Oil overfill
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 753
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From: Yakima, WA
Oil overfill
Totally not interested in the ever-present "do your own service" response, but here's the thing... Just had my 10K service done, and they over filled the oil. It is above the arrow that points to the "full Hot" line - while cold.
I'm going to pull some out, so no big deal, but just wondering what the consequence of running with too much oil is. Anybody know?
And second, does synthetic oil expand as much as dino oil when hot?
Steve
I'm going to pull some out, so no big deal, but just wondering what the consequence of running with too much oil is. Anybody know?
And second, does synthetic oil expand as much as dino oil when hot?
Steve
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 3
From: Chesterfield, VA
Excess oil can travel through the crankcase ventilation and be expelled through the vent tubes to the air cleaner.
Sorry, I don't know the temperature expansion differences between dino and synthetic oil.
You can use a turkey baster to remove excess oil without making a mess.
Sorry, I don't know the temperature expansion differences between dino and synthetic oil.
You can use a turkey baster to remove excess oil without making a mess.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 933
Likes: 4
I used to have my oil changed at the dealer and the guy was always too fast working on bikes. It would always be overfilled. When I had my softail to would blow out the air cleaner by the time I got home. Ditto on the turkey baster, suck it out, it will save you cleaning the outside of the motor.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 972
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From: NC
I'd be paranoid that maybe they drained the oil, put the drain plug back in, then just wiped the filter clean with a rag so that it looks new but that they didn't actually change the filter. Then they added about 2.5 qts of oil but that would be too much if the old filter was on there holding oil still and that's why it's reading over-full now... But I'm paranoid like that which is why... Oh, you didn't want to hear about the do-it-yourself stuff. 
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 933
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Just a piece of advice, ask your wife or girlfriend before using the turkey baster. I had every intention of replacing it with a new one after I sucked the oil out of my bike, but completely forgot. When she went to use it and discovered what happened to her turkey baster, she wanted to use it where the sun does not shine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,143
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From: South Carolina
Why not just take the bike back to where it was serviced and have them take care of it?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Aurora, IL
Besides, the dealer would love to know they could use less oil per oil change and make that much more $$$
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
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I won't say do it yourself but I will say when they do it wrong find someone else to do it.
PS: Oh, I gotta say it, I don't need to pay $80/hour to have a half-assed job done, I can do that myself.
PS: Oh, I gotta say it, I don't need to pay $80/hour to have a half-assed job done, I can do that myself.
Last edited by LilBudyWizer; Jul 25, 2009 at 09:52 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
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From: Northwest
Make sure 1st that you have checked the oil level correctly. Looking at it cold, is not what HD says to do (in the owners manual) You have to bring it up to running temp first and then check it.
I understand why... this oiling system is sort of a cross between the old dry sump, and a partial pan system. So after hours of sitting all the oil comes back to the pan, and it looks like its overfilled.... but, you need to have some of that oil up in engine to check the level 'accurately'.
But yes, the dealers do overfill these things all the time... probably for the same reason.
I understand why... this oiling system is sort of a cross between the old dry sump, and a partial pan system. So after hours of sitting all the oil comes back to the pan, and it looks like its overfilled.... but, you need to have some of that oil up in engine to check the level 'accurately'.
But yes, the dealers do overfill these things all the time... probably for the same reason.