Sumping scare. What dealer told me
#1
07-21-2018, 01:57 PM
Sumping scare. What dealer told me
I checked my trans fluid and no fluid registered on dipstick. Added fluid and brought it up to proper level. The next day I called the dealer and told him what I did. I asked him if I should be worried about sumping. He told me my bike is probably sumping. He told me to take a turkey baister and suck the fluid back out. The fluid should barely touch the dipstick, disregard the marking on the stick. He told me to pull my primary derby cover and fluid will leak out everywhere but it will then be back to normal level. Luckily for me my primary level was fine, I’m not sumping. He told me that filling to the level indicated on the dipstick is causing a vortex and draining into the primary. He told me to keep my trans level barely touching dipstick and it won’t create that vortex. He said that it was probably set up that way on purpose upon purchase. He said that Harley is aware of the problem and is working on a solution. Maybe a new dipstick, lol. Also, he said that the trans is fine with 4 ounces of oil.
#3
07-21-2018, 02:27 PM
The following 5 users liked this post by smitty901:
dave the welder (07-21-2018),
eanspratt (07-10-2021),
fullautomike (07-22-2018),
PFWiz (07-22-2018),
plongson (09-06-2019)
#4
07-21-2018, 02:43 PM
why do I keep reading about transmission oil draining into primary on this forum under sumping? Dealer is a known reputable dealer in my area with a former famous bike builder as co-owner. I’m not doubting you but now I’m really confused
#5
07-21-2018, 02:54 PM
Road Captain
SImply because the vast majority of people on here are not mechanics. Im not either. An just because your dealer has respectable people owning it or whatever doesnt mean they actually turn the wrenches. Im sure the lead tech at the dealership is pretty sharp. But i bet he doesnt do alot of actual wrenching. You run into this in alot of shops. The best ones are behind a desk. Unless you find a self employeed indy that doesnt work well with others and chooses to not only run a buisness but do the work too. They are hard to find if this makes since.
#6
07-21-2018, 03:00 PM
SImply because the vast majority of people on here are not mechanics. Im not either. An just because your dealer has respectable people owning it or whatever doesnt mean they actually turn the wrenches. Im sure the lead tech at the dealership is pretty sharp. But i bet he doesnt do alot of actual wrenching. You run into this in alot of shops. The best ones are behind a desk. Unless you find a self employeed indy that doesnt work well with others and chooses to not only run a buisness but do the work too. They are hard to find if this makes since.
#7
07-21-2018, 03:03 PM
First thing, the migration of fluid from the transmission to the primary is transfer, not sumping. Sumping is a condition where the oil pump fails to scavenge the crankcase allowing oil to build up in the crankcase. I’m not dissing you, this is for your and anyone else’s information that is confused on these two things.
Next thing, your dealer is full of crap. A vortex? There’s a pretty good indication that the transmission is indeed pushing the oil into the primary, but running the transmission low on oil isn’t going to stop the transfer.
Now did he say it was Ok to run the transmission 4 oz. low or with only 4 oz. of fluid in it. Four ounces low probably won’t hurt anything, but running it with only four ounces will probably crater the transmission pretty quickly.
As for the primary, the oil should not be anywhere near running out the derby cover. It’s supposed to be just cover the bottom of the clutch about a quarter to a half inch.
Next thing, your dealer is full of crap. A vortex? There’s a pretty good indication that the transmission is indeed pushing the oil into the primary, but running the transmission low on oil isn’t going to stop the transfer.
Now did he say it was Ok to run the transmission 4 oz. low or with only 4 oz. of fluid in it. Four ounces low probably won’t hurt anything, but running it with only four ounces will probably crater the transmission pretty quickly.
As for the primary, the oil should not be anywhere near running out the derby cover. It’s supposed to be just cover the bottom of the clutch about a quarter to a half inch.
Last edited by $tonecold; 07-21-2018 at 03:06 PM.
Trending Topics
#8
07-21-2018, 03:12 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
I checked my trans fluid and no fluid registered on dipstick. Added fluid and brought it up to proper level. The next day I called the dealer and told him what I did. I asked him if I should be worried about sumping. He told me my bike is probably sumping. He told me to take a turkey baister and suck the fluid back out. The fluid should barely touch the dipstick, disregard the marking on the stick. He told me to pull my primary derby cover and fluid will leak out everywhere but it will then be back to normal level. Luckily for me my primary level was fine, I’m not sumping. He told me that filling to the level indicated on the dipstick is causing a vortex and draining into the primary. He told me to keep my trans level barely touching dipstick and it won’t create that vortex. He said that it was probably set up that way on purpose upon purchase. He said that Harley is aware of the problem and is working on a solution. Maybe a new dipstick, lol. Also, he said that the trans is fine with 4 ounces of oil.
The following 2 users liked this post by tbob:
Eccool (09-06-2019),
EdsRoadGlide2017 (09-09-2019)
#9
07-21-2018, 03:20 PM
Sumping is an Engine Oil issue.
Any dealer that did not know the difference should never be visited again. And anyone that say 4 oz is enough lube is nuts.
#10
07-21-2018, 03:26 PM
Seasoned HDF Member