Changing Oil Cold
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,258
Likes: 4,947
From: England
Where is the oil drain plug? If it is at the bottom of the engine it will drain faster when hot but probably can be done whilst cold.
How many miles has the oil done and what is your usual riding pattern? I doubt it will make any difference if you take the bike out and get the oil warmed up with a 10 to 15 mile ride.
My sportster with its separate oil tank needs the engine to have been run for a bit to scavenge the oil out of the crank case.
How many miles has the oil done and what is your usual riding pattern? I doubt it will make any difference if you take the bike out and get the oil warmed up with a 10 to 15 mile ride.
My sportster with its separate oil tank needs the engine to have been run for a bit to scavenge the oil out of the crank case.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Mar 14, 2023 at 10:17 AM.
Last time I changed my oil, it was cold. First Ive done it, because well thats what was handy for me to do at the time. And Ill tell you the oil filter removal makes a lot less mess. I let it drain for about an hour, Ill say after the first 15min it was a very very slow drip then, to virtually nothing.
if the bike has been sitting for an extended time period, I see zero problem. Yeah it may not get ALL the little build up and sediments suspended in the oil like you would get with a hot change, but all that gets picked up and caught in your fresh oil filter again on the first run IMO. Now I wouldnt do oil changes cold every time, but one every now and then isnt hurting a damn thing.
if the bike has been sitting for an extended time period, I see zero problem. Yeah it may not get ALL the little build up and sediments suspended in the oil like you would get with a hot change, but all that gets picked up and caught in your fresh oil filter again on the first run IMO. Now I wouldnt do oil changes cold every time, but one every now and then isnt hurting a damn thing.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
Drain it, if you really have time, leave it a day, overnight, not two or three days.
As noted, not rocket surgery. Hot oil is recommended as we all can understand, I hope so at least, that all the oil should be at the bottom drain area. Right? Same concept for a bike thats sat for weeks, months, the oil will be at the bottom drain area. It will drain about as quick as the fresh cold oil you put in it after draining it. There isnt no special reason outside hot oil drains a bit quicker. After weeks of sitting youre not going to get any less oil cold draining versus doing it hot. Gravity has yet to be countered. Ride On!
As noted, not rocket surgery. Hot oil is recommended as we all can understand, I hope so at least, that all the oil should be at the bottom drain area. Right? Same concept for a bike thats sat for weeks, months, the oil will be at the bottom drain area. It will drain about as quick as the fresh cold oil you put in it after draining it. There isnt no special reason outside hot oil drains a bit quicker. After weeks of sitting youre not going to get any less oil cold draining versus doing it hot. Gravity has yet to be countered. Ride On!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,001
Likes: 11,441
Some times you have to do what you have to do. The world will not end if you change it cold now and then.
The bike will not blow up or suffer damage. Let it drain until it is done. Keep in mind it may take a little less oil when you fill it.
No big deal if you wait either. take it for a ride when weather gets nice ,change the oil not like it takes all day.
The bike will not blow up or suffer damage. Let it drain until it is done. Keep in mind it may take a little less oil when you fill it.
No big deal if you wait either. take it for a ride when weather gets nice ,change the oil not like it takes all day.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,674
Likes: 11,463
From: State of Confusion
if you plan on changing cold at least let it idle for a couple minutes after your last ride to scavenge as much dirtier oil back into the oil tank as possible
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,683
Likes: 3,977
From: Near Yosemite
I read somewhere that cold oil changes are actually better, especially after sitting all winter, because all the oil is drained to the bottom and all the contaminants are down in the bottom end too. Starting the bike will just redistribute them into the top of the engine.
Edit..... Not saying that dumping what you have in there now as it sits is bad, just saying it's better hot. ANY oil change is better than NO oil change!
Last edited by MotoJockey; Mar 14, 2023 at 11:06 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 280
Likes: 96
From: DFW Texas
The only problem of changing cold is if the bike is one that lets oil back into the crankcase over time (oil pump check ball issue). When you drain the tank, you will leave oil in the crankcase. And when you start it up later, the extra oil will pump back into the tank and over fill (more so on evo's etc)
Other than that, I really don't think it matters, just let it drain for a while.
Other than that, I really don't think it matters, just let it drain for a while.