Where Is My Engine Oil Going?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,201
Likes: 12,786
From: South Carolina
Fill it to the correct level, record how much your bike takes, and now you know exactly how much you need when you service it in the future.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
I come back to eat a little crow, if I offended anyone my apologies.
The softail is a 4 1/2 qt oil system.
Two things were throwing me off, service telling me they were a 5 qt system and the manual instructions.
Lets talk manual, had to go back and re-read, realized where my error was. Manual says 4 initial qts, run the engine for a couple minutes, add accordingly.
That two minute run time does not allow the engine to reach hot oil temp, the engine is still cold. My friggin error right there, I assumed hot. I should have filled it to the half way mark as a cold check is outlined.
Doing the primary fluid/clutch pak adjustment later today. Manual says approximately 36 ox. I will be double checking that and chime back in if its more or less.
The softail is a 4 1/2 qt oil system.
Two things were throwing me off, service telling me they were a 5 qt system and the manual instructions.
Lets talk manual, had to go back and re-read, realized where my error was. Manual says 4 initial qts, run the engine for a couple minutes, add accordingly.
That two minute run time does not allow the engine to reach hot oil temp, the engine is still cold. My friggin error right there, I assumed hot. I should have filled it to the half way mark as a cold check is outlined.
Doing the primary fluid/clutch pak adjustment later today. Manual says approximately 36 ox. I will be double checking that and chime back in if its more or less.
Last edited by Tampa Fatboy; Oct 16, 2020 at 08:01 AM. Reason: typos
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,874
From: Upstate New York
I've found that I start with four quarts, them run the engine for two minutes and add 1/2 quart. That gets me in the ball park. Next ride (getting fully hot) I'll then check the oil immediately after shutting down and adjust to mid-3/4 full on the stick if necessary. Capacity seems to be 4.6-4.7 quarts. Yes, at the 1,000 mile service, the dealer way overfilled the oil supply, so I've changed the oil myself since and tried to find the correct amount by trial and error.
I fill the primary by level , not quantity. The transmission capacity is given at 24 oz., but that won't even show on the dipstick. 32 oz. brings the transmission level right to the midpoint on the dipstick.
I fill the primary by level , not quantity. The transmission capacity is given at 24 oz., but that won't even show on the dipstick. 32 oz. brings the transmission level right to the midpoint on the dipstick.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Oct 16, 2020 at 04:25 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 79
Likes: 35
From: Santee
Update on 2019 Sport Glide with 12k miles. I had the dealer look at it. Went ahead and authorized them to do a compression test at my cost. They called back later that day and said "We have good news and bad news. Good news is the compression came out within 2% of spec. Bad news is HD Corporate told us to tear down the rear cylinder and tell them what we find"
I had topped the bike's oil off two Sundays ago and went for about a 200 mile ride. Checked it again on this last Sunday and it was down half a quart again.
The tear down happens on Wednesday so I'll post back when they tell me what's up. I figured if the compression test came back that I'd just ride it until either something or nothing happened.
I had topped the bike's oil off two Sundays ago and went for about a 200 mile ride. Checked it again on this last Sunday and it was down half a quart again.
The tear down happens on Wednesday so I'll post back when they tell me what's up. I figured if the compression test came back that I'd just ride it until either something or nothing happened.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,303
Likes: 2,404
From: Florida
Update on 2019 Sport Glide with 12k miles. I had the dealer look at it. Went ahead and authorized them to do a compression test at my cost. They called back later that day and said "We have good news and bad news. Good news is the compression came out within 2% of spec. Bad news is HD Corporate told us to tear down the rear cylinder and tell them what we find"
I had topped the bike's oil off two Sundays ago and went for about a 200 mile ride. Checked it again on this last Sunday and it was down half a quart again.
The tear down happens on Wednesday so I'll post back when they tell me what's up. I figured if the compression test came back that I'd just ride it until either something or nothing happened.
I had topped the bike's oil off two Sundays ago and went for about a 200 mile ride. Checked it again on this last Sunday and it was down half a quart again.
The tear down happens on Wednesday so I'll post back when they tell me what's up. I figured if the compression test came back that I'd just ride it until either something or nothing happened.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 290
Likes: 67
From: Fairfax, Va
Originally Posted by Tampa Fatboy
...service telling me they were a 5 qt system and the manual instructions.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
Total capacity might indeed be 5 quarts, but refill capacity will be less. Not all the oil in the engine comes out when it's drained. How much one pours in after draining the oil, and then how much more needs to be added is also influenced by how the new oil filter is installed. If the filter is installed dry more will need to be added. Installed wet, less.
So I woke up Friday morning, pulled that 1/2 quart out and went to throw my 2X6 under the kickstand and begin my primary fluid change and clutch pak adjustment.
Flat rear tire. lmbo, ok, lets do this. Air it up see how bad it is.
I was able to make it into town for a tire, warranty took care of it but the front tire was wore out and needed replaced.
Warranty doesnt cover that, I'm like only 7K miles and warranty doesnt cover that. Ok, replace that too.
I fell asleep in the lounge and woke up some sexy woman sittin across from me. I was like, whoa, I do hope I wasnt snoring. She laughed and said nope.
This morning weather was cool and no way I was going to pass that up.
Next week I'll do the primary/clutch pak, and doulble check the manuals approximately 36 oz to the actual level it needs to be.
Yes, I did stop by and purchase a mini mini pen light for that friggin new smaller derby cover. Lets hope I dont drop it in....*chuckles
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 978
Likes: 423
From: UK
Second time changed the oil this M8 according to the manual. 4 quarts and add accordingly, 5 qts to bring it up to full..
Problem is after riding it and checking it when it's hot, shows too much oil.
I'm not a happy camper, 30 minutes back and forth checking the oil while the scoots hot and cannot get the reading I'm supposed to.
Cold check this mornin before I left showed a 'hot oil value', full.
grrrrr...is the manual not correct?
Tomorrow I do the primary again after another 3K miles, and re-adjust the clutch pak. Manual says 36 oz fluid, I will be putting the pen light down there to check that level too.
Something is very amiss with that manual.
Problem is after riding it and checking it when it's hot, shows too much oil.
I'm not a happy camper, 30 minutes back and forth checking the oil while the scoots hot and cannot get the reading I'm supposed to.
Cold check this mornin before I left showed a 'hot oil value', full.
grrrrr...is the manual not correct?
Tomorrow I do the primary again after another 3K miles, and re-adjust the clutch pak. Manual says 36 oz fluid, I will be putting the pen light down there to check that level too.
Something is very amiss with that manual.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 3,586
Likes: 889
From: Nowhere
Sorry if I missed it but are you guys saying manual incorrectly mention primary oil levels?
Reason I am asking is I dropped off my bike at 1000 service while back and I felt they didnt fill up my primary properly when I compared to pictures from manual. Now I am reading this posts and I am not sure whats up.
What I noticed when I added recommended Quantity of oil while I personally changed my oil in primary it was not even close to levels shown on picture in manual but bike shifted perfectly with quantity (no picture level) fill.
Reason I am asking is I dropped off my bike at 1000 service while back and I felt they didnt fill up my primary properly when I compared to pictures from manual. Now I am reading this posts and I am not sure whats up.
What I noticed when I added recommended Quantity of oil while I personally changed my oil in primary it was not even close to levels shown on picture in manual but bike shifted perfectly with quantity (no picture level) fill.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 978
Likes: 423
From: UK
There was a change around 2019. The cover plate became smaller diameter, the gasket is different and the fill level became lower. It should be just up to but below, the square castellations on the clutch outer.