checking oil level when cold
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 223
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From: Southwest Ohio
checking oil level when cold
Since I put Big Radius pipes on my 06 Wide Glide it's hard to get to the dipstick while the pipes are hot without getting burned. Dealer said the correct way to check the level is to do it while motor's hot. Anyone know what the dipstick should show if checked cold? I'm tired of getting finger's burned.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Alleghany Co., NC and SW Florida
RE: checking oil level when cold
It should register "between the upper and lower level of the dipstick". In other words , in the middle. I noticed on my Wideglide with synthetic oil, it measured full all the time, hot or cold. My Roadglide measures full hot and a little over dead center cold. Don't know why but center of dipstick is fine cold. Check it once hot, after making sure it is at least at the middle point on the stick cold and use that as a gauge.
EZ
EZ
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
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From:
RE: checking oil level when cold
Get a nice pair of heat gloves, they are thin enough to use in tight areas and protects your skin from the hot metal surface of the pipes.
I will let the bike cool for about 20 mins before I check, engine is still plenty hot.
I will let the bike cool for about 20 mins before I check, engine is still plenty hot.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 223
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From: Southwest Ohio
RE: checking oil level when cold
Thanks for the tips. I do run syntheticoil. Mine shows full when hot but I have not checked itfor a couple weeks. Today I checked it cold and it showed about 1/4 down from the full mark.I'll ride tomorrow and check it hot and see where it's at and use that for a gauge. I might get a pair of those heat gloves too.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: checking oil level when cold
When checking the oil"cold" it's wise to remember that there can be a difference between checking it after it's cooled off a couple of hours vs. after the bike has been sitting for a few days or more. It's not uncommon over time to have oil leak down past the check valve into the sump and this can cause you to get a lower than real oil level reading.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 508
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From: Dubai
RE: checking oil level when cold
Mine reads full when cold & full when hot, is that bad??? is it overfilled?
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
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From: High in the Rockies
RE: checking oil level when cold
rebel - if it's overfilled you will most likely find some oil in your air filter from the breather tubes. it usually goes to the bottom of the filter. check that.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 765
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From: Alleghany Co., NC and SW Florida
RE: checking oil level when cold
Rebel, on my 04 Wideglide, running Amsoil 20/50 it read the same hot and cold, always at the full mark. I don't know why but my bagger (06) Running syn, shows full hot and a tad over the half way point on the stick after sitting overnight. Oil does expand but maybe if the total capacity is only three qts, it doesn't expand enough (at least a good synthetic) to change the reading.
I wouldn't worry or obsess about it, I think its a GOOD thing.
EZ
I wouldn't worry or obsess about it, I think its a GOOD thing.
EZ