Can someone tell me the potential damage to a HD Twin Cam if the crankcase is overfilled?

 

It may start pukeing out of the aircleaner but just go to the store and get one of those syphon gadgets and suck some out. No big deal. There are different kinds. Get the one that looks like a a rubber bulb with a tube attached.

 

I did that but in the mean time I travelled about 100 miles with it overfilled and now the engine isn't sounding all that great. It runs well...no backfiring etc but now I'm hearing a lot more "internal mechanical noise" from my engine. That's why I was wondering what the actual damage to the engine could be.

 

This is just my opinion. If you didn't puke any oil, the pistons didn't Hydro Lock. (which they didn't or it wouldn't run.) no leaks any where. You are probably more aware of the noises the engine makes bucause you think you may have damaged it. There are a lot of moving parts in there and they do make noise. (More noise if we think something is wrong.) The one sure way is to take it to a dealer and ask what could happen and have them listen to the motor.

 

Thanks Bear and by all means..........ride safe Bro.

 

I don't believe you did any damage to your bike by overfilling. The tank is just that, a tank. Oil circulated through the crankcase and back to the tank. Having more oil in the tank won't make more oil circulate through the crankcase. I suspect you are fine, just hearing things because you think you might have damaged something.

 

Thanks Old Geezer......appreciate it.

 

The fear of overfilling a crankcase is derived from the "wet sump" motor (your car). When you overfill a "wet sump", the engine crank can turn in the oil causing it to froth (aerate). This introduction of air into the oil dramatically reduces is lubrication and cooling capabilities. The crank turning in oil increases drag and lowers effeciency.
Your Harley is a dry sump! Oil is contained in a seperate tank and pumped through the motor and back to the tank. The tank is vented to prevent vapor lock. Worse thing that can happen overfilling is puking oil out the vent.

 

Geosieismic...................
Thanks for the info Bro. As I said earlier, they always caution you in BIG LETTERS not to over fill the darn thing and since I did and ran it for a hundred or so miles AND started to hear more noise from the engine, I was concerned.

Thanks again.

05 RoadKing Classic
Reinhart 2 into 1 exhaust
HD Race tuner..stage 2 upload
15K miles

 

overfilled mine by 1/4 quart. Just siphoned it back out with a huge syringe and aquarium tubing. No problems. I filled following the book (3 1/2 quarts) and it was too much. Next time, 3 quarts check and add if needed!!!