HELP!!! Missing oil
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: SC
HELP!!! Missing oil
I have a 2009 FLSTC, about 2 weeks ago my wife and I were out riding with some friends, we had rode maybe 20-30 miles, I started to hear a ticking noise coming from the engine. Also, my low oil pressure light "did not" come on. When I stopped, the first thing I did was check the oil, nothing on the dipstick. I didn't check it before we started the ride, but I had checked it a few days prior to it and it was fine. I ran it for 10 minutes then shut it down then check it on the jiffy stand as per my manual. There was no puddle on the ground in my garage and I ask if anyone had smelled anything when they were behind me and they said "NO". I talked to a couple of people, and 1 of them said that either the check valve has stuck or there might be a bad o-ring somewhere in or near the oil pump. I am not a motorcycle mechanic, I do have some mechanical experience, but I am very confused. I don't have a whole lot of budget room right now, and I'm hoping that it's not going to cause any damage or and arm and a leg to fix. I just don't understand where the oil went. Can somebody please, please help me. Thanks
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 970
Likes: 19
From: Philippines
You have a curious situation. There is only 2 ways that a bike can loose oil. (1) It leaks out, but you said you haven't seen and oil spots, and (2) you burn it, but riders behind you haven't noticed any smoke. The (check valve) you mentioned is part of the cam plate. Even if it were malfunctioning, there should still be oil in the tank immediately after the engine had been started then turned off. The (O-Ring) you mentioned is on the suction side of the oil pump and if it failed you would have low oil pressure and see an indicator light on the dash. I'll be following this thread and hopefully see you post your finding once the problem is found.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
There is a multi page thread on this subject. Do a search using "sump" or other words. The OP had many suggestions of what to check and I believe it turned out to be an "operator error"
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: SC
Thanks Olo, I will post once I get more info and/or a resolution. Checkers, thanks for response, I did as you said and searched other posting and found some that were close, but most talked about wet sump. Still confused. I do have a question to add: I changed my stock filler cap, does the stock filler cap have a vent hole? If so, then if my new cap does not have a vent hole, would that cause any issues with my current situation. Any help and/or advice would be appreciated.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 22
sumpin fishy
Did your bike feel sluggish before this happened. Had one do that and all the oil was in the crankcase and not returning to oil tank. Usually the o-ring from pump to crankcase is puckered. The bike felt sluggish because the flywheels were running in an oil bath instead of being close to dry with only a few ounces in there. Would be where I would start if oil isn't on the ground or where it's suppose to be.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 754
Likes: 24
From: Southern Maine
Did you replace your plug with a similar one. Not all "dip sticks" are created equal and you should make sure they are the same length and has the swivel like the Harley one does. If not, you may have to check the oil while standing the bike upright.
Trending Topics
Oil
I would put oil in the bike to the proper level and take it for a ride come back and check it when hot top off if needed then go for a ride make a few stops and check it and see if it's still on the stick.
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
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: SC
Thanks all for info. Tracker, I did not change plug, only just the cap on top. Snow, the only sluggishness I am feeling is when I first fire it up, nothing sluggish while I am riding, Thanks Pitbull. I figured i would start up bike today and let run for awhile, 15 minutes (operating temp), then shut it down and waited 5 minutes then checked level, it was between fill and full, I then took it for a 15 minute ride stopped 5 minutes and rechecked again, level is at fill line. Again, no leaks on floor anywhere, nor did I see any smoke coming out of exhaust. This is frustrating. 1 more thing, I know my manual says to check it on jiffy stand, and I have been, the levels are what I had posted before, but I just now checked level while standing the bike upright and the level is right at the full mark.
Last edited by welder1212; Apr 26, 2014 at 07:50 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 22
cker
You need to ck it on the kick stand when hot for a good reading. You have a sumping problem. Had the same situation with showing oil, then no oil, the half full. Leaving the bike on stand and looking in the fill hole I could see the level rise and fall. this was on a Dyna though. The cure was doubling up on the O-rings where the oil pump meets the crankcase orifice on my ride anyway.