checking oil
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: south coast nsw Australia
checking oil
Hey guys, there has been some discussion on the Aussie HD forum on the correct way to check your oil. The manual says screw the filler cap in to check but it seems the dealers tech say not to, I checked mine after the dealer did a service when it was cold and doing it as per the maual the dipstick level is at the hot level check, which means to me there is too much oil. Why would the dealer overfill it???
Whats everyone else doin??
Whats everyone else doin??
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 538
Likes: 15
From: Eastern MA
Hey guys, there has been some discussion on the Aussie HD forum on the correct way to check your oil. The manual says screw the filler cap in to check but it seems the dealers tech say not to, I checked mine after the dealer did a service when it was cold and doing it as per the maual the dipstick level is at the hot level check, which means to me there is too much oil. Why would the dealer overfill it???
Whats everyone else doin??
Whats everyone else doin??
B
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Central DE
Same on my 08.
Trending Topics
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Oil level
On my 1k dealer over fillied engine oil, had to pump some out, when i told them about and showed them the manual the guy had a dumb look on his face and didn't a word, i guess they can't read, never again, $207.00 and i brought my own oil.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
Here's some text from my'08 manual:
"Oil level cannot be accurately measured on a cold engine. For pre-ride inspection, with motorcycle leaning on jiffy stand on level ground, oil should register on dipstick between arrows when engine is cold. Do not add oil to bring the level to the FULL mark on a COLD engine."
So you check for accuracy after bringing the engine up to operating temp. Stop and let the engine idle for 1-2 minutes on the jiffy stand. Turn engine off and then remove the dipstick, wipe- reinstall dipstick (screwed completely in). Remove and then check. Only then do you add oil to bring up to the Full level if need be.
Also as a side note:
"Do not overfill oil tank. Doing so can result in oil carryover to the air cleaner leading to equipment damage and/or equipment malfunction"
Additional note:
"For cold check level, do not exceed midpoint on dipstick when filling with oil."
I wonder how many times people are getting oil blowback into the air cleaner because of improper oil level checking ??
"Oil level cannot be accurately measured on a cold engine. For pre-ride inspection, with motorcycle leaning on jiffy stand on level ground, oil should register on dipstick between arrows when engine is cold. Do not add oil to bring the level to the FULL mark on a COLD engine."
So you check for accuracy after bringing the engine up to operating temp. Stop and let the engine idle for 1-2 minutes on the jiffy stand. Turn engine off and then remove the dipstick, wipe- reinstall dipstick (screwed completely in). Remove and then check. Only then do you add oil to bring up to the Full level if need be.
Also as a side note:
"Do not overfill oil tank. Doing so can result in oil carryover to the air cleaner leading to equipment damage and/or equipment malfunction"
Additional note:
"For cold check level, do not exceed midpoint on dipstick when filling with oil."
I wonder how many times people are getting oil blowback into the air cleaner because of improper oil level checking ??
Last edited by archergodwin; Nov 11, 2008 at 09:30 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 4
From: Newtown, PA
The dealer always overfills it. Unless the engine is brand new from the factory ("dry" engine), the proper fill is 2.5 quarts. The only time the engine should be filled with 3.0 quarts is when the engine has just been manufactured and never filled with oil before. This is in the Harley Service Manual. Anyhow, if it's at the hot fill level when cold, it's got 1/2 quart too much oil in it. Make sure you know how to properly check the oil when the engine is hot as per your owner's manual/service manual. Check the oil when engine is hot. Verify oil is at proper level. Then, park bike overnight. Next morning, check the oil with the engine cold. Wherever the level is, it will be fine and you'll know what the cold level should look like. This way, you can check your oild cold, without having to warm up the bike, and be accurate. Generally speaking, as archergodwin mentions above, the cold level should be about 1/2 way up the dipstick. It's okay to check cold, but you have to know what the proper cold level is.
Last edited by rdondes; Nov 11, 2008 at 11:57 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
