chain is.

I really hope that the vlaves do/did not touch the piston. Otherwise I can cancel my Motorcycle-holidays at the black forest in may.

Oilchange was actually only for the "good feeling". Got the bike last october and I "just wanted" to change the oil cause the bike sat for araound 6 months on the outside (but protected from rain and sun) at the dealer and last oilchange was 1 year ago.

Anyway, when I know more, I'll inform you.
Greetings triple bullet

 

It's unlikely that any damage has been caused as the camchain is still under spring tension until fully tensioned by the oil pressure. If you choose to remove the tensioner for inspection I've attached pages from the Service Manual outlining the procedure.

 

Another page that might be of interest. When full oil pressure has been reached, oil is released to spray through the tensioner blade to lube the camchain. Until this happens, this would account for the noise.

 

I'm assuming the tensioner on the ST is the same as on the classic twins and indeed all the other hydraulic tensioners I've ever come across.
If it was me I'd remove and refit the chain tensioner.
Hydraulic tensioners have a spring assisted ratchet system which stops it fully retracting when the engine isn't running. When you remove the tensioner it will extend itself and lock in the fully out position which means you cannot refit it without following the reset procedure which temporarily locks it fully in. Once refitted, turning the engine over manually releases it and the spring/ratchet setup comes into play. Starting the engine will then apply further pressure from the oil/hydraulic function.
I had a slightly noisy tensioner on my second Street Scrambler. I removed it, couldn't see anything wrong, reset and refitted it and the noise was gone! Go figure.
My first Street Scrambler ALWAYS rattled for a couple of seconds after a cold start, something the second one and my current 1200 never did/do.


Edit.......personally I don't buy the air lock theory. I always prefill a new filter on any vehicle I work on as a matter of good practice but that's just to limit the delay in pressure build up on restart. Starting the engine after an oil and filter change is not the same as starting a rebuilt engine for the first time IMO.