I have a 2008 Softail Deluxe with 100,000+ miles. I use 20W50 full synthetic. Recently went on a ride and was caught up in a traffic jam on a 95+ degree day with no breeze. The bike shut down and spewed out some oil from the oil tank filler. I moved the bike out of traffic and let it cool down for an hour+. It started up fine and made it home OK. No noticeable issues, smoke or noises except the engine seemed very hot imho after just 15 minutes to the house.

I proceeded to replace all 3 lubricants after this. After running the bike for about 6 minutes (again without any noticeable concerns), I drained and replaced the lubricants and oil filter as I have done before. Lastly, I added about 2.5 quarts of oil for the engine to do the scavenging as I've done before. The oil pump removed the scavenged old oil but no new oil was replacing it. The oil tank is still at the same level after scavenging.

Any guidance as to what is wrong would be greatly appreciated. I am ready to open up the crankcase if needed. My thoughts are a clogged line or strainer, bad oil pump??? FYI, all 3 magnetic plugs were clean(?), some metal dust but no chips.

footloose

 

Please explain exactly how you are doing this scavenging thing.....

 

A new member for 11 years?????

 

It is a Softail, the tank is supposed to be full and the crankcase empty. Harley's are dry sump engines where the case remains mostly empty and the oil is held in a separate, remote location.

 

So what?

 

To scavenge, I pulled the plug wires and removed the return oil line. The motor was then turned over for a few seconds to pump out the old oil and to pull in the new as has been done in the past. This was done twice to remove the old oil and after each I checked the oil tank level which did not change. I did not notice the oil light and did not see any oil moving in the oil tank. I also pulled the new filter and found it dry.

 

I would reconnect the return line and start the engine, make sure oil pressure is good, look into tank to verify oil is returning to the tank.

Set the oil to the correct level and ride.

There is no reason to screw around with removing oil lines etc. for an oil change.

It may give you the warm fuzzy feeling, but it is of zero benefit.

 

That right there is your problem. No reason what so ever to be doing that.