checking oil level when cold
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,706
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From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
RE: checking oil level when cold
Sorry guys but fluid expands when hot. Can't be the same reading. It's about 1/4" diff on my fxstc between cold and hot. I alway use the hot check in case some drained past the check valve since last ride.
Ron
Ron
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 765
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From: Alleghany Co., NC and SW Florida
RE: checking oil level when cold
Well whatever the reason, several folks have experienced the full hot and full cold thing with synthetics. I've had Harleys for lots of years and when the WG used dino, it expanded from the halfway( a bit over)point to full mark when hot. At 1K it got Syn III from the dealer and still went from a bit over half to full when hot. the Amsoil 20/50 ran full hot and the level stayed full cold (overnight). It went through several oil changes (20K on it when I sold it) always had Amsoil from the 5K mark on AND I know how to use a dipstick. Others here have reported the same phenomena. Don't know why but it happens. Agree the expansion happens too, I see it with my Roadglide which now has 16 K plus on it and has always read higher by nearly half the dipstick measuring zone hot. Both bikes were always checked on the sidestand, with synthetic and in the samelevel spot with the bars straight.
I use Redline 20/60 now so maybe the Amsoil "religious thing" has played a role in this!!!!!![sm=grinangel.gif]
EZ[sm=happybounce.gif]
I use Redline 20/60 now so maybe the Amsoil "religious thing" has played a role in this!!!!!![sm=grinangel.gif]
EZ[sm=happybounce.gif]
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,706
Likes: 7
From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
RE: checking oil level when cold
Although I do get about 1/4" between cold and an average of 220 degrees hot reading with 20/50 Amsoil at the moment, it's always been constant. Knowing this, I don't have a problem with a cold check if needed and wouldn't worry about it. However if it reads 1/2 inch low, I'd start the engine for a few seconds and do a recheck, cold. Sucks putting too much in, should by some fluke oil got by the check valve once. I agree that the original dino oil may have expanded more possibly from the chain molecule formula that it uses.
Bottom line is get to know your own personal ride,and oil behaviours. Not all are alike, especially the A and B motor setups, but at least in my case the hot and cold variance and remained constant and reliable.
Ron
Bottom line is get to know your own personal ride,and oil behaviours. Not all are alike, especially the A and B motor setups, but at least in my case the hot and cold variance and remained constant and reliable.
Ron
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May 17, 2019 04:21 PM
