I changed out my fluids a few weeks ago with the Syn 3 synthetic in the all cases. I'm now changing out the trans side cover and dropped the trans fluid. The syn3 is white? Normally I know white oil means water is in your oil but seems odd to be this white so soon after. Is this common with this synthetic oil?
I was also wondering if it has something to do with the previous oil the last owner had in the trans?

Any thoughts?

 

Soap or water contamination.

 

Do you ride your bike on short trips? That will cause moisture build up since the motor.

 

I've road about 3-4 times at about 2 hours per trip. That seems like a lot of condensation in such a short time.

 

Just got off the phone with a excellent local Harley mechanic. Indeed water contamination as we thought, most likely through the trans vent hose. He wasn't a fan of the synthetic in these bikes and recommended staying with standard fluids...
Now that I'm thinking back, I had also changed our the oil tank (the reason for the first oil swap) and had an O ring issue which leaked down around the trans on the highway. I had to hose the bike down pretty good in that area and I guess it all makes sense.

Thanks for your replies guys,
Cheers.

 

If that is water, it would be a simple matter to pour it in a clear jar and let it sit an hour. You will know for sure. if it is, I would take a run on the first change and change it again. That looks like a lot of water. I agree with Formula + in transmission. Just mainly since there is no filter. Also remember, that down tube in transmission also vents primary (thru clutch push rod hole) and also your oil sump bolted on bottom of transmission. I make a lot of short trips, run year round and only change oils once a year and have never see moisture.

 

Great idea, I'm also dropping the primary cover too to change it out. Thanks for the heads up.

 

Yep, it's water in the transmission. Guaranteed! Check the vent hose on the left side of the transmission. Insure that it is intact and positioned correctly. Flush out the tranny several times with kerosene then leave it open overnight allowing any remaining fluid to evaporate.

 

Your mechanic is terribly wrong with not using synthetic. In the aviation community that is all we use.

I use Mobil 1 v-twin in my Cessna with great results. Im using Mobil 1 75-140 in my 13 Heritage transmission no problems. Why Mobil 1? I like that I can find this oil anywhere and everywhere. And when I see aircraft engines torn down after 2,400 hours and then put back together and certified by an aircraft mechanic for another 2,400 hours, Im sold.

You found water in your oil and you or your mechanic think that regular oil is going to do what?

I've also got a 97 Saturn SL with 186,000 miles on it. Bought it new. I only use Mobil 1 5W-30 with a Mobil 1 filter since new. I only change the oil once a year since Im only driving about 10,000 miles average a year.

There are other synthetic's out there that are very good also. I like many other airplane owners can not pull over to the side of the road to check under the hood. Aircraft engines make our Harley's a cheap toy, so you want to talk about people wanting the best oil.

I just want to make it a point that don't dismiss synthetic's for a problem caused by something else.

 

That Mobil 1 is great stuff. Ive only run it in all my vehicles hence why I took a stab at the Syn3 for the HD. The water and the synthetic thing are of course two separate points. He wasn't saying standard oil would have made a difference with the water issue, only that he prefers and recommends non synthetics on these bikes.. I don't want to get into the whole synthetic / vs debate as everyone has their own angle on it. And most feel pretty strong about it. Haha
Ill cycle some new oil through the trans and drop it again after a few quick runs to flush it.
Threading that clutch cable back into the trans cover was a total bitch not to cross thread it..

Cheers