Oil usage normal or not?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 2,507
From: Lake Orion, MI
Desert Hog - good luck - hope you get it resolved.
Check that before August - man, there should be a lot of miles way before then. I might think you want to have it looked at right away.
I am in Michigan - we got about 2 inches of ice on Sunday.
Check that before August - man, there should be a lot of miles way before then. I might think you want to have it looked at right away.
I am in Michigan - we got about 2 inches of ice on Sunday.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 632
From: NorCal Rocklin
All engines consume oil. Some consume more than others. If you believe it is excessive then take it to the dealer. I had an issue with my 2011 but they taped the dipstick and had to ride it 500 miles and come back. Very inconveniencing and a time waster.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 193
From: ohio
What is your starting oil level on the stick ? Just asking, i had an older bike ,that did this, if i filled to full on stick, i only put approx. 3.5 quarts or less , on an oil change, oil in the middle of the full and low, keeps from blowing through filter, intake area, Dealer does the same, when i take it there
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 519
Likes: 83
From: NC
When I complained about mine burning oil I was told that as long as it doesn’t burn over a quart between oil changes then it’s acceptable. My last four Harley’s burned no oil, nothing. My 2016 goes through 26-28 onces between changes.
Last edited by PeteF; Apr 16, 2018 at 08:49 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
I fill it to the full "dot" when heated up to op temp after a change and it stays there till the next one. How I ride it or the fact that it's on the full mark has no effect, nor does riding all day at interstate speeds or puttin' around on back roads make any difference.
I've been hearing that "all engines use oil" all my life. AFAIC, that's just BS put out by the manufacturers to cover their own sorry asses when they sell their customers oil-burners.
You can believe that crap if you want - but to me, it's total bullsh!t. Some do, some don't.
Over 100k on my '14 Limited and never any measurable amount of oil usage. Have been running HD's Syn3 with 5k changes. I do not, however, have an M8 or have had a cam change. 100% stock motor.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 798
From: Bear Flag, lower end
Never had to add any between changes in 40K miles on my 14 FLHTK.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 353
Likes: 32
From: New Brunswick Canada
I disagree that all engines use oil, you should absolutely be able to go oil change to oil change without the need to add oil unless maybe you are in extreme conditions or are using the wrong oil.
That being said, a quart every thousand miles??? No damn way! Something is wrong, oil getting pushed somewhere it's not supposed to be.
If it started right after the cam change that would probably be where I'd start looking. Maybe an O ring out of place or something stupid but seems to me it has to be in there somewhere.
That being said, a quart every thousand miles??? No damn way! Something is wrong, oil getting pushed somewhere it's not supposed to be.
If it started right after the cam change that would probably be where I'd start looking. Maybe an O ring out of place or something stupid but seems to me it has to be in there somewhere.