Missing Oil
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, Ca.
Missing Oil
I picked this bike from my dad. 2003 FXST, 6600 miles on it. Has not been ridden, or started that I know of, for about 4 years. Been sitting in my dad's garage on concrete floor.
Anyway, he wanted it gone so I am the new owner. Going to drain all fluids, gas, etc.
I pulled the dipstick to check it before draining and there was nothing on the stick. Weird but OK maybe it was low when it went into hibernation.
Pulled the drain and nothing......maybe 3 tablespoons all together.
Called dad to ask why there is no oil in the bike. Did he drain it and forget to fill it? He says he never drained it and would have not filled it back up if he did. Too dangerous in case someone came along and started it for some stupid reason, or there was a fire and had to get it away from house, etc.
So either dad is senile or what? Didn't leak out. Not a drop on the ground over those years of sitting.
I am puzzle and uneasy.
Here is what I did:
Took and 15in piece of welding cable and fished up the drain port thinking there was some sort of obstruction. Nothing that I could find.
Took of oil filter to change it too and got a TINY amount of oil out of the port there dribbling onto the motor. Few drops.
Left drain plug out and started pouring into the oil can. After about 1/2 qt. it started draining through and out the drain. Put plug back in.
My dad is not senile and a pretty smart guy. I cannot see him forgetting that he drained out the oil. Also, cannot see him not refilling it if he did.
Weird story
Anyway, he wanted it gone so I am the new owner. Going to drain all fluids, gas, etc.
I pulled the dipstick to check it before draining and there was nothing on the stick. Weird but OK maybe it was low when it went into hibernation.
Pulled the drain and nothing......maybe 3 tablespoons all together.
Called dad to ask why there is no oil in the bike. Did he drain it and forget to fill it? He says he never drained it and would have not filled it back up if he did. Too dangerous in case someone came along and started it for some stupid reason, or there was a fire and had to get it away from house, etc.
So either dad is senile or what? Didn't leak out. Not a drop on the ground over those years of sitting.
I am puzzle and uneasy.
Here is what I did:
Took and 15in piece of welding cable and fished up the drain port thinking there was some sort of obstruction. Nothing that I could find.
Took of oil filter to change it too and got a TINY amount of oil out of the port there dribbling onto the motor. Few drops.
Left drain plug out and started pouring into the oil can. After about 1/2 qt. it started draining through and out the drain. Put plug back in.
My dad is not senile and a pretty smart guy. I cannot see him forgetting that he drained out the oil. Also, cannot see him not refilling it if he did.
Weird story
Last edited by cencal; Dec 17, 2016 at 10:50 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
The oil has "sumped" into the crankcase. There is a pipe plug in the bottom of the engine that can be removed very carefully to drain the case. Re-installing this plug should be done very carefully so as not to crack the case.
Have you tried to turn the engine over at all?
Have you tried to turn the engine over at all?
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, Ca.
I will look for the drain plug.
SO i was thinking that maybe dad WAS senile so I added about 3 qts of oil into it to the bottom of the stick. Was going to wait till I fired it up and filled the new filter and then add from there.
What is the best way to procede from here? It seems that I now have too much oil in there.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, Ca.
I think that I would rather not remove that plug under the motor if possible. From reading it sounds like a potential disaster that I would not like to chance. A cracked case would bot be good.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 439
From: va
Your missing oil is in the crankcase ( the bottom of the engine) go ahead and start your engine ( no more than 1 min) don't rev the throttle have a large pan to hold a gal under the engine vent tube , the missing oil will blow out the tube and some will return to the oil tank that is going to be over filled with what you filled with new oil and the oil in the tank will have lots of air in it so let it settle for a couple of hours and do it again till air stops in the tank
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, Ca.
I havent checked the primary yet but trans is full on the dipstick. Gonna change both of those tomorrow.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, Ca.
Your missing oil is in the crankcase ( the bottom of the engine) go ahead and start your engine ( no more than 1 min) don't rev the throttle have a large pan to hold a gal under the engine vent tube , the missing oil will blow out the tube and some will return to the oil tank that is going to be over filled with what you filled with new oil and the oil in the tank will have lots of air in it so let it settle for a couple of hours and do it again till air stops in the tank
Really sucks cause I think I just wasted 3 qts of Mobil 1 V Twin oil at $12 qt
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 310
From: "Old Hangtown" Placerville Ca.
Just making sure you read where I thought my dad was senile and drained out the oil so I added about 3qts in the can. So that would leave me with 3qt PLUS whatever is living in the case for the last few years. If I start it up and let it run for a minute of so, would that cause any damage, or spewing out of the filler plug making a MESS, to anything.
Really sucks cause I think I just wasted 3 qts of Mobil 1 V Twin oil at $12 qt
Really sucks cause I think I just wasted 3 qts of Mobil 1 V Twin oil at $12 qt
Last edited by Rocker B; Dec 18, 2016 at 12:52 AM.