FXDSE Oil Consumption
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
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FXDSE Oil Consumption
Hi,
I'm trying to touch base with owners of the 07/08 FXDSE.
I have an 08 which was using oil from day one. In the first 840 miles I used nearly
1 3/4 qts of oil. I brought the bike in and they claim they noticed the rear plug was wet
with oil. So, they decided to replace the valve seals and at the same time do the
campaign for the 110 engine.
I have gotten it back and finding this after the fix...
After riding the bike home I checked the oil and it read 7 on the stick.
Just took the bike out today and rode 44 miles, returned and checked the oil after
letting it sit for 20 mins and it read 6 on the stick.
Has anyone experienced this type of oil loss?
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Charlie
I'm trying to touch base with owners of the 07/08 FXDSE.
I have an 08 which was using oil from day one. In the first 840 miles I used nearly
1 3/4 qts of oil. I brought the bike in and they claim they noticed the rear plug was wet
with oil. So, they decided to replace the valve seals and at the same time do the
campaign for the 110 engine.
I have gotten it back and finding this after the fix...
After riding the bike home I checked the oil and it read 7 on the stick.
Just took the bike out today and rode 44 miles, returned and checked the oil after
letting it sit for 20 mins and it read 6 on the stick.
Has anyone experienced this type of oil loss?
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Charlie
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, AZ
There is a problem with the valve seals which sounds like they corrected. 1 qt per 1500 miles riding is not considered "excessive". You need to ride it longer to gauge actual use because the level will go up and down from riding and cooling off. Whenever you fill up the oil, write down exactly how much and check plugs periodically for oil fouling.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey, AC area
My '07 FXSTSSE doesn't use a drop of oil.......... never had to add oil and I now have 6100 miles on it.
if you're using any oil I'd say there's a problem...
if you're using any oil I'd say there's a problem...
Last edited by Deuce Bigelow; Nov 28, 2008 at 08:35 AM.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
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Jeff1212,
I would be interested to know if you notice further oil usage.
I have been told that the 1 1/2 I lost in the first 840 miles was not normal.
As I said just this week, I rode it for 44 miles and saw the oil level drop
by one full X on the stick. Before I rode it it was 7X on the stick hot, when I returned
it was 6X hot. In both cases of reading it hot I let the bike sit 20 minutes before taking the readings. Also I checked it this morning cold and the stick read 5X. Before I rode the bike the 44 miles I read it cold also, it read 6X.
I definitely have a problem.
It would be helpful for me to know if you do not continue to see oil usage. My dealer
is trying to tell me this usage is normal, yet I have dozens of forum readers telling me
thats BS!!!
Please keep in touch if you can.
My email is cvc95@comcast.net if you prefer to reach me this way.
Regards,
Charlie C
I would be interested to know if you notice further oil usage.
I have been told that the 1 1/2 I lost in the first 840 miles was not normal.
As I said just this week, I rode it for 44 miles and saw the oil level drop
by one full X on the stick. Before I rode it it was 7X on the stick hot, when I returned
it was 6X hot. In both cases of reading it hot I let the bike sit 20 minutes before taking the readings. Also I checked it this morning cold and the stick read 5X. Before I rode the bike the 44 miles I read it cold also, it read 6X.
I definitely have a problem.
It would be helpful for me to know if you do not continue to see oil usage. My dealer
is trying to tell me this usage is normal, yet I have dozens of forum readers telling me
thats BS!!!
Please keep in touch if you can.
My email is cvc95@comcast.net if you prefer to reach me this way.
Regards,
Charlie C
I have close to 12000 miles on my 2007 FXDSE and never used a drop or oil, your problem is just that, a problem, take it back to the dealer and get it repaired before it gets worse.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
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I know harley sends the new ones out with the synthetic oil but I dont believe in it for Harleys. Especially breaking one in. I would certainly run it in everything else, but HD's motors have needle bearings and I think the synthetic is too slick for those type bearings. It causes them to skate instead of roll which in turn causes flat sides on the needles. Thats my theory. We've had some serious issues with this at the performance shop where I work at. Weve also see lots of old bikes running just the organic 20-50 HD oil with 100 thousand miles on them. Dont fix it if it aint broken.
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
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From: USA
I know harley sends the new ones out with the synthetic oil but I dont believe in it for Harleys. Especially breaking one in. I would certainly run it in everything else, but HD's motors have needle bearings and I think the synthetic is too slick for those type bearings. It causes them to skate instead of roll which in turn causes flat sides on the needles. Thats my theory. We've had some serious issues with this at the performance shop where I work at. Weve also see lots of old bikes running just the organic 20-50 HD oil with 100 thousand miles on them. Dont fix it if it aint broken.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 3
From: Chattanooga, TN
If the oil level is over full it will blow it out or use it.
Do the "cold oil check" for a while I think you will find it may solve the problem.
A lot of folks think riding around the block or idling the engine warms up the engine, then they add oil to the full level, and it blows it out or uses it. The oil needs to be around 210-230 degrees to get an accurate check. That is a long hard ride on a hot day!!! I have an oil temp guage that reads from the oil pan, takes forever to get oil to operating temp of 220 and sometimes it never gets over 180 degrees.
You can't go wrong using the "cold check" method.
Hopes this helps.
Do the "cold oil check" for a while I think you will find it may solve the problem.
A lot of folks think riding around the block or idling the engine warms up the engine, then they add oil to the full level, and it blows it out or uses it. The oil needs to be around 210-230 degrees to get an accurate check. That is a long hard ride on a hot day!!! I have an oil temp guage that reads from the oil pan, takes forever to get oil to operating temp of 220 and sometimes it never gets over 180 degrees.
You can't go wrong using the "cold check" method.
Hopes this helps.
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