Oil dip stick blew out!
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 331
Likes: 89
From: Ontario
Oil dip stick blew out!
Hi folks... I haven't been on here for a few years so forgive me for not staying in touch .
I Have a 2006 heritage classic that I purchased new in 2006. I normally change out the engine oil at the end of the riding season before storing for the winter. I live in Ontario Canada. So I took the bike off the stand last week and checked the oil on the dipstick before even starting it up for the first time. There was almost no oil showing on the stick. I figured maybe I dumped the oil last fall when the oil was hot and never got around to putting new oil in. I know that's pretty stupid not to put fresh oil in right after an oil change but be that as it may I finally had time today to get it ready for my 1st ride of the season tomorrow. I work 6 night shifts a week so not a lot of time. Anyway I proceeded to dump fresh oil in the horseshoe tank, ( just over 2 liters ) . Started it up and it ran for about 30 seconds and then I heard a loud pop proceeded by oil blowing out everywhere including all over me. It blew the dipstick out of the tank. I shut it down right away. The oil over all looked pretty dirty so obviously I did not dump the old oil last season! So is this normal for the oil to drain to the bottom of the crankcase like this. Need to know if this is a bigger issue beyond the oil just draining before I attempt to do an oil change. I don't want to waste more new oil and filter if there might be a bigger problem!
I Have a 2006 heritage classic that I purchased new in 2006. I normally change out the engine oil at the end of the riding season before storing for the winter. I live in Ontario Canada. So I took the bike off the stand last week and checked the oil on the dipstick before even starting it up for the first time. There was almost no oil showing on the stick. I figured maybe I dumped the oil last fall when the oil was hot and never got around to putting new oil in. I know that's pretty stupid not to put fresh oil in right after an oil change but be that as it may I finally had time today to get it ready for my 1st ride of the season tomorrow. I work 6 night shifts a week so not a lot of time. Anyway I proceeded to dump fresh oil in the horseshoe tank, ( just over 2 liters ) . Started it up and it ran for about 30 seconds and then I heard a loud pop proceeded by oil blowing out everywhere including all over me. It blew the dipstick out of the tank. I shut it down right away. The oil over all looked pretty dirty so obviously I did not dump the old oil last season! So is this normal for the oil to drain to the bottom of the crankcase like this. Need to know if this is a bigger issue beyond the oil just draining before I attempt to do an oil change. I don't want to waste more new oil and filter if there might be a bigger problem!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 331
Likes: 89
From: Ontario
I just thought it very unusual because it's the first time it's happened in 18 years I've had it.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 604
From: The 1980's
Oil sumped into the base during the off season. When you added oil it's now overfull. Don't ask me how I know.
Why it never happened previously is beyond my limited Twin Cam knowledge.
Why it never happened previously is beyond my limited Twin Cam knowledge.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,610
From: san antonio
Last edited by djl; May 18, 2024 at 04:44 PM.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 331
Likes: 89
From: Ontario
I normally write down in my owners manual everything I do on the bike and I thought it unusual that I had nothing written down. I just put it down to old age, and thought I just forgot to write it in the book. Sounds reasonable that the old oil just drained into the bottom of the engine. Well looks like I need to dump it all and do a regular oil change.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
I'll check my oil before starting my bike but never add anything until after it's warmed up. Unless there's a huge puddle on the ground it's still in the system.
For a learning experience, start your bike without the cap on the oil tank and shine a light inside. You'll see the oil level rise and the incoming oil is aerated.
I also run mine 1/4 to 1/2 qt low all the time.
For a learning experience, start your bike without the cap on the oil tank and shine a light inside. You'll see the oil level rise and the incoming oil is aerated.
I also run mine 1/4 to 1/2 qt low all the time.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 331
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From: Ontario
The thing was, I didn't want to start it with no oil thinking that I must have dumped it last fall. I just went to the garage and removed the drain plug on the tank and it seems to be draining really slow like it has a vapor lock or something. I'll check in a bit to see if it's empty.
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From: poway
The thing was, I didn't want to start it with no oil thinking that I must have dumped it last fall. I just went to the garage and removed the drain plug on the tank and it seems to be draining really slow like it has a vapor lock or something. I'll check in a bit to see if it's empty.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 331
Likes: 89
From: Ontario
Yes I always do. It finally drained but took a while. I usually also remove the filter but didn't this time. I have a hell of a job ahead of me tomorrow to clean all the oil off the bike. Good excuse to give it a good bath I guess.