Scottoiler

[Hedgetrimmer]

Never used one before, but the new bike has one. Let the reservoir run out, so have been trying to re-prime it. Got it so oil actually dripped out of the feed to the chain whilst squeezing the bottle, so I know that side isn't blocked, and no more air bubbles coming from the reservoir, but no evidence of it oiling by itself. Blocked vacuum tube?

I've turned it up to max, and will check it like that tomorrow, so fingers crossed, any thoughts from those who have them?

[mtread]

Unlikely if it's already run out once. System works through gravity, but valve only opens when vacuum is running ..... or you turn the knob to prime. When refilling you shouldn't need to squeeze the bottle to push the oil through to the sprocket. Just fill, turn the knob to prime and let it (slowly) run down the tube, keep topping up. Then when it reaches the sprocket turn off prime and back to 'normal'. Prime is full lock clockwise.
Have you checked there is oil in the tube all the way down? Might just have an air bubble en route.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Cheers mtread. I went on the Scottoiler site to find out how to prime it, and they said to connect the bottle with adjuster set to prime, and squeeze until no more air bubbles in tube. I did this, as said, until oil actually dripped from the feed to the chain. Set it back to the previous setting (I know it was originally working on that) and took it for a spin. Got back, and end of feed tube was dry, no sign of fresh oil on chain. So I repeated the process, and still no sign. I know it only delivers at about 2 drips per minute, but I should have seen some evidence of it oiling? I did about 10 miles.

[mtread]

Shouldn't need to take the bike out to check. Just with the engine running and stationary is a better way to check if the drips are hitting the sprocket.
On prime it should just flow through without the engine running. That would be a good test as to whether it's vacuum related or something else.
Have you checked the breather tube out of the top is clear? It need that to replace the air in the unit in order to let the oil flow down

[Hedgetrimmer]

Ok, I'll check the breather pipe and try running it on prime for a few minutes. 

[lew600fazer]

I have just replaced the nozzle assembly on my v system, it had been wrongly fitted before by a dealer and the block had a hole rubbed in it by the chain.
Just turned knob to prime left it like that for 5 minutes or more put it back to approximately were it was before and is lubbing fine if not a bit much so slowly tweaking it back. A full top up will last me about 650/700 miles before refilling.
A great system once you get the feed right.

[mtread]

A great system once you get the feed right.

   
Just don't let it run out .....

[Hedgetrimmer]

On prime it should just flow through without the engine running. That would be a good test as to whether it's vacuum related or something else.
Have you checked the breather tube out of the top is clear? It need that to replace the air in the unit in order to let the oil flow down

Ok, I removed the breather tube, and can blow through it, so that's clear. I have had it set to prime for a few minutes now, and nothing coming out. All the pipes look in good condition, no kinks, holes or anything else that I can see. And as said, I know it was working before I ran the system dry 

But when you fit a new one, that's empty to start with, then you prime it, and all should be ok. So what's different here?

[stevierst]

Easiest way of checking the vacuum is opening the valve is to watch the main body of the Scottoiler when the engine starts. Weather it's on prime, or any numbers, you should see the top yellow cup inside the clear plastic housing rise up, and that's the valve open.

That's the mechanical part done. The rest is the physics of fluid flow and capilliary action. If the nozzle at the sprocket is clear, and the tube primed full of fluid with a clear primer end, it 'should' work!

Patience is the name of the game with scottoilers! They're a pain to set up, but you tend to forget about them once fitted correctly!

[PieEater]

Never got on with them myself and always had them removed from the bikes I've bought with them fitted. No doubt that freshly installed and correctly set up they work well, but the one's that I've come across have been neglected to the point that they no longer work and it's more trouble than its worth to try to get them working again (confirmed by workshop mechanic).

I prefer to clean and lubricate my chain personally on a regular basis, it gives me the opportunity to check on chain slack, tyre condition etc.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Easiest way of checking the vacuum is opening the valve is to watch the main body of the Scottoiler when the engine starts. Weather it's on prime, or any numbers, you should see the top yellow cup inside the clear plastic housing rise up, and that's the valve open.

That's the mechanical part done. The rest is the physics of fluid flow and capilliary action. If the nozzle at the sprocket is clear, and the tube primed full of fluid with a clear primer end, it 'should' work!

Patience is the name of the game with scottoilers! They're a pain to set up, but you tend to forget about them once fitted correctly!

What I don't get stevie, is that it obviously was set up correctly, because when I got the bike it was working. Once you've got it primed, what is there to set up?! The only thing you can adjust is the flow rate, from min. to max. and prime. I'll see if I can see the valve lifting on start up later. But if that's working, as you suggest, I can't really see what can go wrong with it in the space of a few days.

PieEater, despite me saying I've never had one before, actually, I did once. But that one delivered far too much oil, no matter what setting I had it on, so like you, I ripped it out. But I've been effectively told that if you can't get on with a Scottoiler, there's something wrong with you ( ), so I'm determined to try to get it working again - ESPECIALLY AS IT BLOODY WELL WAS WORKING UNTIL I RAN IT DRY!!    (lol).

[midden]

Are you using proper Scott oil or chainsaw oil? I refilled with B&q own which was too sticky, had same problems as you. Cleaned system out and replaced with PRO performance biodegradable PR0003  from B&q which is perfect

[Hedgetrimmer]

Just normal Scottoil, which was what was originally in it.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Left it set to prime overnight. Nothing. Started it today, saw valve in reservoir move, oil now feeding 

[stevierst]

Winner! Now it just needs adjusting to suit your lubing requirements. :P

[mtread]

........ so don't let it run out again :-)