How much oil in engine??
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,251
Likes: 3,990
From: Windwardside, Saba N.A.
How much oil in engine??
Got a question about how much oil to run in the engine crankcase. 2014 SGS with 120R engine.
At my motor's 5000 mile service the dealership tech asked me how much oil I wanted put in the engine. He explained that the MoCo several years ago started advising to run 1/2 quart less oil in the engine to fix a problem (I don't remember what he said the problem was...).
He said he would fill the crankcase with how ever much oil I want. Either to factory-recommended level or the older 1/2 quart more.
I told him to put in the extra 1/2 quart. It's now at above full level.
My engine has the SE +1.5 quart oil pan. Don't think that makes any difference but anyway...
Any advice on the topic is appreciated.
At my motor's 5000 mile service the dealership tech asked me how much oil I wanted put in the engine. He explained that the MoCo several years ago started advising to run 1/2 quart less oil in the engine to fix a problem (I don't remember what he said the problem was...).
He said he would fill the crankcase with how ever much oil I want. Either to factory-recommended level or the older 1/2 quart more.
I told him to put in the extra 1/2 quart. It's now at above full level.
My engine has the SE +1.5 quart oil pan. Don't think that makes any difference but anyway...
Any advice on the topic is appreciated.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,758
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
I don't have the specifics on the SGS with the +1.5 quart pan but I know on my 103" I don't worry about the hot check; only the cold oil level check. I want it no more than 3.5 hash marks on the stick; exactly half way on the stick. When I do an engine oil change that's just under 2 quarts for my bike.
Run the oil too high and you can start to have carryover problems. Check your stick when the bike is cold; half way on the stick, no more. That's the correct level, 88, 103, or a 120 engine...
Edit: do they have a different oil stick for the +1.5 quart pan? I have no clue on that. hummm...
Run the oil too high and you can start to have carryover problems. Check your stick when the bike is cold; half way on the stick, no more. That's the correct level, 88, 103, or a 120 engine...
Edit: do they have a different oil stick for the +1.5 quart pan? I have no clue on that. hummm...
Last edited by TinCupChalice; Jan 15, 2017 at 07:18 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,593
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
On a oil and filter change. Hit it with a three quarts. Start it up and when the oil light goes off, turn it off and let it set a few. Guess your's say, check on stand. Now top it to middle of stick. Next time, it's blistering hot. Top it off to top of stick mark. It will be fine till next oil change.
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,251
Likes: 3,990
From: Windwardside, Saba N.A.
I don't have the specifics on the SGS with the +1.5 quart pan but I know on my 103" I don't worry about the hot check; only the cold oil level check. I want it no more than 3.5 hash marks on the stick; exactly half way on the stick. When I do an engine oil change that's just under 2 quarts for my bike.
Run the oil too high and you can start to have carryover problems. Check your stick when the bike is cold; half way on the stick, no more. That's the correct level, 88, 103, or a 120 engine...
Edit: do they have a different oil stick for the +1.5 quart pan? I have no clue on that. hummm...
Run the oil too high and you can start to have carryover problems. Check your stick when the bike is cold; half way on the stick, no more. That's the correct level, 88, 103, or a 120 engine...
Edit: do they have a different oil stick for the +1.5 quart pan? I have no clue on that. hummm...
Don't know the answer about oil dipstick being different for the +1.5 quart oil pan. It was there when I had the motor built new at the dealer. The oil stick is the one with oil temperature indicator. Now it reads "Oil Level High" and that has my attention.
Breather lines are re-routed to a drip can.
I may drain off the extra oil and take it down as you recommend.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,758
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
My thinking was the extra 1/2 quart would improve cooling but after more thought I'm not so sure.
Don't know the answer about oil dipstick being different for the +1.5 quart oil pan. It was there when I had the motor built new at the dealer. The oil stick is the one with oil temperature indicator. Now it reads "Oil Level High" and that has my attention.
Breather lines are re-routed to a drip can.
I may drain off the extra oil and take it down as you recommend.
Don't know the answer about oil dipstick being different for the +1.5 quart oil pan. It was there when I had the motor built new at the dealer. The oil stick is the one with oil temperature indicator. Now it reads "Oil Level High" and that has my attention.
Breather lines are re-routed to a drip can.
I may drain off the extra oil and take it down as you recommend.
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
There is no difference IMHO in servicing your 120R from what the owners manual says for your stock bike. Having owned bikes for half a century I always fill to the half mark, then run the engine for a while and top up if required - then take a decent run out (helps if it's a nice day!) and finally check and top up when back home.
Ignore the quantity thing, fill to the dipstick - don't just pour in umpteen bottles of oil. Any quantities given in the manuals are simply a guide, in other words have at least that much to hand when refilling. All three holes have clear and unambiguous guidelines in the books on the correct level for us to fill up to. That way if you have a bigger oil tank the quantity required will obviously be more, but the level on the dip-stick is unchanged. Simples!
Ignore the quantity thing, fill to the dipstick - don't just pour in umpteen bottles of oil. Any quantities given in the manuals are simply a guide, in other words have at least that much to hand when refilling. All three holes have clear and unambiguous guidelines in the books on the correct level for us to fill up to. That way if you have a bigger oil tank the quantity required will obviously be more, but the level on the dip-stick is unchanged. Simples!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,251
Likes: 3,990
From: Windwardside, Saba N.A.
There is no difference IMHO in servicing your 120R from what the owners manual says for your stock bike. Having owned bikes for half a century I always fill to the half mark, then run the engine for a while and top up if required - then take a decent run out (helps if it's a nice day!) and finally check and top up when back home.
Ignore the quantity thing, fill to the dipstick - don't just pour in umpteen bottles of oil. Any quantities given in the manuals are simply a guide, in other words have at least that much to hand when refilling. All three holes have clear and unambiguous guidelines in the books on the correct level for us to fill up to. That way if you have a bigger oil tank the quantity required will obviously be more, but the level on the dip-stick is unchanged. Simples!
Ignore the quantity thing, fill to the dipstick - don't just pour in umpteen bottles of oil. Any quantities given in the manuals are simply a guide, in other words have at least that much to hand when refilling. All three holes have clear and unambiguous guidelines in the books on the correct level for us to fill up to. That way if you have a bigger oil tank the quantity required will obviously be more, but the level on the dip-stick is unchanged. Simples!
Pulled half-quart of oil out of the oil bag this morning with evacuation pump. Plan to ride one day this week, get engine up to temp and check oil level.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
fill low and run until hot, then top off until you are two dots down on the stick. running until hot will bring the oil level up on the stick so you can get a good level reading.