Engine oil smell?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 22, 2012 | 04:04 PM

D1gger

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 684

Likes: 9

From: Indian Head, PA

Engine oil smell?

I noticed this morning after getting home from work on the bike that the engine oil has a strong smell of gear lube, like the diff of a car or truck. What would cause this? Is that further proof that I am sumping primary lube into the engine or perhaps from a freshly remanned engine or what? It is almost time to change it, like within a couple hundred miles of 3000 on this change. I run 20/50 air-cooled formula Havoline dino oil and HD filter. I run the HD plus stuff in the primary...

Sep 22, 2012 | 05:07 PM

Doug S

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 1,123

Likes: 43

From: NJ

Quote:

Is that further proof that I am sumping primary lube into the engine

When you say further proof, are you having an symptoms like primary fluid going down and engine oil level increasing?

If you are smelling gear lube, what are you running in the trans?

Ds

Sep 22, 2012 | 05:34 PM

D1gger

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 684

Likes: 9

From: Indian Head, PA

At first when I had the remanned engine running, the primary did drop some. I haven't noticed the engine oil level increase, though. And I'm only smelling gear lube at the engine oil, like touching it with my fingertip then smelling that. What would it matter what I'm running in the tranny? it's not cross-contaminating the engine oil unless it's travelling through the primary first!

Sep 22, 2012 | 07:23 PM

Doug S

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 1,123

Likes: 43

From: NJ

Quote:

What would it matter what I'm running in the tranny?

Depending on where and how much the trannie might be leaking, it could be getting on the back of the motor or the exhaust, and smelling when it got hot. And since trannies commonly have gear lube in them and primarys don't, I thought it was worth mentioning.

I did not know you taking a wiff directly in the engine oil when I asked the question.

Good luck.

Ds

Sep 22, 2012 | 07:41 PM

D1gger

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 684

Likes: 9

From: Indian Head, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug S

Yeah, it's the actual oil that smells, not a general aroma around the bike... LOL!

Sep 23, 2012 | 03:51 PM

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,898

From: Bedford UK

Can't say I've sniffed any oil lately.....

Sep 24, 2012 | 04:04 PM

Spanners39

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 7,736

Likes: 1,524

From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand

Depends on your oil...some smell like that....try heating up a sample of new oil (same as is in the bike) and sniffing that....won't get ya high but it might solve your issue.

Trending Topics

What would cause this Front Tire failure?

23

1.1k
Oil pressure sensor 2002 Heritage Classic

24

544
Start your Sportster 1200/883

19

440
Why Folks State The Evo Is The Last Real Harley

18

424
Valve Train Noise

46

1.3k

Sep 25, 2012 | 05:56 PM

D1gger

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 684

Likes: 9

From: Indian Head, PA

I must be going insane... I got home from work and noticed a slight dampness of oil on the top hose coming out of the oil pump right at the clamp, like some had seeped past the clamp. THAT's what smelled like used diff lube. There are no leaks, drips or any other signs of seepage anywhere. The primary is still at the correct level and I just checked the dipstick in the tank and it is at the same exact level it has been since I last changed the oil. So no sumping from the primary. The dipstick smelled like motor oil as well, not diff lube. I have no idea what is going on. Why would a slight seepage smell like that? maybe I'm smelling the rubber of the hose as well? Who knows. I will just tighten the clamp and wipe off the outside of the hose and see what happens...