I just did an oil change and put in the amount of oil the manual specified. Here's the problem. When I checked the level it's above the high mark. Is the engine going to suck in some oil once I turn it on or should I drain it so it's below the upper level mark? If I should drain it, then why is there oil still left in there and why does the manual say to put in 3.4 quarts?

 

You haven't been doing your reading

Always run the softails and sporties at idle for a minute or two upright before changing oil to scavenge the sump. There's a few articles in the DIY forum that explain it better. https://www.hdforums.com/m_71481/mpa..._/tm.htm#71481

 

Ok, i'll go read that. What I need to know now is drain it or leave it.

 

If you leave it, there's a good chance that it will pump it out onto the floor through the air cleaner. Always run it first to clean out the sump or over filling is going to cause you a mess to clean up, I would say to suck some out and then add what's needed after you establish the level.

 

But I did warm up the bike before changing the oil. Perhaps I didn't warm it up enough? Or are you saying that I should have idled it for a minute or two while the bike was upright before changing the oil?

 

>>>Or are you saying that I should have idled it for a minute or two while the bike was upright before changing the oil?


That's it!!! You have it now.

 

Thanks a ton. The service manual didn't tell me to do that. There shouldn't be any problem sucking some of that oil out with one of those water squirters should there? Or should I use the drain hose again?

I've been doing some reading and "scavenging the sump" applies to dry sump engines correct? And there's two oil pumps in a dry sump engine? So what does exactly scavening the sump mean? If you don't mind explaining further.

 

You can suck it out to below the level where it should be and then add what it takes to fill it up after you run it first.

scavenging the sump" applies to dry sump engines correct? -- Yes.

And there's two oil pumps in a dry sump engine? -- NO. Just one

So what does exactly scavening the sump mean? --It means you let the engine idle to pump the extra oil that is in the crankcase back into the oil tank that has allready lubed the engine and found it's way to the lowest part of the engine to be picked up by the pump (ie scavanged)

 

Does that mean the oil level will lower as it gets sucked in?



Also, for future reference, after I "scavenge the sump" can I change the oil with the bike on a side stand or do I have to keep it upright and use a lift?

 

Does that mean the oil level will lower as it gets sucked in? -- It could, you do not know how much is in the sump, that's why I said to remove a little extra.


can I change the oil with the bike on a side stand or do I have to keep it upright and use a lift? --No here's where it gets tricky, you MUST hold it up with one hand and change the oil with the other.....

Just kidding, you can do it on the stand as long as you scavenge the sump first other wise you end up with too much oil in the system