Oil Capacity question
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 13
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From: Las Vegas, NVJ
Oil Capacity question
Hope this question wont be dismissed as stupid and I can get an answer. I have a 09 FXDL Low Rider with a stock 96 cubic inch engine. The owners manual says it holds 3 quarts oil with a filter change. I also checked Google and get the same answer. I put exactly 3 quarts in and changed the filter. I then took it for a 20 minute ride to warm the oil. After letting it set for about a minute I checked the oil level and it shows to be way over full. I checked it while on the jiffy stand by removing the cap, wiping it clean and reinserting the cap by screwing it back as per the owners manual. I did that 3 times and it still shows over full. I checked it again this morning while cold and got the same results. I'm at a quandry as to whether or not to drain some oil or ride it as it is. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,558
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From: San Diego, CA
Did you drain the oil when the motor was warmed up, so all the oil is in the tank? If it's like an XL, you need the warm motor so as much oil as possible is in the tank, not drained back into the motor.
You can always take some out with a turkey baster or a cheap transfer pump from HF.
John
You can always take some out with a turkey baster or a cheap transfer pump from HF.
John
Last edited by John Harper; Sep 21, 2025 at 03:50 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: South Carolina
Never trust the service manual when it comes to capacities of oil, or primary, set the level by eye.
After you drain the oil (after running the engine for a while), refill to halfway up the stick, go for a ride, check it again, make a record of how much oil it actually took, now you will know how much to have on hand.
Same with primary and transmission.
After you drain the oil (after running the engine for a while), refill to halfway up the stick, go for a ride, check it again, make a record of how much oil it actually took, now you will know how much to have on hand.
Same with primary and transmission.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Massachusetts
Did you drain the oil when the motor was warmed up, so all the oil is in the tank? If it's like an XL, you need the warm motor so as much oil as possible is in the tank, not drained back into the motor.
You can always take some out with a turkey baster or a cheap transfer pump from HF.
John
You can always take some out with a turkey baster or a cheap transfer pump from HF.
John
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,496
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From: Pennsylvania
Hope this question wont be dismissed as stupid and I can get an answer. I have a 09 FXDL Low Rider with a stock 96 cubic inch engine. The owners manual says it holds 3 quarts oil with a filter change. I also checked Google and get the same answer. I put exactly 3 quarts in and changed the filter. I then took it for a 20 minute ride to warm the oil. After letting it set for about a minute I checked the oil level and it shows to be way over full. I checked it while on the jiffy stand by removing the cap, wiping it clean and reinserting the cap by screwing it back as per the owners manual. I did that 3 times and it still shows over full. I checked it again this morning while cold and got the same results. I'm at a quandry as to whether or not to drain some oil or ride it as it is. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
From your owner's manual:
NOTICE
Do not overfill oil. Doing so can result in oil carryover to the air cleaner leading to equipment damage and/or equipment malfunction. (00190b)
7. Refer to Maintenance and Lubrication → Engine Lubrication → Recommended Engine Oils . Fill oil pan with the correct amount of oil. Use the proper grade of oil for the lowest temperature expected before next oil change. Use 2.4 L (2.5 qt) of engine oil for a capacity refill.
Do not overfill oil. Doing so can result in oil carryover to the air cleaner leading to equipment damage and/or equipment malfunction. (00190b)
7. Refer to Maintenance and Lubrication → Engine Lubrication → Recommended Engine Oils . Fill oil pan with the correct amount of oil. Use the proper grade of oil for the lowest temperature expected before next oil change. Use 2.4 L (2.5 qt) of engine oil for a capacity refill.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 13
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From: Las Vegas, NVJ
Yes, I did run the engine for about 5 minutes before draining it. Maybe not long enough. Thanks for your suggestion I'll invest in a turkey baster.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Las Vegas, NVJ
I did read the owners manual and I don't see where it says anything about oil remaining in the passages. My mistake was blindly following the owners manual and adding the 3 quarts but I didn't want to risk damaging the engine starting it without the full 3 quarts in it. I'll follow the suggestion of using a turkey baster to withdraw some. Thanks for answering.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
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From: backwoods
I always followed factory manual on FLHs with no problems. I do recall factory manual was 1/2 quart lower than owners, I believe for one of mine .
For FLHs I have done them hot and cold, usually warm.
Ake sure for your exact year.
For FLHs I have done them hot and cold, usually warm.
Ake sure for your exact year.
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