Modern Buddy

So I just did an oil change on my scooter; first one myself. After reading all the threads about oil changes, oil filters and torque vs. no torque, I went ahead and bought a torque wrench.

Well, the position of the oil filter on the 150's makes it impossible to get a torque wrench on it! There is not enough space between the filter and the frame to fit a ratchet and socket.

Has anyone come up with a solution? I basically just tightened the filter with a combination wrench to what I think is best. I'm hoping the location on the oil cooler instead of the engine itself will have less vibration than the 125's but, who knows?

I've done all my own oil changes and never had a problem. I am just short of 8000 miles on my Buddy now. I used to put a light glaze of motor oil on the o-ring until I heard POC Phil recommend putting the filter on dry. My last three or four changes have been done dry. I have noticed it takes more effort to remove (break free) the filter when put on dry vs using a glaze of oil. I think that means it is less likely to vibrate off.

Torque wrench, we don't need no stinking torque wrench! I tighten the filter as much as I can by hand then use a socket wrench to give it about another half turn, maybe a little more (I defer to the mechanical guru's on this). Also, I check my oil level roughly every other gas fill. There have been times I have added a small amount of oil.

After an oil change I let the bike idle for about 5 minutes. If there are no drips I will increase the throttle, while still on the center stand, for a half minute. If there are still no drips I will run around the block. If there are still no drips I will take a 4 to 5 mile ride and check again. Over the next few days I will check for leaks daily.

I ran out of oil once in a space of a few hundred miles. My dealer replaced nearly every moving part in my engine, under warranty. Thanks Genuine! I continue to be very aware of the oil level in my engine. Keep an eye on the pavement under your bike where you park, look for drips, and keep an eye on the oil level. You will learn to trust yourself.

Don't worry about the torque wrench. Torque it to wrist tight. I've got 27k miles on my 125 without ever having a problem doing it this way, and when I worked in an oil change shop in my early 20's I did hundreds of cars with this method.

Kaos wrote:Don't worry about the torque wrench. Torque it to wrist tight.

You are very lucky. Buddy 125 is notorious for having oil filters spin loose - it has happened to me & I know of >1 instances where engines fried due to this condition.

14-16 ft/lbs works for me -- waaay more than wrist tight. Too bad there is no oil pressure light on the Bud.

cheers!

\e

I use a torque wrench and just added an 8" extension -it works well.

I use a Williams torque wrench, Model BTW-TRC and have no trouble fitting it in the space between the filter and the frame. I set it to 144 in/lbs (12 ft/lbs) and put it on dry. I have never had any problems.

Dean F wrote:I use a Williams torque wrench, Model BTW-TRC and have no trouble fitting it in the space between the filter and the frame. I set it to 144 in/lbs (12 ft/lbs) and put it on dry. I have never had any problems.

Thanks for all of the replys folks, and, don't get me wrong, I was hoping to get a response from someone with a 150 since the placement of the oil filter is different. You can't even hand tighten much since the filter sits inside a shield that surrounds it more than half way.

Dean F, if there is any way you could send a pic of your torque wrench (hopefully as it sits on the oil filter), I would sure appreciate it. Mine is pretty standard but the head isn't any larger than an ordinary ratchet. In fact, it's a little smaller than both my 3/8" and my 1/2" ratchets. I looked around on the intertubes for a Williams torque wrench after reading your reply, and man, those puppies are pricey .

I don't use a torque wrench, but never had any problems getting my socket onto the filter. Of course, that was back in the day when the filter had a socket adapter on it. Now, all I've been able to get is those things that a notch in the end. I think they are Vespa specific and I don't have the tool for them so it's "hand-tight" or nothing.

Howard

Tocsik wrote:Dean F, if there is any way you could send a pic of your torque wrench (hopefully as it sits on the oil filter), I would sure appreciate it. Mine is pretty standard but the head isn't any larger than an ordinary ratchet. In fact, it's a little smaller than both my 3/8" and my 1/2" ratchets. I looked around on the intertubes for a Williams torque wrench after reading your reply, and man, those puppies are pricey .

I'll do another picture with the wrench actually on my buddy later in the week. He is hibrenating at my office in Chicago for the winter. This is the best I can do for now. There is also included is what I use to insert the gear oil. I fill it to 45-50 twice.

Howardr wrote:I don't use a torque wrench, but never had any problems getting my socket onto the filter. Of course, that was back in the day when the filter had a socket adapter on it. Now, all I've been able to get is those things that a notch in the end. I think they are Vespa specific and I don't have the tool for them so it's "hand-tight" or nothing.

Howard

This one is available at Motorsport Scooters for $12.95 and will work on the Buddy filter. Yes, its "Vespa specific" but... I have one but have not had to use it as I have one filter left with the socket head. After that its the slotted socket.

Tocsik wrote:Dean F, if there is any way you could send a pic of your torque wrench (hopefully as it sits on the oil filter), I would sure appreciate it.

Several people on this forum have had there oil filters spin off and one or two have overtightened the filter and cracked the nipple that the filter spins onto. If either of these two things happen, your engine is junk! IMO use the right tools to do the job right!

I was one of the unfortunates whose threaded post snapped from "overtightening." Except I didn't overtightened. It happened using a torque wrench long before hitting the specified torque.

It does not trash the engine, however. An new oil seat / gasket costs about $18 (if I recall correctly) and is a quick and simple repair. The worst part was waiting a couple of weeks for the part.

Based on this experience, I will never use a torque wrench on the oil filter again. Instead, per gr8dog, I hand tighten a dry filter then add a 1/2 turn with a socket wrench. If I had a stronger grip I would simply hand-tighten per Kaos.

Perkussion wrote:I use a torque wrench and just added an 8" extension -it works well.

me to

Perkussion wrote:I use a torque wrench and just added an 8" extension -it works well.

Not for the 150's. The oil filter is in a different location.

where oh where is the actual location on a Buddy 150? anyone have a photo?

Look up a couple of posts and you will the picture (if you are logged in). It is also shown in your owner's manual.

Basically, it sits under the scooter, just in front of the center stand mounting arms.

tatoepfer wrote:where oh where is the actual location on a Buddy 150? anyone have a photo?

It's right behind the kickstand, facing towards the rear of the scooter. You have to get down on the ground to see it. It might help to put your kickstand down (while keeping the scooter on the center stand).

(In way belated response to the original topic, I gave up using a torque wrench on mine long ago. If I had a more shallow socket of the appropriate size, it might fit, but it hasn't been an issue.)

Yeah, I ended up buying a shallow 3/8" socket online but I don't always use it. My torque wrench is a HF cheapie so I worry about over-torquing.
I know about the oil filter spin-off issue so I tighten it pretty good. I still think the 150's may be more protected than the 125's since our filter does not attach to the engine and the vibration is much less.

Doh! Silly me, I thought the comment below meant those photos were a 125. I found it immediately with your guidance. Thanks!