97 Heritage Oil Consumption Question
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 58
From: Graysville, AL
97 Heritage Oil Consumption Question
Hello, I am asking this question for a friend who does not have a home computer.
He has a 97 Heritage softail mostly stock other than a thunderheader and carb tuning. Bike and engine have around 20K and the bike runs strong. This is how he described his problem to me. On shorter trips this does not happen but when riding for around 100 miles the oil will start to pool in the engine. He said it is like the oil can't return to the tank fast enough and almost all the oil in the tank will be in the engine. He said even when this happens the bike still runs good. He has put a new oil pump on and everyone he asks (even Harley mechanics) say "they have never heard of this happening".
I appreciate any help you can give. I told him about all the help I have gotten from this forum. Thanks in advance.
He has a 97 Heritage softail mostly stock other than a thunderheader and carb tuning. Bike and engine have around 20K and the bike runs strong. This is how he described his problem to me. On shorter trips this does not happen but when riding for around 100 miles the oil will start to pool in the engine. He said it is like the oil can't return to the tank fast enough and almost all the oil in the tank will be in the engine. He said even when this happens the bike still runs good. He has put a new oil pump on and everyone he asks (even Harley mechanics) say "they have never heard of this happening".
I appreciate any help you can give. I told him about all the help I have gotten from this forum. Thanks in advance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
If you can't figure it out take that bike to Ironhorse in Decatur. Dan will know what to do. Look for Big Bob Gibson's BBQ on Hwy 31. Go through their parking lot to the back. Ironhorse is just a little bit to the right. Tell 'em who sent you.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 58
From: Graysville, AL
That's probably what we will end up doing, plus I am always looking for an excuse to eating some BBQ.
I was hoping to get some suggestions and opinions from you guys. So we could try out a few different things on the bike. He like me enjoys doing all the work on his own bike. Thanks
I was hoping to get some suggestions and opinions from you guys. So we could try out a few different things on the bike. He like me enjoys doing all the work on his own bike. Thanks
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 58
From: Graysville, AL
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 6
From: Union,Ms
This just doesn't make sense. The oil has to be circulating through the oil pump. That would be one sluggish ride with the oil sitting in the crankcase.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: NC USA
It would be a mess if oil were sitting in the cases because as we all know either from first-hand experience or reading on this forum much at all, if the oil was not returning to the tank (oil pan on that year) at least somewhat correctly, it'd be puking out the breather... duh!
So if the OP would or could explain a bit further (I read it wasn't his bike) as to exactly why the owner thinks it's "ponding" would be a great help. Sounds like he's checking it as low at times and full at others which is totally normal... unless he has to add oil often at low mileage intervals in which case it's getting burned somehow...
So if the OP would or could explain a bit further (I read it wasn't his bike) as to exactly why the owner thinks it's "ponding" would be a great help. Sounds like he's checking it as low at times and full at others which is totally normal... unless he has to add oil often at low mileage intervals in which case it's getting burned somehow...