Checking oil - Bubbles/Foam
Checking oil - Bubbles/Foam
I've had my 2011 FXDF for 7 months now, oil was fresh when i bought it. put 2200 miles on it. check the oil today, and there were bubbles/foam on the Oil dipstick. don't remember seeing them before when i checked the oil. have ridden it at least 2 to 3 times a week since purchase, i'm planning on changing the oil at 2500 miles anyway, do i need to change it now? it doesn't smell bad, and color is dark amber..
i'm not new to motorcycles, but new to HD. I put Synthetic in my BMW, and change every 5000 miles... was planning on doing that with the HD, but with changes at every 2500...
i'm not new to motorcycles, but new to HD. I put Synthetic in my BMW, and change every 5000 miles... was planning on doing that with the HD, but with changes at every 2500...
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 69
From: Bay Area, NorCal
The bubbles & foam in the oil most likely mean that the oil isn't getting hot enough to sufficiently to burn off any condensation/moisture in the oil. You may be using the bike two/three times a week, but if the ride is only for a few minutes/miles before shutting down, the moisture stays in the oil and shows up on the dipstick as you see it now. Need to take the bike out and run it for a good hour or so to clear out the moisture, then avoid making too many short trips in the future. Hope that helps. BTW, the FB is a great bike!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,174
Likes: 12,745
From: South Carolina
Don`t worry about seeing bubbles in the oil, the oil has just been through an engine, it has every reason to have bubbles in it.
The bubbles are not from moisture in the oil, if there was moisture in the oil it would have a whitish milky color to it.
The bubbles are not from moisture in the oil, if there was moisture in the oil it would have a whitish milky color to it.
The oil stabilizer does for sure. That stuff is utter junk.
That spinny thing on the counter at the parts desk is cool though. I like how it sticks to cold plastic. In a hot engine however it causes bubbles and foaming. Neither are good from a lubrication standpoint
That spinny thing on the counter at the parts desk is cool though. I like how it sticks to cold plastic. In a hot engine however it causes bubbles and foaming. Neither are good from a lubrication standpoint
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
Just as a word of caution here. Check your oil before you ride both for level and bubbles. If it sat for a couple of days, there should be no bubbles.
Try to run the engine next time out at least 20 miles continuously. Pull the dipstick, if it has foam or bubbles, I'd be looking a little farther.
In some cases, it could indicate a blown O ring or seal, allowing the pump to draw air. If it is, you need to have it remedied immediately! Pumping air/oil thru the system will damage pump, pistons,rings, lifters and on and on.
My engine started running hotter than normal, then I noticed bubbles in engine oil, an O ring for the pump had split. Replaced it, everything back to normal (pressure/temp etc).
Just saying this is one senerio you don't need. Fastrider124
Try to run the engine next time out at least 20 miles continuously. Pull the dipstick, if it has foam or bubbles, I'd be looking a little farther.
In some cases, it could indicate a blown O ring or seal, allowing the pump to draw air. If it is, you need to have it remedied immediately! Pumping air/oil thru the system will damage pump, pistons,rings, lifters and on and on.
My engine started running hotter than normal, then I noticed bubbles in engine oil, an O ring for the pump had split. Replaced it, everything back to normal (pressure/temp etc).
Just saying this is one senerio you don't need. Fastrider124
thanks for all the advice... typicaly, at least one of my rides each week is over 1 hour, the others are a 20 mintue ride to work... as summer is here now, i will be riding it more often for longer periods... the oil is not milky, but definatly had a lot of bubbles/foam stuck to the dipstick. the o-ring thing is interesting, had not thought of that... the bike is under warrenty for another 6 months, i think i will have a talk with the dealer about it, to see if they will check for the oring if this persists... if not, i was thinking about doing cam's anyway, might just be the time.
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