Lessons from a high mileage Harley
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,200
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
I've lost a couple of motors running Castrol GTX. Maybe it was oil related, may be it wasn't. Probably wasn't in at least one, but to me, that stuff is bad luck and I don't run it anymore in anything.
The thing that kills stators is an intermittent short, in my experience.
The thing that kills stators is an intermittent short, in my experience.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 856
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From: North Carolina
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
What kills stators from my observations is the insulation breaking down in the rubber block that goes behind the stator and into the crankcases.
Because its a permanent magnet rotor, the stator is always working, the regulator bleeds off the unwanted voltage (when the battery is fully charged) as heat, so I don't really think its caused by the battery.
Because its a permanent magnet rotor, the stator is always working, the regulator bleeds off the unwanted voltage (when the battery is fully charged) as heat, so I don't really think its caused by the battery.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Upstate New York
I think it's poor connections between the stator and the voltage regulator that kills the stator. With a poor connection, you're not maintaining good contact between the stator and the voltage regulator, so the regulator can't do its job. How many of you ever check the condition of the connector?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
Do yourself a favor: Spend $5 on a "fullsize" Fram standard filter, cut it open and look at what's inside, you wont use another one. I speak from experience of doing this with 6 automotive filters for a demonstration and comparison of these brands, Fram, Motorcraft, Mopar, AC Delco, Wix, and a Mopar, again you will not use a Fram. Cardboard ends, glued to a small amount of filter paper and no by pass or anti backflow control on several of their filters. Sorry for the highjack.
Last edited by checkers; Sep 10, 2013 at 07:41 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 144
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, IL
Do yourself a favor: Spend $5 on a "fullsize" Fram standard filter, cut it open and look at what's inside, you wont use another one. I speak from experience of doing this with 6 automotive filters for a demonstration and comparison of these brands, Fram, Motorcraft, Mopar, AC Delco, Wix, and a Mopar, again you will not use a Fram. Cardboard ends, glued to a small amount of filter paper and no by pass or anti backflow control on several of their filters. Sorry for the highjack.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 27,233
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From: Florida
wasn't gonna weigh in, but I'll just throw this out there. Castrol went to court and had the definition of synthetic changed so that they could sell Dino oil as Synthetic. they do make a true synthetic, but just like Mobil/Amsoil you're gonna pay for it. I refuse to use their products due to deceptive advertising.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
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From: South Carolina
Checked some aircraft aircooled motor sites a while back to see what type of oil filter THEY use .
SURPRISE ... they dont use oil filters !!!
Apperantly the aviation industry adhears to a policy of regular oil changes after so many hrs. of engine operation including a spectoral anaysis of the oil to verify engine condition .
I could be wrong here but i was very surprised to see this at the time.
SURPRISE ... they dont use oil filters !!!
Apperantly the aviation industry adhears to a policy of regular oil changes after so many hrs. of engine operation including a spectoral anaysis of the oil to verify engine condition .
I could be wrong here but i was very surprised to see this at the time.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
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From: Decatur, Alabama
Do yourself a favor: Spend $5 on a "fullsize" Fram standard filter, cut it open and look at what's inside, you wont use another one. I speak from experience of doing this with 6 automotive filters for a demonstration and comparison of these brands, Fram, Motorcraft, Mopar, AC Delco, Wix, and a Mopar, again you will not use a Fram. Cardboard ends, glued to a small amount of filter paper and no by pass or anti backflow control on several of their filters. Sorry for the highjack.
There's pics of just that floating around the internet somewhere. Guy did a comparison of a bunch of MC filters. Said Fram was a nightmare. Might have been you that did it, I don't know.
Anyway, I would be terrified to run a Fram after seeing those pics. I would rather run without a filter at all.
Carl