Oil Flow Issue
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 503
Likes: 197
From:
Oil Flow Issue
Tried posting this in the Oil section. Lots of views but no advice. Hoping for better luck here. Thanks!
My '04 Wide Glide has recently started having an issue. The oil light comes on, I check the oil level and it shows no oil. Ride it a bit farther and the oil light goes off and the oil level is fine. Rinse and repeat.
I've since changed the oil and filter. Didn't see any debris in the oil. Before I do an oil pump change I am wondering if there are other culprits that could be causing this. Appreciate any help you can provide.
My '04 Wide Glide has recently started having an issue. The oil light comes on, I check the oil level and it shows no oil. Ride it a bit farther and the oil light goes off and the oil level is fine. Rinse and repeat.
I've since changed the oil and filter. Didn't see any debris in the oil. Before I do an oil pump change I am wondering if there are other culprits that could be causing this. Appreciate any help you can provide.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 486
Likes: 155
From: British Columbia
Tried posting this in the Oil section. Lots of views but no advice. Hoping for better luck here. Thanks!
My '04 Wide Glide has recently started having an issue. The oil light comes on, I check the oil level and it shows no oil. Ride it a bit farther and the oil light goes off and the oil level is fine. Rinse and repeat.
I've since changed the oil and filter. Didn't see any debris in the oil. Before I do an oil pump change I am wondering if there are other culprits that could be causing this. Appreciate any help you can provide.
My '04 Wide Glide has recently started having an issue. The oil light comes on, I check the oil level and it shows no oil. Ride it a bit farther and the oil light goes off and the oil level is fine. Rinse and repeat.
I've since changed the oil and filter. Didn't see any debris in the oil. Before I do an oil pump change I am wondering if there are other culprits that could be causing this. Appreciate any help you can provide.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 503
Likes: 197
From:
There's about 50K miles on it and it is a stock engine. I've only ridden it a few times since the problem started. The first time was the day after a long ride. Light came on, oil was low. I rode to a gas station to get oil. By the time I bought the oil the level was good again. Later in the day light came on and checked the oil, nothing on the dipstick. Put some oil in and rode a bit then light went off. Checked oil when I got home and it was fine. A little high but ok. Changed oil and filter before riding again. The same thing happened each time I have ridden it since. Never far since I don't want to damage the engine. Last time I took off it was ok but after 10 minutes the light came on so I rode home.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 750
Likes: 359
From: Winnipeg
I saw your other post too- it could be the oil pump- you might have to take the cam cover off to take a look. What i dont understand is how the pump is draining the tank- where is that oil going? Thats alot of oil! 3 quarts right? Could be a scavenging issue in the pump.
Or maybe an oil tank venting isssue?
Or maybe an oil tank venting isssue?
Last edited by RDHIGH; Feb 25, 2020 at 05:35 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,048
Likes: 990
kiss it
check hoses if that are old
another is is vapor lock, this can happen when the bag is lower than the engine and you over-fill the bag. this usually occurs after adding free flowing components and such and usually on sustain higher speeds.
another issue could be the breather valves, hd needs diff''l pressure to help move the oil around.
check hoses if that are old
another is is vapor lock, this can happen when the bag is lower than the engine and you over-fill the bag. this usually occurs after adding free flowing components and such and usually on sustain higher speeds.
another issue could be the breather valves, hd needs diff''l pressure to help move the oil around.
Trending Topics
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 2,597
From: san antonio
Don't disagree with anything previously posted; however, the next time the light comes on and the OP checks the oil and it doesn't read on the stick, pull the crank case plug and see how much oil comes out of the sump. There shouldn't be more than 3 to 6 ounces, max, drain out. If more, time to pull the cam chest cover and start looking around.
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
Stage II
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Burnaby BC
I have a 2012 Superglide and my oil light does not come on at all.I thought it was the pressure switch so I changed it.It does not show any codes on the on board dyno. If it is just the light can one single light be changed. It does not come on when I run the dyno on board nor does it show any codes.
Last edited by Alan Stewart; Apr 18, 2020 at 03:54 PM. Reason: added some info.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 4,125
Likes: 2,116
From: W. MI.
Mine did this last year. However, it was on my 96 springer. If the check ball isn't seating oil runs into the sump while the bike sets. Then you check it and the oil is low, so you add. Next check and it's high because oil was scavenged out of the sump. Oil was always in the sump on my bike. Tried seating a new ball in the oil pump, no dice. Replacing the oil pump with an S&S is the only thing that took care of the problem and it was cheaper than a new motor.