I have a 96 wide glide that I was having issues with the oil returning to the tank.

Here is what I've done thus far:

1. I started with the simple things first and inspected/cleaned all the lines (including the vent line).

2. I then removed the oil pump cover and checked all the passages in there (I used the air in the can that one can use for cleaning the dust out of electronic equipment for that part).

3. I removed the oil filter and mount and checked/cleaned those passage ways (replaced filter at the same time).

4. I removed the plugs and spun the motor with the starter and watched both gears in the pump spin freely.

5. I also checked/cleaned the tappet screen.

6. I have all but the oil fill neck and dip stick on as I'm waiting for a gasket.

7. I am also using custom braided, stainless, lines from drag specialties (except for the one from the oil tank to the pump. That one is the rubber line from the factory).

My questions is this; if I need to check for oil returning to the tank, is removing the plugs and spinning the motor with the starter going to give it enough oil pressure to enable me to verify that oil is, indeed, returning to the tank?

Also, is there any other reason that oil may not be returning to the tank that I may have missed?

Thanks for your replies.

 

Someone smarter than me will be along in a minute. Did you have the system apart to replace the lines, or something? You have to prime the pump once you introduce air into the system before it will pump. The procedure's in the FM. Sorry. That's all I got.

Alan

 

Thanks for the reply, Alan.

Yes, I did prime the pump. I removed the top fill cap an added oil until it started seeping out the very same hole.

 

A while back someone had a problem with their oil lines.
It turned out that par of the inner liner of the oil line came loose and created a one way valve inside the oil line.

Really rare but it is another possibility.

 

That thought never occurred to me, texas. I just need to figure out a way to check for that.

 

I'd just replace the oil lines if I were you.

 

Of all the bikes I built I always used clear braded 3/8 in hose for the return to the oil tank so I could see the stuff return

 

lets just say you actually bought a EVO oil filter from harley and Not a 2 cam oil filter that will in fact cause issues with oil returning

whats the oil filter part number

 

Not sure. It's a drag specialties one and it doesn't have a p/n and I don't have the packaging.

I am 99% sure that it's not for a TC, tho.

 

Are you sure the new hoses are routed correctly?