[James64]

Does anyone know how to check if the "bumper rail is level?"

The Spark owners manual says that if you are going to check the oil level when the Spark is out of the water, that you have to make sure the bumper rail is level. I took a picture of my Spark while it was on the water, and none of the bumper rail was truly level. The side of the ski goes, up, down, more down, up, up, down and then around. If the "bumper rail" goes from yellow (in my case, where all the screws are visible) to black to yellow, then the most level section is the short yellow section in the back.

Any ideas?

 

[peeler01]

I just check my oil by eyeballing the trailer to see if it's level. I suppose if you really wanted to make it perfectly level, you could put a bubble level on the trailer tongue.
Honestly, if the trailer isn't at a huge angle, it shouldn't make a big difference in the reading. I've checked mine on the water and on the trailer and the reading was super close either way.
Just remember to run it for 30 seconds and let it sit for 30 seconds before checking it.

 

[Patrick]

Measure it on the metal plates on the hull/heat exchanger.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[James64]

Yes I agree. Also, I thought about it for awhile and I figure that if the hull is level, I should be good and that's easy enough to check. Thanks!

 

[James64]

I'm still finding the oil check to be a challenge.

I figured that if my hull is level, then the engine oil level should be level. I'm all set with that. But, after I ran started and ran the engine for 90 seconds, waited 30 seconds and checked the oil in the driveway, it read over 1/2 inch under the minimum. I called the dealer that I bought the Spark from. They said to go out on the water and run it for at least 10 minutes (they said that if it was really low, an warning indicator would go off). So, I went out on the water. The oil rose to just under the minimum mark. I added 4 ounces. Then it was just over the minimum mark.

Two days later, I went out on the Bay again. I ran it for more than 10 minutes and checked the oil. It was back down just under the minimum mark again. I put 4 more ounces in. I ran the engine and checked it again. It was just over the minimum line. The oil is clean and now I only have 10 hours on the ski. Anyone have any ideas on the oil level? Maybe the dealer didn't put enough oil in it. I'd hate to think that's its burning that much oil.

Also, when is everyone doing their first oil change? The manual says 50 hours. My local dealer (who wanted me to pay full sticker price for everything and so I didn't buy it there) says to change it at 10 hours.

 

[peeler01]

Also, when is everyone doing their first oil change? The manual says 50 hours. My local dealer (who wanted me to pay full sticker price for everything and so I didn't buy it there) says to change it at 10 hours.

The 2015 Spark Operator Guide indicates on page 77 that the oil should be changed every 100 hours or 1 year. That's when my oil is getting changed. I'm just shy of 14 hours and simply check the level after a ride.

 

[James64]

Well, I'm not going crazy. I have an oil leak! :crying: Lovely, 3 weeks, 10 hours and an oil leak. If I attached the picture correctly, you can see the oil in the bottom of the Spark. I'll be calling my dealer in the morning.

I wonder if anyone has had to deal with this critical scenario with a brand new ski? Options?

 

[peeler01]

Oh my! That really sucks! Let's hope it's an easy fix.

 

[James64]

The dealership found the problem. My brand new Spark has a bad rear output shaft seal. They ordered the parts. I had my ski for 3 weeks, and now I'll be without it for at least 2. Bummer.