oil level dropped over the winter???
#1
oil level dropped over the winter???
hey guys,
before i put my crossbones away for the winter i changed the oil. i dont remember exactly how much oil it took but i know it was less than 3 qts, probably closer to 2. when i filled the oil tank it was at the FULL line. i started the bike, ran it for 20 seconds or so, then put it in the garage. yesterday when i checked the oil level it was WAY down in the tank. at first i freaked out thinking it must have somehow drained into my engine, but then i remembered it didnt take 3 qts and i figured the rest of that oil had just made its way through the lines and into the filter when i started it in the fall. does this sound right? would the amount of oil that goes through the lines and filter make the level in the tank drop from full to down at the bottom of the tank? or does this sound like somethings wrong? sorry for such a silly question, i've never changed the oil on a harley or done any other work on a harley for that matter.
before i put my crossbones away for the winter i changed the oil. i dont remember exactly how much oil it took but i know it was less than 3 qts, probably closer to 2. when i filled the oil tank it was at the FULL line. i started the bike, ran it for 20 seconds or so, then put it in the garage. yesterday when i checked the oil level it was WAY down in the tank. at first i freaked out thinking it must have somehow drained into my engine, but then i remembered it didnt take 3 qts and i figured the rest of that oil had just made its way through the lines and into the filter when i started it in the fall. does this sound right? would the amount of oil that goes through the lines and filter make the level in the tank drop from full to down at the bottom of the tank? or does this sound like somethings wrong? sorry for such a silly question, i've never changed the oil on a harley or done any other work on a harley for that matter.
#3
As long as you have enough oil to register on the dipstick you are ok. Some oil may have drained into the sump over time but running the bike 20 seconds is not long enough for the oil to get hot and return to the tank. If there is oil showing on the dipstick right now take the bike for a 20 minute ride and let it get warmed up good then shut down and allow 4-5 minutes for the oil to return to the tank and check. If there is no oil on the dipstick then start the bike and let it run for 5 minutes in the driveway and then shutdown and allow 5 minutes for the oil to return and check it.
#5
If you feel confident that you put oil in, it does not evaporate. If there is not a puddle under the bike it has to be somewhere. It sumped into the engine. Start the bike it will be pumped back to the tank. Could also spit out some and make a mess.
#7
is it normal for the oil to sump into the engine over a period of storage (over the winter) or is it most likely because i have a faulty part?
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#8
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Some do it more than others.
I've heard of guys over filling the tank because they were fooled by this.
always run your bike first, before looking for an accurate oil level. (Take a peek in the tank to make sure it ain't dry, but don't plan on getting an accurate measurement after the bike has sat a long time).
#10
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Ron