Early models and sumping
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: USA
Early models and sumping
I see Harley changed the oil pump for the 2020 models and after. And I see the warnings about sumping in the 2019 and earlier models.
And to make it odd, most of the warnings seem to be about touring models, not the softails. Which makes little sense, but ok.
So should I really sweat this if I find a nice 2018? And is an oil pump upgrade a worthwhile thing, if even possible?
And to make it odd, most of the warnings seem to be about touring models, not the softails. Which makes little sense, but ok.
So should I really sweat this if I find a nice 2018? And is an oil pump upgrade a worthwhile thing, if even possible?
Tourer
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 294
Likes: 169
From: California
Still havent heard of a softail sumping.
when I did my cam I went ahead and upgraded the pump to the 8 lobe anyway, at $108 through surdyke it was a no brainer, and its a part that is good enough for any build
when I did my cam I went ahead and upgraded the pump to the 8 lobe anyway, at $108 through surdyke it was a no brainer, and its a part that is good enough for any build
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,321
Likes: 1,884
I see Harley changed the oil pump for the 2020 models and after. And I see the warnings about sumping in the 2019 and earlier models.
And to make it odd, most of the warnings seem to be about touring models, not the softails. Which makes little sense, but ok.
So should I really sweat this if I find a nice 2018? And is an oil pump upgrade a worthwhile thing, if even possible?
And to make it odd, most of the warnings seem to be about touring models, not the softails. Which makes little sense, but ok.
So should I really sweat this if I find a nice 2018? And is an oil pump upgrade a worthwhile thing, if even possible?
Last edited by Durham man; Sep 3, 2023 at 09:39 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,001
Likes: 11,441
In general a softail and a touring bike have a pretty good weight difference. Also Touring bikes and softails and ridden in different way most often.
Some of the sump problems were due to assembly mistakes on the line with the cyl oilers.
Lot come into play with issues like this.
Some of the sump problems were due to assembly mistakes on the line with the cyl oilers.
Lot come into play with issues like this.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
Agreed. No reports I ever saw about Softails sumping. I never had any with my 2018 Road King either. I did eventually upgrade the oil pump just for s&g.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: USA
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
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From: Upstate New York
Havent had an issue with my 19 Heritage in 30,000 miles. Bike runs fine and doesnt use a drop of oil.
All the same Id likely change the oil pump if I was in the cam chest because why not?
All the same Id likely change the oil pump if I was in the cam chest because why not?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 520
From: VA
I changed to the new pump when I changed the cam. Got rid of all the oil carry over into the crankcase vents. I was having more oil carry over than I was happy with
Cruiser
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 180
Likes: 54
From: California
I had a pretty bad sumping problem with my 2018 softail. The bottom of the motor would run so hot on a long ride that I couldn't get my leg anywhere near the primary cover. It would also get so hot that it would only run on one cylinder. The good thing was that It was fixed under warranty. I was able to get a stage 2 upgrade for only the cost of parts when they upgraded the oil pump under warranty. I know the sumping was more prevalent on the touring models. But sumping definitely affected a lot of the early M8 softails as well. I don't know why but some of the early bikes that were built like mine just couldn't move enough oil to the top of the motor with the older style oil pump.
Last edited by tunafisher729; Sep 4, 2023 at 04:19 PM.