How to drill oil tank for vent

[Oregonsledder]

Oregon:

Not being a wise-acre here, but could you post your future findings if you see that you use more oil with your vent, I think that would be helpful for all. I noticed on the Maine guys youtube video that the engine compartment was dirty - at least compared to what I want my to look like. Based on your post of having a vent and not seeing a higher use in oil, and seeing a dirty engine compartment in that vid (that may have contributed to a clogged cap vent), I'm not convinced there is a OEM cap issue.

I plan on posting my oil consumption results. I Have a 10 ride average oil ratio after turning up my oil pump, and when I get another 10 ride average, post tank vent, I will compare the results. As stated above, so far I haven't seen a noticeable change, but it's only 2 rides.

 

[Oregonsledder]

Have a sled in my shop today, an 05 Polaris 800. The oil cap has apparently been laid top down on the pipe or can while the owner added oil. The air opening is melted shut. It looks like this cap has had no vent for some time, I tried to get air through it, and it is closed. The sled has 3700 miles on it. Just a little interesting bit of info to add to the discussion.

 

[Merlin]

Have a sled in my shop today, an 05 Polaris 800. The oil cap has apparently been laid top down on the pipe or can while the owner added oil. The air opening is melted shut. It looks like this cap has had no vent for some time, I tried to get air through it, and it is closed. The sled has 3700 miles on it. Just a little interesting bit of info to add to the discussion.

Does the machine in question have a sleeve installed in the neck of the reservoir?

FWIW, the cap on my '05 Edge leaked like a sieve so on that particular unit a completely plugged vent would've had no effect on oil consumption. It was getting plenty of air through the poorly sealing cap.

 

[Oregonsledder]

Merlin no it does not have the sleeve, but the cap fits better than most of that era. Many had oily tanks due to a poor fit and distortion of the neck, but this one seems to fit pretty snug. It must be leaking some though.

I posted this because I feel that this cap issue is over blown, for the most part. The Doo cap IMHO is a "solution looking for a problem". If it turns out my tank vent increases oil consumption I will change my mind, but that hasn't happened yet.

 

[Merlin]

The Doo cap IMHO is a "solution looking for a problem". If it turns out my tank vent increases oil consumption I will change my mind, but that hasn't happened yet.

I agree that the cap issue has become somewhat overblown.

I also believe that not all machines have an issue with venting.

That said, there have been enough recent posts from forum members with empirical data on oil consumption rates between the OEM cap & various upgraded cap / venting designs that I won't simply discount the whole theory.

IMO, the flow rate of oil out of the tank is so low that the effects of inadequate venting is offset by variables such as a poor seal between the reservoir & cap, intermittently venting OEM caps, thermal variations under the hood, etc.

 

[Oregonsledder]

I agree that the cap issue has become somewhat overblown.

I also believe that not all machines have an issue with venting.

I believe VERY few have had an oil starvation issue if any due to the cap venting. I see the results in my shop when an engine is not oiling. It burns them down quickly. Think of the number of PRO's running out there for the past 4 years with this OEM cap. If there was an oil starvation issue it would be understood clearly. It wouldn't take this level of kitchen experimentation or "whoosh" comments to make it a real issue.

 

[diamonddave]

Merlin no it does not have the sleeve, but the cap fits better than most of that era. Many had oily tanks due to a poor fit and distortion of the neck, but this one seems to fit pretty snug. It must be leaking some though.

I posted this because I feel that this cap issue is over blown, for the most part. The Doo cap IMHO is a "solution looking for a problem". If it turns out my tank vent increases oil consumption I will change my mind, but that hasn't happened yet.

I have $20 that says you will NOT see increased oil use with the addition of a tank vent.

 

[Oregonsledder]

I have $20 that says you will NOT see increased oil use with the addition of a tank vent.

DD, you can do what ever you want with your $20.00, but I can assure you that if I see anything that looks like an increase in oil consumption due to my added tank vent I will say so. You on the other hand will choke on the sand that your head is stuck in. Try just for once to think out side of the box.

 

[diamonddave]

LOL.....offended still I see. You have been in turmoil ever since more people noticed what I noticed in 2010 and began posting about more as of late. I would bet you have more posts than anyone about oil cap vents condemning the findings. Talk about heads in the sand.

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216099


Notice the date. I have been modifying Polaris vents for many since this which was April 2010. The only people that report higher oil usage are extreme riders.

 

[Oregonsledder]

Okay Dave, one more time I will say what I have said many times:
This time I will type slower and use bold type so maybe it will sink in this time.
If I see an increase in oil consumption due to adding a tank vent I will change my mind about the OEM cap.
LOL

 

[JLeosnow]

X2 on the greased drill bit. Worked perfect for me!

-John