Question on Correct Engine Oil Checking Procedure
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
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Question on Correct Engine Oil Checking Procedure
The owners manual for my 2019 Road King states that I should idle on the sidestand for two minutes before checking the oil, otherwise I may end up overfilling it.
What I don't understand is this: The oil pump sump intake is on the right hand side of the crankcase, so if I idle on the sidestand there will be more than the "normal" amount of oil left in the crankcase -- this will give an artificially low reading on the dipstick. If I idle vertically the oil pump intake will pull all but the "normal" amount of oil from the crankcase and deliver it to the oil pan -- if I then stop the engine before putting the bike on the side stand, the dipstick reading will be about a half quart higher. I have verified this on my bike. It would seem that following the instructions in the manual actually risk overfilling the oil.
So -- could someone explain to me the logic of the procedure in the owners manual?
Here's what the Fueling Site says:
"OIL LEVEL NOTE - DO NOT OVERFILL OIL TANK
It is important to get the correct hot oil level in your bike. Feuling recommends running the oil level 90%-99% full when hot.
Note: The M-Eight oil pick up port is on the right side of the engine. Letting the bike idle or warm up on the kickstand will naturally fill the engine case and skew the oil level in the tank.
We recommend the following steps to achieve proper oil level:
1. Check cold oil level.
2. Ride the bike until operating temperature is reached.
3. Shut the bike off while still in the upright position. (This insures an accurate reading)
4. Once the bike is on the kickstand check oil level.
5. Add or remove oil as needed."
These appear to be totally contradictory -- has anyone gotten an explanation form a Service Manager or HD???
Thanks,
Dennis
What I don't understand is this: The oil pump sump intake is on the right hand side of the crankcase, so if I idle on the sidestand there will be more than the "normal" amount of oil left in the crankcase -- this will give an artificially low reading on the dipstick. If I idle vertically the oil pump intake will pull all but the "normal" amount of oil from the crankcase and deliver it to the oil pan -- if I then stop the engine before putting the bike on the side stand, the dipstick reading will be about a half quart higher. I have verified this on my bike. It would seem that following the instructions in the manual actually risk overfilling the oil.
So -- could someone explain to me the logic of the procedure in the owners manual?
Here's what the Fueling Site says:
"OIL LEVEL NOTE - DO NOT OVERFILL OIL TANK
It is important to get the correct hot oil level in your bike. Feuling recommends running the oil level 90%-99% full when hot.
Note: The M-Eight oil pick up port is on the right side of the engine. Letting the bike idle or warm up on the kickstand will naturally fill the engine case and skew the oil level in the tank.
We recommend the following steps to achieve proper oil level:
1. Check cold oil level.
2. Ride the bike until operating temperature is reached.
3. Shut the bike off while still in the upright position. (This insures an accurate reading)
4. Once the bike is on the kickstand check oil level.
5. Add or remove oil as needed."
These appear to be totally contradictory -- has anyone gotten an explanation form a Service Manager or HD???
Thanks,
Dennis
Last edited by hdrider1; May 2, 2019 at 01:03 PM. Reason: Added info from Fueling Website
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
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From: Las Vegas
No one can explain the logic. It's kinda like a manual for a wife, none of it makes sense. In over 50 years of checking dipsticks, if it's half way between the add and full mark, it's good. That's where I keep mine and nothing has exploded yet 
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,528
Likes: 30,847
From: Pennsylvania
See: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...a-i-think.html
And: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...-m-seeing.html
Read through those and you should get your answer.
And: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...-m-seeing.html
Read through those and you should get your answer.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,829
Likes: 8,737
From: Edmonton, Alberta
See: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...a-i-think.html
And: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...-m-seeing.html
Read through those and you should get your answer.
And: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...-m-seeing.html
Read through those and you should get your answer.
LOL every thread that dude starts turns into an epic fustercluck
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 587
Likes: 312
From: here n there
Maybe I'm giving them too much credit but seems like when HD came up with the check procedure they knew where the oil pump is located. They also knew there would be some oil left in the filter, cooler, crankcase, and passages and accounted for that.
Seems like they would calibrate the dipstick so that accounting for all the oil in places other than the pan and following the procedure would tell you if you have enough in the pan.
Edit: looks like Mchad made the same point while I was typing my long winded response.
Seems like they would calibrate the dipstick so that accounting for all the oil in places other than the pan and following the procedure would tell you if you have enough in the pan.
Edit: looks like Mchad made the same point while I was typing my long winded response.
Last edited by Buster217; May 2, 2019 at 03:44 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Camp Lejeune, NC
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I do it the way Fueling recommends, although I didn't know it was their recommendation. You've already proven to yourself that there's a half quart discrepancy between idling on the side stand or upright. So just make sure that when your riding the bike isn't over full. I other words, if you let it idle on the side stand don't fill the oil level to the top.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 667
Likes: 175
From: North Port Florida
[QUOTE=702;18227755]No one can explain the logic. It's kinda like a manual for a wife, none of it makes sense. In over 50 years of checking dipsticks, if it's half way between the add and full mark, it's good. That's where I keep mine and nothing has exploded yet [/QUOTE Theres a You Tube video I think called "Hot Matrix". Its by James Yeager, it totally explains every thing.
[/QUOTE Theres a You Tube video I think called "Hot Matrix". Its by James Yeager, it totally explains every thing.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 169
Likes: 12
From: alberta
I ride, usually put.the bike on the kickstand, shut it off, wait a couple minutes,check. I keep the oil about 1/2.to 3/4 full, four dots below full. I never fill it to full mark as no need and I find it runs better in the range I have it when I follow the oil change procedure and put in close to the recommendation amount.