Anyone permanently removed Quietech skid plate / shield?
 

Just purchased a 2018 Quietech and found that these have a lower shield as part of the "quiet" package. It has to be removed to change the oil, etc. A lot of work for such a simple task. Would like to know if anyone has removed theirs permanently and what effect did it have on noise as well as operation of the cart. I don't know if this will affect engine cooling, exhaust fumes in the cab, etc.

No, I did not remove the shield. Seems like a LOT of work just to change the oil. I bought an oil extractor on Amazon, for ten or twelve dollars, which works perfectly. Just put the extractor's plastic tube down the dipstick hole to the bottom and suck out the oil with a plunger. Your Yamaha takes 1 quart of 10W30, so it's easy to tell if you got all the old oil. I change my oil annually for less than $10.00.

I've heard about extractors but I've also heard that they don't get out any of the shavings that may be in the pan. What have you noticed?

If the shavings can be stirred up and suspended in the oil then they would be extracted with the oil.

If the shavings are stuck to the bottom and cannot be stirred up then they would be stuck to the bottom and out of any moving parts anyway.

IF any shavings had settled right at the drain plug then they might come out with the plug or with the first bit of oil.

I'm sticking with the extractor rather than jacks and stands and plates and pans.

Which extractor do you have? And how do you keep the hoses from making a mess after using it?

Every airplane I've owned has a magnetic oil plug, which will catch the "shavings" (which are then sent for analysis). Likely available for your oil resevoir.

I'll have to look but came from a local auto store.

I drain the hoses the best that I can then coil them and put them into a ziplock. If I'm careful, I can coil them so the open ends are pointing the same way and I can store the ziplock so the ends are up. Very little mess.

I’d recommend leaving the skid plate on, it covers the low hanging muffler to protect it and dampens the exhaust noise. Taking it on and off adds about 10 minutes to an oil change, which only needs to be done about every 100 hours of driving if you use a quality synthetic oil.

Do you jack the cart up to take it off? How much does the plate weigh? May be too difficult to hold up and put screws back in for 1 person. How bad is it?

Now I’m curious, my owners manual calls for 10-w-30 at temp range of 10-70 degrees F and 10-w-40 for temp range of 10-110 degrees F. I am getting ready to change mine very soon and would like to know what is everyone’s choice of oil and weight?

My Yamaha manual specifies 10W-30.

This is all I’ve ever used

My owner's manual (2014) specifies 10W-30. This means I can use 0W-30, 5W-30 or 10W-30. I am generally running Mobil-1 5W-30.

Doesn’t have to be removed; I found a device on Amazon that removes the old oil from the oil fill tube.

What is the make and year of your cart? I have a 2014 and 2018 Yamaha and both manuals only list 10W30.

Treat your cart to the best.

I jack it up with a floor jack and remove the skid plate bolts and oil drain plug and then lower the cart to let it fully drain while level. Once drained, jack it back up and put the drain plug back on with a new washer then reinstall the plate. The plate is not heavy, hold it in place with one hand and thread two bolts with the other hand to hold it in place and then you will have both hands free to finish attaching the plate bolts. It’s not a difficult job, especially once you’ve done it once.

I have permanently removed the rear cover for better air flow which has helped greatly in removing excess heat in the engine compartment. Removing the front pan to change the oil only takes a few minutes extra plus it also holds the exhaust cover in place. Without the pan it would probably fall off

Use oil extractor that has a ridged small tube one sticks down the dip stick hole. I do this after running the golf cart some where for 5-10 minutes to get as much stuff from the bottom of the pan in suspension. I use 10-30W synthetic oil and refill via the dip stick hole. 15-20 minutes work tops Use the old oil for my chain saw chain lubricant.

I agree with most of the other reply. You do not need to remove the bottom plate. If you have your cart serviced by one of the mobile cart maintenance companies (at least the dealer that I bought from), they extract the oil out of the fill tube as well.

I have taken mine off twice to change the oil but will definitely consider the extractor next time!

I had the cart store remove my shield and lower cover to reduce the excess heat from the engine compartment. Small,increase in noise, greatly reduces heat build up especially in summer since I stay here all year around.

We bought the extractor also. Easy to do! Saves you $$!

The number before the W describes the oil's viscosity at low temperatures. A lower number means the oil is thinner and flows better at start-up temperatures. The number after the W describes the oil's thickness at the engine's normal operating temperature. For example, 5W-30 will flow more readily than 10W-30 at start-up temperatures. In Central Florida it is safe to use 5W30 or 0W30. I would never use 40 weight oil in a small engine here. I prefer the 0W30 oil to keep start up wear to a minimum.

Which one did you get?

The skid plate is plastic and only has four screws. Not a big deal at all. I’ve done the oil change in about half an hour including the skid plate. You should give it a try.

This one is excellent, and it’s on sale at Amazon.

With the right tools its 45 seconds to remove the bottom pan and 45 seconds to put it back on.
Draining the oil from the drain plug is a better oil change, but to each their own.
If your paying a service good money they better be taking the pan off.

Totally agree. FYI, The Villages Golf Cart Service Department pumps out the oil, Todd Casey drains the oil.

Does this help reduce the exhaust odor?

Oils are designed to hold "stuff" in suspension, up to a point. If you have "stuff" on the bottom of your pan then you aren't changing your oil often enough. I have never seen the need to run an engine before an oil change. All of the oil has already drained to the bottom of the pan from the last time it was run. Oil at below operating temperature will take a bit longer to drain out but this isn't really an issue. I just let it drain till it stops dripping, while I read the paper and have a cup of coffee.

Thanks everyone. I found this on You Tube Oil Change on Drive2 and it doesn't look that difficult. I'm also going to add a Fumoto F109SX M12-1.5 Sx Series Drain Valve to make it easier.

I'm going to attempt it in April when I change the oil in my other cart.

How do you dispose of the old oil besides reusing it in an outdoor power product?

I catch it in one of those disposable aluminum pans (10 x 12 x 2 1/2) and transfer it back to the bottle I poured the new oil from. Then you can take it to an auto parts store or Walmart automotive for disposal. I usually wipe out the pan, then wash with soap and save it for next time but you could just throw it out.

BTW, you do not want to mix it with gas for 2 cycle lawn equipment.

Oil Pump
 

I had the vacuum type of extractor and it works fine. I just found it a difficult to clean to my satisfaction.

I just purchased an electric pump that clamps onto the battery. It pulls the oil much quick and goes easily into an empty oil bottle of milk container. The same unit on amazon is sold at different prices depending on the seller.

Used it once so far and loved it.

Exactly correct. Just did this. But on the other side, no filter either. Think a filter would help those draining out fill tube, but probably have to drop pan to get to my imaginary filter….

2022 and 2023 Yamaha

I just looked up the owner's manual for a 2022 Quietech and see the Available Viscosity Index on page 20 showing 10W30 & 10W40. This chart is not in my 2014 or 2018 manuals. Both manuals list only 10W30 in multiple places.

The emission control label on the frame near the engine on the 2022 says 10W30 according to the manual.

Well there you go, now it’s as clear as mud! I was puzzled by the 10w40 because the only time I’ve ever used 40 weight oil it was in diesel engines.