Oil dipstick popped out while riding
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From:
Too add to this problem, it's funny cause our owners manual's say to put three quarts of oil in when changing oil/filter. I for one will add two quarts, then maybe a half to get oil level cold on kick stand to reach the halfway point.
Keep in mind this is for a 13 Heritage. Not sure about other models.
Keep in mind this is for a 13 Heritage. Not sure about other models.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: Canada
tempstick
OK, so it looks like this is not a problem with the stock dipstick. However, it also looks like threadstopper has done this with the stock dipstick. So, now I am confused... (Doesn't take much lol) Does this problem happen with all dipsticks including stock or just the aftermarket temp gauge one? threadstopper is that the stock dipstick you are showing? Do you know of it happening to the stock one or are you just taking an extra precaution?
Softails are notorious for this, and usually due to "if" you check your oil cold, it looks like you're low, so what used to happen was you'd top it up, but softails usually run that way because of the oil pan, and if you checked it after it got warm, all things would be good
So when it get's warm, the internal pressure has to go somewhere, the easiest route out being the oil cap.
My partner's 2014 deluxe has had this happen 4 times, and she's found a "locking oil cap" which I don't recommend, but Dealer seems to think there's something plugged, or getting plugged, as it's an intermittent thing, usually after a non stop 60 mile ride on the highway
It's in for service before a 2 week British Columbia ride, and they're going to have a look at it
Will update as needed
So when it get's warm, the internal pressure has to go somewhere, the easiest route out being the oil cap.
My partner's 2014 deluxe has had this happen 4 times, and she's found a "locking oil cap" which I don't recommend, but Dealer seems to think there's something plugged, or getting plugged, as it's an intermittent thing, usually after a non stop 60 mile ride on the highway
It's in for service before a 2 week British Columbia ride, and they're going to have a look at it
Will update as needed
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
For once and for all... it is not due to "something getting plugged" and dealers have never heard of this. When it happened to my brand new '06 on my its first trip to Daytona, even the big deal techs that were there from HD had never heard of it. Replace the ribbed rubber dipstick with the old style hard plastic one o-ring dipstick and make sure it takes some force to pull the dipstick out. After changing oil, wipe the inside of the dipstick housing with a clean rag. It is a sloppy tolerance issue and any oil on the housing can exacerbate the problem. A slight overfill can also exacerbate the problem. Using an o-ring on a hard foundation (the old style dipstick) will more than likely cure the sloppy tolerance issue.
The single key is... does it take some force to pull the dipstick... if not, you haven't fixed it yet.
C#
C#
The single key is... does it take some force to pull the dipstick... if not, you haven't fixed it yet.
C#
C#
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 725
Likes: 33
From: East, TN
For once and for all... it is not due to "something getting plugged" and dealers have never heard of this. When it happened to my brand new '06 on my its first trip to Daytona, even the big deal techs that were there from HD had never heard of it. Replace the ribbed rubber dipstick with the old style hard plastic one o-ring dipstick and make sure it takes some force to pull the dipstick out. After changing oil, wipe the inside of the dipstick housing with a clean rag. It is a sloppy tolerance issue and any oil on the housing can exacerbate the problem. A slight overfill can also exacerbate the problem. Using an o-ring on a hard foundation (the old style dipstick) will more than likely cure the sloppy tolerance issue.
The single key is... does it take some force to pull the dipstick... if not, you haven't fixed it yet.
C#
C#
The single key is... does it take some force to pull the dipstick... if not, you haven't fixed it yet.
C#
C#
I had a '03 Softail a couple bike ago and the temp gauge I bought then ,fit tite for 40K.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4,912
Likes: 8,987
From: SoCal
New here (1st post!). Have a new 2014 Heritage. First time riding in 40+ years so no "experience". Had this problem, lost a cap while riding and made a mess, thought it was some wiring working the cap out, replaced cap. Same thing happened today while idling in the garage.
After searching here (can't find that thread now), checked the V&H air cleaner I installed and found that I screwed up and had crimped the breather tubes (instructions not clear enough and made a mistake). Fixed that, and all seems good now.
After searching here (can't find that thread now), checked the V&H air cleaner I installed and found that I screwed up and had crimped the breather tubes (instructions not clear enough and made a mistake). Fixed that, and all seems good now.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 762
Likes: 460
From: Knob Noster, MO
New here (1st post!). Have a new 2014 Heritage. First time riding in 40+ years so no "experience". Had this problem, lost a cap while riding and made a mess, thought it was some wiring working the cap out, replaced cap. Same thing happened today while idling in the garage.
After searching here (can't find that thread now), checked the V&H air cleaner I installed and found that I screwed up and had crimped the breather tubes (instructions not clear enough and made a mistake). Fixed that, and all seems good now.
After searching here (can't find that thread now), checked the V&H air cleaner I installed and found that I screwed up and had crimped the breather tubes (instructions not clear enough and made a mistake). Fixed that, and all seems good now.
Stage I
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
With regard to the dipstick popping out
I have been told another possible problem would be air in the oil somewhere. Any truth to this?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
Air is more compressible than oil.
On some older Harley's there is a pressure relief valve that is a ball bearing with a spring behind it... and I have heard of those getting sticky and causing oil leaks, blow by, etc. but that shouldn't be the issue these days.
You only need to "go snipe hunting" IF it is NOT relatively easy (not sloppy easy) to pull your dip stick or someone is working on your bike that thinks that since the book says 3 qts. they pour it in without checking the oil level when the bike it warm.
Stage I
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
My 2011 Heritage just had its 10,000 mile maintenance and since then put maybe 500 miles on it. Today the dipstick came out and covered us and the bike in oil while riding. The oil was at the full mark and I always check it when its hot. Just on a usual ride and maybe kicking it a little hard. Any similar experiences....