how to drain oil - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

01_srx · 11-24-2007, 08:15 AM

hey guys, i need help draining the oil so i can put in a fresh batch. i have a 2001 srx 700 and was hoping someone could tell me how to do this, thanks.

i know it says to put 2 stroke in, but was just wondering whats the difference between the 2 stroke and 4 stroke? thanks.

SnowRida · 11-24-2007, 08:20 AM

2 stroke is a oil made to mix with the gas. 4 stroke oil is for the crank case of your 4 stroke engine which you don't have. Use 2 stroke oil and fill the oil container under the hood. If it's the oil in the container you want to change, you might have to sifen(sp) it out to be able to put fresh 2 stroke oil in,or drain from the bottom by removing the hose.
This might be tight to get into.

01_srx · 11-24-2007, 09:41 AM

thanks for the reply, i will attempt to go under and drain from there...will i spot the plug or is it difficult to find.

Jaded · 11-24-2007, 12:45 PM

What are you draining the oil from?

I'm not a Gearhead but I've never drained my 2 stroke oil reservoir. Don't think there's a need to unless for some reason it becomes contaminated. I've changed my chain case oil, which I believe you should do every season but never the oil reservoir. Your 2 stroke oil gets burnt off with the fuel as you ride. All you should need to do is top up your 2 stroke reservoir. Correct me if I'm wrong!
Maybe you should get some help with this.
This is nothing like changing your car oil. The only drain plug that I know of will be for the chain case. You have to use the correct oil to re-fill that too. Not 2 stroke or 4 stroke oil!
May I suggest that you get a service manual for your particular sled. Check with your local dealer or go online and google your sled type followed by the word "manual" and you'll find these are a huge help for figuring things out.

BC_Dan · 11-24-2007, 01:38 PM

Hmm.. for not being a gearhead, Jaded gives some pretty good advise!

The oil reservoir sends oil to the oil injectors. If you are changing oil types, I would run it down until it's pretty low and take a suction gun to the rest. Then refill with the 2-stroke oil of your choice. Most 2-stroke oils will mix with other 2-stroke oils, unless the type you are changing to suggests removal of the old oil, I wouldn't bother. Blue Marble is one that suggests you remove as much of the old oil as possible. Going from Polaris Blue to Polaris Gold is as simple as putting in the Polaris Gold. Those two oils will mix in any quantity just fine. Most sled manufacturer branded oils will do the same.

If you are working on the chaincase and need to drain the oil from that, I always like to either suck the old oil out with a suction and then take the chaincase cover off. That way you can inspect the gears and clean out any debris or metal filings. There will be many small particles in there, which is normal. Metal chunks are not normal, if you find those, look really hard to find where they came from. Put the chaincase back on and refill with the recommended oil. There are many different oils that can go in the chaincase and all of them seem to do a good job in lubrication. But chaincase oil is designed for the chaincase, that may be what you want to use.

TUGHILLYAMMI · 11-24-2007, 04:30 PM

Well for not being a "gearhead" and owning a 2001 SRX 700 I can say i have no clue where and if there is a drain plug. I can say that i have no clue why you'd want to drain this unless there was "contaminants" in the reservoir like someone stated. Id go to your local Yammi dealer and get a service or clymers manual and go from there. Get some 2S yamalube or what you prefer to run. However I do know guys who have sank their sleds with the reservoirs still full of oil and water just mixed the first few tanks threw there fuel tanks 50:1 and ran like it was never there until it cleaned out and changed the plugs. Good luck! If you must get it out i might get some fuel like and tape it to a shop vac and get r dun that way. (Seriously this works ive done it) -- to gas tanks.

BC_Dan · 11-24-2007, 06:13 PM

Please, please, please do NOT use a shop vac to suck gasoline!! Shop vac motors are not "intrinsically safe" and a spark from the brushes or winding will explode the gas vapors, causing MEGA damage. You may have done it once, and got away with it, but there have been injuries and fatalities because of this! Pound for pound, gasoline has more BTU energy than dynamite! And in it's vapor state, is VERY explosive!

Ok, getting off my fireguy soap box now

stay safe out there!

kccats · 11-24-2007, 06:59 PM

If you have left ( or lost) the oil cap off and snow or water or bugs got in it then you would want to likly remove the tank and drain the oil and clean the tank before putting it back. Other wise ask the guy you got it from what he used and top it off! Oh and welcome to the snow show!! Enjoy.

Jaded · 11-24-2007, 07:24 PM

Good advice on the vacuum. BC_Dan, are you a Firefighter? If so, where?

BC_Dan · 11-24-2007, 08:10 PM

I work for a fire dept in Southern Oregon (Klamath Falls) going on 22 years. the BC in my s/n stands for Battalion Chief

Jaded · 11-24-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC_Dan

I work for a fire dept in Southern Oregon (Klamath Falls) going on 22 years. the BC in my s/n stands for Battalion Chief

Nice!

I'm a Firefighter soon to be Captain with the Kelowna Dept. Seventeen years in and full time captain next month. Lookin forward to that 25% pay increase!

We have Platoon Captains instead of Battalion Chiefs. Should be there in about another 5 years.
Cheers

(Sorry guys....this isn't really Snowmobile related!)

01_srx · 11-25-2007, 07:20 AM

hey guys, thanks for the help. the reason i need to drain the oil is because i was away for the week and asked my father to buy some oil and top it off for me so when i get back i can leave right away with the sled. well he bought the wrong oil (4 stroke oil) which is why i had to drain it. I used my shop vac and a flexible plastic tube to suck all the oil out. needless to say it was a very dirty/greasy job. got it mostly out, and refilled with 2 stroke synthetic hp ijenctor from amsoil. does anyone else sled produce a lot of smoke when the engine is idling (not black smoke). i have a ton of exhaust smoke coming out of each side of the sled, just wondering if its normal or im the only one, thanks.

Jaded · 11-25-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01_srx

hey guys, thanks for the help. the reason i need to drain the oil is because i was away for the week and asked my father to buy some oil and top it off for me so when i get back i can leave right away with the sled. well he bought the wrong oil (4 stroke oil) which is why i had to drain it. I used my shop vac and a flexible plastic tube to suck all the oil out. needless to say it was a very dirty/greasy job. got it mostly out, and refilled with 2 stroke synthetic hp ijenctor from amsoil. does anyone else sled produce a lot of smoke when the engine is idling (not black smoke). i have a ton of exhaust smoke coming out of each side of the sled, just wondering if its normal or im the only one, thanks.

That explains it! Two and four don't mix well!
I think most sleds smoke a fair bit, usually light blue-ish. Especially when idling and warming up. If you're burning off some of the 4 stroke oil I believe it may smoke a bit more than normal too. If you can, get the track up in the air, on a stand not holding it up by hand, warm it up and run the RPMs up a bit to get it to operating temp and see how the smoke situation is then. Usually if they've been sitting for awhile they smoke a bit more too. Again "Gearheads" correct me if I'm wrong!

TUGHILLYAMMI · 11-26-2007, 10:11 PM

HAHA, well the shop vac, duct tape, and zipp ties winn again. I really don't see it being a danger sucking oil being a whole lot less flamable than gasoline. Oh by the way I am and unpaid professional firefighter as well. Yes volunteer, I understand the risks but sometimes I geuss we all get stupid to cut some corners. Oh and very cool the both of you have been in the service of FF for so many years. I respect that no sarcasm from me. My father has almost 40 years in the fire service. East Avon Volunteer Fire Department

Jaded · 11-26-2007, 11:27 PM

Good on ya for volunteering. Did it myself for 6 years and found out that was what I wanted to do for a career. Same temp inside whether you're gettin volunteer or professional wages

Enjoy your winter!

BC_Dan · 11-27-2007, 12:43 PM

Oil and a vac would be no problem, oil doesn't have much for vapor pressure and would have to be heated to make an ignitable mixture. But gawd, what a mess in the hose! I use a suction gun for that kind of thing, it's about the size of a grease gun with a small hose on it. Works awesome on the chaincase or in this case, the oil reservoir.

TUGHILLYAMMI · 11-27-2007, 07:01 PM

Ok well I will finish the story I guess. I usually borrow my buddies shop vac for this deal. But sshhh he doesn't need to know what im using it for.
hahaha

Jaded · 11-27-2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUGHILLYAMMI

Ok well I will finish the story I guess. I usually borrow my buddies shop vac for this deal. But sshhh he doesn't need to know what im using it for.
hahaha

If he's a true friend he won't care....right?

But you better think twice before you let him take your wife bowling

TUGHILLYAMMI · 11-28-2007, 10:22 PM

HAHAHAHAHAHA. I don't think he could handle her anyhow. Let alone afford her.