Oil consumption
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 735
Likes: 5
From: Bluffton,SC
1 qt every 1000 miles is normal? So if you follow the manufactures recommended oil change mileage you would be out of oil at 3000 miles and you still have 2000 miles to go before an oil change. So than what???? You need to have a leak down test preformed and find out what is leaking it can only be one of two things the rings or the valves.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
07 Heritage with 26,000 miles. I just did my oil change and 25 and it didn't use even a fourth of a quart since 20,000 miles. I'd say something is wrong. It's either got too much oil to begin with or the rings never took a seat.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Belgium
1 qt every 1000 miles is normal? So if you follow the manufactures recommended oil change mileage you would be out of oil at 3000 miles and you still have 2000 miles to go before an oil change. So than what???? You need to have a leak down test preformed and find out what is leaking it can only be one of two things the rings or the valves.
It does say in your manual to check your oil level at regular intervals and if needed to add some ...
On my 2009 bike the level has dropped about a quarter of an inch over the past 4000 miles. The BMW I had before used to have no problem consuming a quart in 1000 miles. Even stated to be normal in the user's manual.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
1 qt every 1000 miles is normal? So if you follow the manufactures recommended oil change mileage you would be out of oil at 3000 miles and you still have 2000 miles to go before an oil change. So than what???? You need to have a leak down test preformed and find out what is leaking it can only be one of two things the rings or the valves.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
If you are indeed using a quart per 1000 miles, it is not normal. The bulletin is so they don't have to fix them. If you can find a good dealer, (good luck with that) they will work with you to find the problem, but warranty won't cover it because of the bulletin. It could be something simple like the breather system. I have seen high oil consumption with synthetic oil...won't let the rings seat...so if you are running that stuff, I would run regular oil at least until you solve the problem. FYI if that much oil is getting past the rings, a lot of the HP you are paying for is going to. You may have to do your homework and go after warranty on low compression or HP and not just oil consumption because the MOCO will do everything in their power not to fix it ...which is kinda sad.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
Likes: 11
From: Punta Gorda,FL
Is it possible that you are overfilling the oil? You should only check the oil level after the engine has been brought up to operating temperatures and been shut off for 5 minutes or so. The bike should be on the jiffy stand when checking the oil level.
If you are not checking the oil level using this method, you are probably overfilling it with oil and the excess is being sucked through the air intake and burned by the engine.
Tom
If you are not checking the oil level using this method, you are probably overfilling it with oil and the excess is being sucked through the air intake and burned by the engine.
Tom
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: oregon
Check your plugs for oil deposits, if it's the rings or valve seals it should show up there. If everthing looks OK there you need to check for sumping. I had an 05 that was an oil burner & the dealer also gave me the crap about a Qt in 1000 miles was normal until I showed him the plugs then he agreed there was a problem. My experience is that the motor will burn some of the oil which passes thru the air cleaner but won't if it's a oil burner.
Waxer
Waxer
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