Changing Oil Cold
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,983
Likes: 2,144
From: Ohio
Thanks everyone. Just to add, the bike had an oil change last May, and only has less than 1,000 miles on it since then. Yeah, I know, but I had some ruptured discs in my neck last summer and couldn't ride for a couple months. So, anyway, I'm thinking I'm gonna ride it a few miles before I change it, and do it warm. One of the reasons I wanted to change it soon is because I have a couple open quarts of Mobil One that were left over from about a year and half ago that I wanted to get in the engine before it went bad. How long will open bottles of oil be ok to use?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,460
Likes: 3,723
From: backwoods
I would not even change if only 1k miles, unless lots of short trips where not getting hot.
You are draining from oil pan not engine on new big twins. Cam chest and bottom end has oil left in it, and cooler if you have one.
You are draining from oil pan not engine on new big twins. Cam chest and bottom end has oil left in it, and cooler if you have one.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,175
Likes: 12,748
From: South Carolina
Change the oil when the oil has 5,000 miles on it.
Don`t change oil because you have the urge to tinker.
I agree with Ron, pull the battery, clean the posts and battery cable contact surfaces, and the surfaces they connect to.
Clean the starter relay contact surfaces.
While the battery is out, take it to an auto parts store and have it load tested.
Check the air pressure in the tires.
Check the moisture content in the brake fluid.
Have you inspected the cam chain tensioners?
Don`t change oil because you have the urge to tinker.
I agree with Ron, pull the battery, clean the posts and battery cable contact surfaces, and the surfaces they connect to.
Clean the starter relay contact surfaces.
While the battery is out, take it to an auto parts store and have it load tested.
Check the air pressure in the tires.
Check the moisture content in the brake fluid.
Have you inspected the cam chain tensioners?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Just fire it up and run It till the casing feels hot to scalding , then shut it off and drain it out. I've done plenty of late in the season snow on the ground service calls on bikes and that's how I handle it. Cold is not necessary and neither is having to run it for a few miles.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8,158
Likes: 9,567
From: central NC
I changed mine last week. Warmed it up good first like the FSM says.
Once I had the filter off, cleaned up the mess I make... repeatedly...every time, it was now cold.
I think I’ll just start cold next time.
Once I had the filter off, cleaned up the mess I make... repeatedly...every time, it was now cold.
I think I’ll just start cold next time.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 10,767
From: SE Michigan
i'm curious, where in the manual does it warn you not to do that? I'm confused
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,983
Likes: 2,144
From: Ohio
Change the oil when the oil has 5,000 miles on it.
Don`t change oil because you have the urge to tinker.
I agree with Ron, pull the battery, clean the posts and battery cable contact surfaces, and the surfaces they connect to.
Clean the starter relay contact surfaces.
While the battery is out, take it to an auto parts store and have it load tested.
Check the air pressure in the tires.
Check the moisture content in the brake fluid.
Have you inspected the cam chain tensioners?
Don`t change oil because you have the urge to tinker.
I agree with Ron, pull the battery, clean the posts and battery cable contact surfaces, and the surfaces they connect to.
Clean the starter relay contact surfaces.
While the battery is out, take it to an auto parts store and have it load tested.
Check the air pressure in the tires.
Check the moisture content in the brake fluid.
Have you inspected the cam chain tensioners?
Air pressure.... Checked
Brake fluid... Checked
Tensioners.... Already replaced
It's supposed to be warming up in the next few days. Changing it tomorrow. Cold. Thanks for all the replies!