Oil consumption?
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Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 78
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From: Roseville,CA & Grangeville,ID
Oil consumption?
Question has probably been beat to death but couldn't find it searching.
Have a 23 FatBoy w/3k miles. 3-hole oil change by dealer a 900m and every 1k miles by me (retired master mechanic). Used the HD Syn kit.
At 950-miles the top end was replaced (pistons, cylinders, heads) under warranty.
Now the motor is burning oil at a rate of a quart every 1k miles (just burned a 1/2 on a 200-mile ride. I did smell oil burning on the trip, smelled like a worn out 60's small block chevy.
Is this normal or should I have the dealer address the issue. Thank you for any suggestions
Have a 23 FatBoy w/3k miles. 3-hole oil change by dealer a 900m and every 1k miles by me (retired master mechanic). Used the HD Syn kit.
At 950-miles the top end was replaced (pistons, cylinders, heads) under warranty.
Now the motor is burning oil at a rate of a quart every 1k miles (just burned a 1/2 on a 200-mile ride. I did smell oil burning on the trip, smelled like a worn out 60's small block chevy.
Is this normal or should I have the dealer address the issue. Thank you for any suggestions
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
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From: central NC
I was using 2 quarts between 5k oil changes, and could not figure out where it was going at 17,000 miles. Plugs good. Not spitting it through the breathers I installed. So I conveniently sold it to the knot-head dealership I bought it from.
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: USA
To help us understand, could you please elaborate on this? For it certainly isnt typical.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 465
Likes: 296
From: Grand Rapids, MI
That is technically in HDs spec on M-8s, but not in mine.
I was using 2 quarts between 5k oil changes, and could not figure out where it was going at 17,000 miles. Plugs good. Not spitting it through the breathers I installed. So I conveniently sold it to the knot-head dealership I bought it from.
I was using 2 quarts between 5k oil changes, and could not figure out where it was going at 17,000 miles. Plugs good. Not spitting it through the breathers I installed. So I conveniently sold it to the knot-head dealership I bought it from.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
No way in hell
This is abdolutely unacceptable. No new or rebuilt engine should burn oil. Someone said its in H.D. spec.s to burn a quart in 1,500 miles? To me, that's crazy. I frankly don't believe it. If it is true, you need to swear off Harleys, and go to someone who can manufacture a tight engine - I think your overhaul was faulty. There's no way any overhaul I ever performed would pass muster, if it consumed oil at that rate! In fact, if it happened more than once, I would be fired.
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Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 78
Likes: 37
From: Roseville,CA & Grangeville,ID
He found out of round pistons and a bad rocker shaft.
And yes, I over-maintain all my vehicles. I did a 3-hole oil change at 500-miles and re-adjusted after the dealers expensive 3-hole service.
Oil is cheap and having the best is my thoughts.
I did a test, confirmed the oil level was at 75% on the stick and did a 200-mile ride and it burned 1/2 a quart. Also smelled oil burning from the exhaust.
Maybe all that hate don't understand that I'm a retired master mechanic and just a recent Harley owner. I've raced both dirt and track for over 40-years and maintained and built the bikes.
I could rebuild this motor blind folded but what is the use of the warranty if I have to do the work? My Father and uncles have had
Harley since WW2, I'm not a dumb yuppie newbie to Harleys. Just thought a few would give a normal oil consumption rates. But I was wrong and nothing but hate here. Put on your leather vest and pretend
to be an outlaw biker, my uncle was a president of the club you think you're trying to imitate
Last edited by Husky44; Sep 10, 2024 at 02:09 PM.
