SYN 3 is CRAP!!!!!!!
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
RE: SYN 3 is CRAP!!!!!!!
I know that using the HD Synthetic doesn't void the warranty, but have heard that using others such as Amsoil will void the warranty. My wrench recommends against using the HD synthetic (he says stick with regular HD oil) and mentioned the problem with slippage/uneven wear. Anyone know about the warranty?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,473
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: SYN 3 is CRAP!!!!!!!
ORIGINAL: patriotmc
I know that using the HD Synthetic doesn't void the warranty, but have heard that using others such as Amsoil will void the warranty. My wrench recommends against using the HD synthetic (he says stick with regular HD oil) and mentioned the problem with slippage/uneven wear. Anyone know about the warranty?
I know that using the HD Synthetic doesn't void the warranty, but have heard that using others such as Amsoil will void the warranty. My wrench recommends against using the HD synthetic (he says stick with regular HD oil) and mentioned the problem with slippage/uneven wear. Anyone know about the warranty?
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
RE: SYN 3 is CRAP!!!!!!!
Thank you all for the detailed responses and in-depth explanations. I have no technical/mechanical explanation to give; but, I can say that after my 1000 mile service and having the stealer add Syn3 to all three holes, theengine and transmissionsound much noisier.Until, I read this, I thought it had something to do with the SE air cleaner and the Stage 1 download.
Guess I will be picking up some Amsoil and Redline. I appreciate the simplified testimonial to that combination at the end.
Only problem I have is I am not quite certain how to perform these maintenances (feel like a wuss telling that, but, it's been a long time since I have had an engine I could actually work on.) Anyone know if there is anything on the forum with detailed instructions on performing these services?
Thanks again for the good advice. I'm also going to have synthetic oil added to my Ram. Any suggestions or testimonials there?
Ride Safe
Guess I will be picking up some Amsoil and Redline. I appreciate the simplified testimonial to that combination at the end.
Only problem I have is I am not quite certain how to perform these maintenances (feel like a wuss telling that, but, it's been a long time since I have had an engine I could actually work on.) Anyone know if there is anything on the forum with detailed instructions on performing these services?
Thanks again for the good advice. I'm also going to have synthetic oil added to my Ram. Any suggestions or testimonials there?
Ride Safe
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 5
From: Oregon
RE: SYN 3 is CRAP!!!!!!!
I changed out my trans fluid to Amsoil 75-90w gear oil on the 5th and tonight the 9th I changed out the syn3 primary and motor's oil to 20w-50 Amsoil. See how it does tomorrow.
took 3 quarts in my motor and 1 quart in my primary and almost 1 quart of gear oil in my trans
took 3 quarts in my motor and 1 quart in my primary and almost 1 quart of gear oil in my trans
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 5
From: Oregon
RE: SYN 3 is CRAP!!!!!!!
Trans Fluid:
1. Put drain pan under bike
2. undo the drain plug (07 softail is in between the bottom shocks)
3. drain, clean up plug
4. torque plug back in with good new rubber seal or old if not damaged (teflon tape a bit if u want)
5. fill trany full of (almost one quart) through the tranys dipstick(upper side of transmission)
Primary:
1. Put drain pan under bike
2. undo the drain plug under primary cover
3. drain compleatly, clean drain plug
4. torque back drain plug in
5. remove derby cover and gasket sealer
6. fill primary with one quart of oil
7. put back gasket sealer if in good condition
8. put back primary derby cover (refer to manual)
Motor Oil:
1. Warm up bike (if u really want too, I do)
2. take out oil dipstick
3. put pan under drain plug (bottom frame plug on right)
4. undo drain plug, drain completely
5. put a plastic or such oil guard on bike near Oil Filter
6. undo oil filter, and drain it
7. clean up any mess where oil filter goes
8. put clean oil around gasket on new oil filter
9. hand tighten oil filter, then back off a 1/4 turn then tighten 3/4 turn more
10. put back oil drain plug..torque it to spec
11. fill bike with 3 quarts of oil in where oil dipstick goes
12. start bike and check for leaks
13. check tires for any oil split on them.. dangerous..or ground..clean up well or maybe SLIP.. not good
14. check oil level after bike is warm (best to ride it to get it warm)
This is all for my bike an 07 fatboy..your bike might differ..buy a service manual..best 50bucks you will spend on ur bike.
1. Put drain pan under bike
2. undo the drain plug (07 softail is in between the bottom shocks)
3. drain, clean up plug
4. torque plug back in with good new rubber seal or old if not damaged (teflon tape a bit if u want)
5. fill trany full of (almost one quart) through the tranys dipstick(upper side of transmission)
Primary:
1. Put drain pan under bike
2. undo the drain plug under primary cover
3. drain compleatly, clean drain plug
4. torque back drain plug in
5. remove derby cover and gasket sealer
6. fill primary with one quart of oil
7. put back gasket sealer if in good condition
8. put back primary derby cover (refer to manual)
Motor Oil:
1. Warm up bike (if u really want too, I do)
2. take out oil dipstick
3. put pan under drain plug (bottom frame plug on right)
4. undo drain plug, drain completely
5. put a plastic or such oil guard on bike near Oil Filter
6. undo oil filter, and drain it
7. clean up any mess where oil filter goes
8. put clean oil around gasket on new oil filter
9. hand tighten oil filter, then back off a 1/4 turn then tighten 3/4 turn more
10. put back oil drain plug..torque it to spec
11. fill bike with 3 quarts of oil in where oil dipstick goes
12. start bike and check for leaks
13. check tires for any oil split on them.. dangerous..or ground..clean up well or maybe SLIP.. not good
14. check oil level after bike is warm (best to ride it to get it warm)
This is all for my bike an 07 fatboy..your bike might differ..buy a service manual..best 50bucks you will spend on ur bike.
Novice
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From:
RE: SYN 3 is CRAP!!!!!!!
ORIGINAL: streetglide88
Mobil 1...Mobil 1... Mobil 1...
Mobil 1...Mobil 1... Mobil 1...
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RE: SYN 3 is CRAP!!!!!!!
ORIGINAL: SJ12DS
I know most of you already know this, but I had to say it anyway. I only put SYN 3 in my engine and not in my primary or trans. I don't think that one oil fits all is is smart to begin with and to have Harley originally market SYN 3 for use in all three holes is stupid on their part as well. Must be the book smart, overpaid, college kids that know nothing about oil making the decisions at HD. (Nothing wrong with College) don't get me wrong here. I have been doing maintenance on my bikes since 1986 and 1996 on Harleys with my 883 and now with my Springer Classic. I don't trust any of the dealers that I have known to work on my bike. People don't seem to take care of your stuff like you would take care of it. Well anyway I put SYN 3 in my engine and ran it about 2000 miles. With SYN 3 the engine was very loud and seemed to burn or disapear over a short time but there was no oil burning out my exaust or on my spark plugs. It also seemed to turn very dark quicker than the HD 360 that I had been using. I switched back to HD 360 at my 5,000 mile service and have noticed a quieter engine and the oil still looks good on the dip stick. I know that alot of you swear by Synthetic oil, but if the rest of the Synthetics are anything like SYN 3 then you can keep them and I'll stick to the lower priced, engine quieting, performance enhancing and non disapearing Dino oil that is in my bike right now. Peace.
I know most of you already know this, but I had to say it anyway. I only put SYN 3 in my engine and not in my primary or trans. I don't think that one oil fits all is is smart to begin with and to have Harley originally market SYN 3 for use in all three holes is stupid on their part as well. Must be the book smart, overpaid, college kids that know nothing about oil making the decisions at HD. (Nothing wrong with College) don't get me wrong here. I have been doing maintenance on my bikes since 1986 and 1996 on Harleys with my 883 and now with my Springer Classic. I don't trust any of the dealers that I have known to work on my bike. People don't seem to take care of your stuff like you would take care of it. Well anyway I put SYN 3 in my engine and ran it about 2000 miles. With SYN 3 the engine was very loud and seemed to burn or disapear over a short time but there was no oil burning out my exaust or on my spark plugs. It also seemed to turn very dark quicker than the HD 360 that I had been using. I switched back to HD 360 at my 5,000 mile service and have noticed a quieter engine and the oil still looks good on the dip stick. I know that alot of you swear by Synthetic oil, but if the rest of the Synthetics are anything like SYN 3 then you can keep them and I'll stick to the lower priced, engine quieting, performance enhancing and non disapearing Dino oil that is in my bike right now. Peace.
The fact that an oil gets dark quickly dosen't make it a bad oil, sometimes it may show just the opposite. A good oil removes deposits in the engine and holds the smaller particles in suspension, carrying the larger particles to get caught in the oil filter. Putting a good oil in an older engine may turn the oil black very quickly, but that shows its just doing its job.
As for noise, well if you filled your engine with straight 90 weight oil it would probably run quieter, but it wouldnt be doing your engine any good, and at start up where most of engine wear takes place, it wouldn't be circulating very well.
Oils have to do a multitude of tasks, lubricate, neutralize acids, clean, resist compression, cool, etc. etc. Its the whole package which counts, some oils may market their product by concentrating on certain aspects of their ois, areas in which they may well excell, but that dosent make them the best oils for me. Its about balance, I would rather use an oil which was average accross the board than one which was #1 in one area but below average everywhere else, an extreem I know but hopefully you get what I mean.
Use what you like, I do, and if it make you or me happy, isnt that what its about.
Happy trails
WB