M8 problems
Novice
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Peoria, AZ
Still leaking oil
After a really nice 600 mile run, the air cleaner, top of the timing cover, pipes, and bases of the push rod tubes are once again covered in oil, so it's back for try number four with the dealer.
In other posts, I see some similar problems but no definitive answer yet. I've posted some pics this time that look like others I've seen on other boards. The first two attempts were replacing o-rings and on the third I was told, "We found the breather line pinched." I have 4,400 on the bike and we're back in ever 1k so far. It seems to leak on longer highway runs rather than on stop & go city driving. Not gonna wash the bike before I take it in either.
Any other thoughts or suggestions before I take it back with a mandate?
Thanks!
In other posts, I see some similar problems but no definitive answer yet. I've posted some pics this time that look like others I've seen on other boards. The first two attempts were replacing o-rings and on the third I was told, "We found the breather line pinched." I have 4,400 on the bike and we're back in ever 1k so far. It seems to leak on longer highway runs rather than on stop & go city driving. Not gonna wash the bike before I take it in either.
Any other thoughts or suggestions before I take it back with a mandate?
Thanks!
Last edited by Fairkid; Apr 7, 2017 at 10:47 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,591
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
After a really nice 600 mile run, the air cleaner, top of the timing cover, pipes, and bases of the push rod tubes are once again covered in oil, so it's back for try number four with the dealer.
In other posts, I see some similar problems but no definitive answer yet. I've posted some pics this time that look like others I've seen on other boards. The first two attempts were replacing o-rings and on the third I was told, "We found the breather line pinched." I have 4,400 on the bike and we're back in ever 1k so far. It seems to leak on longer highway runs rather than on stop & go city driving. Not gonna wash the bike before I take it in either.
Any other thoughts or suggestions before I take it back with a mandate?
Thanks!
In other posts, I see some similar problems but no definitive answer yet. I've posted some pics this time that look like others I've seen on other boards. The first two attempts were replacing o-rings and on the third I was told, "We found the breather line pinched." I have 4,400 on the bike and we're back in ever 1k so far. It seems to leak on longer highway runs rather than on stop & go city driving. Not gonna wash the bike before I take it in either.
Any other thoughts or suggestions before I take it back with a mandate?
Thanks!
Since they have looked 3 times, if must be internal with either a problem with excess blowby from piston rings dumping oil into breather box. It could possible be a piece of trash blocking the drain hole back to the sump in the rocker arm box. Excess blow-by or high oil level in the head is going to dump raw oil into the vent system by simple overwelming the 180 turn baffle and filter screen designed to catch liquid oil as blow-by exits the one way out poppet valve and vents the air into the air filter box. That air is drawn into engine. The air flow into the engine does not pull in liquid oil and it drops down. As designed, previous models could hold this oil in air filter box. Make sure you gasket on air filter box looks OK. It only takes few drops to make big mess. You air filter box just could be letting outside air in bypassing filter element if something is not right with it.
The vent baffle in the head with the 180 turn and filter mesh has one way out poppet valves. They are only there to stop reversal air dor that brief overlap in the piston travel, so it's not that.
Before you take it in, open the airfilter box and see if it's full of oil. If it is, it's one of the above.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Apr 7, 2017 at 11:33 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
Bought the M8 Road Glide Special a few weeks ago in that green gold or whatever they call it. It's been raining alot in NY so I only put about 200 miles on the bike so far. I have to say Harley really did a great job. I had previously bought new a Road King FLHRC in 2011 with the 103 and ABS, but the 2017 M8 is just on a whole other level. I had the dealer change the Handlebars and put on the Chizeled Handlebars and also install the stage 2 BOOM. I really like the bike, I've been commuting to work on it every day about 25 miles a day not a'lot the only complaint is even with the stage 2 BOOM upgrade the radio sound is terrible. I put on Rineharts 4" for a week and then took them off, it just made the bike to loud and the stereo completely unusable. So if anyone is interested in a new pair of 4" Rinharts for the 2017 touring let me know, i put about 100 miles on the bike before i took them off, the Stock Pipes actually sound really good. The only other thing I could say is, it took me about a week to get use to the hydraulic clutch and understanding there is no adjustment, so it is what is it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,925
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
After a really nice 600 mile run, the air cleaner, top of the timing cover, pipes, and bases of the push rod tubes are once again covered in oil, so it's back for try number four with the dealer.
In other posts, I see some similar problems but no definitive answer yet. I've posted some pics this time that look like others I've seen on other boards. The first two attempts were replacing o-rings and on the third I was told, "We found the breather line pinched." I have 4,400 on the bike and we're back in ever 1k so far. It seems to leak on longer highway runs rather than on stop & go city driving. Not gonna wash the bike before I take it in either.
Any other thoughts or suggestions before I take it back with a mandate?
Thanks!
In other posts, I see some similar problems but no definitive answer yet. I've posted some pics this time that look like others I've seen on other boards. The first two attempts were replacing o-rings and on the third I was told, "We found the breather line pinched." I have 4,400 on the bike and we're back in ever 1k so far. It seems to leak on longer highway runs rather than on stop & go city driving. Not gonna wash the bike before I take it in either.
Any other thoughts or suggestions before I take it back with a mandate?
Thanks!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 128
Puking oil
Two things come to mind:
1. Someone has put too much oil in the air filter if it is a K&N type Stage I air cleaner. It takes less oil than what you would think.
2. Too much oil in crankcase. I see where you are riding in a warm climate. Oil expands when it gets hot. It has to go somewhere so it usually pukes out the air filter.
1. Someone has put too much oil in the air filter if it is a K&N type Stage I air cleaner. It takes less oil than what you would think.
2. Too much oil in crankcase. I see where you are riding in a warm climate. Oil expands when it gets hot. It has to go somewhere so it usually pukes out the air filter.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 843
Likes: 43
From: Louisiana
After a really nice 600 mile run, the air cleaner, top of the timing cover, pipes, and bases of the push rod tubes are once again covered in oil, so it's back for try number four with the dealer.
In other posts, I see some similar problems but no definitive answer yet. I've posted some pics this time that look like others I've seen on other boards. The first two attempts were replacing o-rings and on the third I was told, "We found the breather line pinched." I have 4,400 on the bike and we're back in ever 1k so far. It seems to leak on longer highway runs rather than on stop & go city driving. Not gonna wash the bike before I take it in either.
Any other thoughts or suggestions before I take it back with a mandate?
Thanks!
In other posts, I see some similar problems but no definitive answer yet. I've posted some pics this time that look like others I've seen on other boards. The first two attempts were replacing o-rings and on the third I was told, "We found the breather line pinched." I have 4,400 on the bike and we're back in ever 1k so far. It seems to leak on longer highway runs rather than on stop & go city driving. Not gonna wash the bike before I take it in either.
Any other thoughts or suggestions before I take it back with a mandate?
Thanks!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
I feel for ya. I've got just over 7k on my bike and now it just started the same thing this past week. I changed the oil 2k ago and was careful not to over service it. I pulled the filter and cleaned it completely. Cleaned up the backing plate and TB throat and took it for a 100 mile ride. Pulled the filter again and already had a trail of oil on the backing plate and a small puddle of oil on the bottom of the filter. I've got an appointment this Thursday at the dealer.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 843
Likes: 43
From: Louisiana
It's mid way when stone cold and at the full mark when hot. I've had 3 twin cams since 2002 and none did this. I normally kept them all at full when hot. Well at least when I did an oil change. Never really had to add oil between changes. My last CVO did start dripping oil out of the filter at about 30k miles but replacing the breather valve in the rear cylinder cured the problem.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 155
Likes: 29
From: Ft Campbell, KY
Had a strange one yesterday and today. Turned on the bike (2500 miles) and the oil light stayed on. Shut it down checked oil, all good. Started again all normal. Today did the same but I decided to not worry about it. After about 5 miles and not turning off I got worried and pulled over and turned bike off and re started it... oil light turned off and all good again. No change in motor sound etc.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
Had a strange one yesterday and today. Turned on the bike (2500 miles) and the oil light stayed on. Shut it down checked oil, all good. Started again all normal. Today did the same but I decided to not worry about it. After about 5 miles and not turning off I got worried and pulled over and turned bike off and re started it... oil light turned off and all good again. No change in motor sound etc.