2009 FXD… seems to be burning oil?
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 295
Likes: 23
From: Northeast
2009 FXD… seems to be burning oil?
Hey my Dyna loving kinfolk,
I have a 2009 FXD which, in the summer of last year, started showing an oil light every now and again. Here and there especially when i angled the bike and hit a lot of bumps… then took a measurement on dipstick and saw it was sooooo low! didn’t even show up on the stick!! So i filled with some Syn3.
Fast forward ONE year… i just saw my oil light flash on again!! Now, I know that can’t be right. Looked at dipstick again, and sure enough, low oil.
Ive looked for signs of possible leaks but I swear I cannot find any EXCEPT i do get some slight weeping at the rocker boxes (I swapped them out about 4 seasons ago) but it’s definitely not enough to create that much loss. At least… i THINK it’s not? When I changed out those rockers, I changed out the gaskets as well for some James stuff. I can’t imagine those gaskets are already porked.
Anyone else see this and what was the remedy?
I have a 2009 FXD which, in the summer of last year, started showing an oil light every now and again. Here and there especially when i angled the bike and hit a lot of bumps… then took a measurement on dipstick and saw it was sooooo low! didn’t even show up on the stick!! So i filled with some Syn3.
Fast forward ONE year… i just saw my oil light flash on again!! Now, I know that can’t be right. Looked at dipstick again, and sure enough, low oil.
Ive looked for signs of possible leaks but I swear I cannot find any EXCEPT i do get some slight weeping at the rocker boxes (I swapped them out about 4 seasons ago) but it’s definitely not enough to create that much loss. At least… i THINK it’s not? When I changed out those rockers, I changed out the gaskets as well for some James stuff. I can’t imagine those gaskets are already porked.
Anyone else see this and what was the remedy?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 1,727
From: Dallas, Texas
Let's see if I understand this correctly. A 15 year old bike. The oil light comes on and it concerns you. Keep riding and wonder what's up with the oil light. THEN ya finally check the oil. Just takes a little common sense to figure it out. If it ain't leaking the oil out, IT'S BURNING IT OUT. Check yer plugs and do a compression test. Sounds like a top end rebuild is in order. I have an 07 Dyna with over 107,000 miles on it. I practice preventative maintenance . . . check fluid levels MONTHLY.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 295
Likes: 23
From: Northeast
Originally Posted by Bubba Zanetti;[url=tel:21878220
21878220[/url]]So is the only time you check your oil when your oil light comes on?
If you waited a year in between that’s too long.
If you waited a year in between that’s too long.
But it’s true, I guess I keep forgetting the age of the bike and the possibility I’ll just have to be more vigilant on checking the oil.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 295
Likes: 23
From: Northeast
Originally Posted by TexasScooterTrash;[url=tel:21878231
21878231[/url]]Let's see if I understand this correctly. A 15 year old bike. The oil light comes on and it concerns you. Keep riding and wonder what's up with the oil light. THEN ya finally check the oil. Just takes a little common sense to figure it out. If it ain't leaking the oil out, IT'S BURNING IT OUT. Check yer plugs and do a compression test. Sounds like a top end rebuild is in order. I have an 07 Dyna with over 107,000 miles on it. I practice preventative maintenance . . . check fluid levels MONTHLY.
Plugs are fine, I just replaced them in the spring.
I will definitely now check it much more. And buy more oil I guess!
Top end rebuild is not something Ive ever attempted so I’ll look into that at my local shop. Thanks for the tip.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,475
Likes: 3,723
From: backwoods
That is still not the right answer, Once you discovered you were losing oil, you should have been checking it often. If I went through that much oil I would check fist tank of gas, then maybe every other, then maybe keep checking every 3-400 miles.
I have no clue how low you have have to run your bike to get that bleeping low. I sorta get you didn't no any better, but once it came on the first time you are _______ for not following up.
Pull the derby cover off. Any come out? It can leak, migrate into primary, or get burn up.
So the oil light came on how many times before you decide to check it????????
I would say one of the first things to do is get filled, correctly, make sure it is filled correctly, and keep an on it to see how much you are actually losing.
I have no clue how low you have have to run your bike to get that bleeping low. I sorta get you didn't no any better, but once it came on the first time you are _______ for not following up.
Pull the derby cover off. Any come out? It can leak, migrate into primary, or get burn up.
So the oil light came on how many times before you decide to check it????????
I would say one of the first things to do is get filled, correctly, make sure it is filled correctly, and keep an on it to see how much you are actually losing.
Last edited by Rounders; Nov 28, 2024 at 01:13 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,075
Likes: 1,233
From: New Hampsha
When the light comes on it means the oil pressure is low. Engine damage is imminent. The key is to check the oil more frequently so it doesn't drop below the minimum on the stick. Low oil also means hot engine.
How often do you change the oil?
How often do you change the oil?
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,021
Likes: 7,147
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Hey my Dyna loving kinfolk,
I have a 2009 FXD which, in the summer of last year, started showing an oil light every now and again. Here and there especially when i angled the bike and hit a lot of bumps… then took a measurement on dipstick and saw it was sooooo low! didn’t even show up on the stick!! So i filled with some Syn3.
Fast forward ONE year… i just saw my oil light flash on again!! Now, I know that can’t be right. Looked at dipstick again, and sure enough, low oil.
Ive looked for signs of possible leaks but I swear I cannot find any EXCEPT i do get some slight weeping at the rocker boxes (I swapped them out about 4 seasons ago) but it’s definitely not enough to create that much loss. At least… i THINK it’s not? When I changed out those rockers, I changed out the gaskets as well for some James stuff. I can’t imagine those gaskets are already porked.
Anyone else see this and what was the remedy?
I have a 2009 FXD which, in the summer of last year, started showing an oil light every now and again. Here and there especially when i angled the bike and hit a lot of bumps… then took a measurement on dipstick and saw it was sooooo low! didn’t even show up on the stick!! So i filled with some Syn3.
Fast forward ONE year… i just saw my oil light flash on again!! Now, I know that can’t be right. Looked at dipstick again, and sure enough, low oil.
Ive looked for signs of possible leaks but I swear I cannot find any EXCEPT i do get some slight weeping at the rocker boxes (I swapped them out about 4 seasons ago) but it’s definitely not enough to create that much loss. At least… i THINK it’s not? When I changed out those rockers, I changed out the gaskets as well for some James stuff. I can’t imagine those gaskets are already porked.
Anyone else see this and what was the remedy?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,475
Likes: 3,723
From: backwoods
But it didn't help this guy. I am all for these lights, something could happen and you could lose oil from a blow line or such. Not something that should be checked perodically.