Should I Be Concerned?
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 466
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From: Ontario, Canada
Should I Be Concerned?
Last October as part of my winter storage procedure I changed the oil (3L of H-D Syn.) and filter then put it up on blocks in an unheated shed. When I rolled it out in March I pulled the dipstick to check the oil level and saw the oil tank was almost empty. I called three dealers in my area and all said that this was normal as the longer it sits the oil drains down and to start the engine and watch the oil level return to normal within a minute or so but one of them indicated that if the oil looked a bit milky in colour to stop the engine right away and change the oil. Well, I started it and watched the oil level rise and when it got close enough to the filler neck I could seeit did look a little light coloured but not really milky looking.
Can I ride it as is and expect that when the enginegets hot it will burn off any moisture or condensation there may be in the oil or should I change it again now before riding it? Tks.
BTW I have a 2003 883.
Can I ride it as is and expect that when the enginegets hot it will burn off any moisture or condensation there may be in the oil or should I change it again now before riding it? Tks.
BTW I have a 2003 883.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
RE: Should I Be Concerned?
I'm sure it's fine due to the fact that it was fresh in the fall but I think I would drain it and add fresh just for piece of mind. If you did the filter in the fall I would not worry about changing it until your next oil change.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 2
RE: Should I Be Concerned?
Yes, you can run it on the oil you put in before winter storage and that's exactly what I would do. That oil is perfectly fine.
You would definetly notice if the oil looked milky because then it doesn't look like oil at all. Light colored is normal for brand new oil. Brand new = light. Used oil = dark.
They are also right that the oil will sink down and the tank will look low/empty. The oil will return to the oil tank once the bike has run for a few minutes. DO NOT add any oil to the oil tank as you will overfill it and the bike will spit it out.
You would definetly notice if the oil looked milky because then it doesn't look like oil at all. Light colored is normal for brand new oil. Brand new = light. Used oil = dark.
They are also right that the oil will sink down and the tank will look low/empty. The oil will return to the oil tank once the bike has run for a few minutes. DO NOT add any oil to the oil tank as you will overfill it and the bike will spit it out.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 466
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From: Ontario, Canada
RE: Should I Be Concerned?
Ok '1200c', what I'll do thenis when the weather here turns decent I will take it for aride to get things good andhot then check the oil colour again and hopefully it will not be the 'light whitish typecolour' it is now. Like I stated previously, the oil and filterare new, haszero miles onthem whatsoever so surely it can't have gone bad just sitting over the winter?? Anyway we'll give it a try and I'lllet everyone know how thisturns out, perhapsitmay help someone else sometime who experiences a similar thing.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Should I Be Concerned?
If your bike was stored where the moisture level was high you may see a slight milkey color in the oil from moisture. This will usually clear up (burn off) after a good long ride.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
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From:
RE: Should I Be Concerned?
My service manual says to plug or pinch off the oil line to stop it from possibly seeping past the check valve and filling up the crankcase. sounds like this iswhat happened to you. I personally would drain it, it might make the engine work too hard trying to chug through all that oil.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
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From: Nashville, TN
RE: Should I Be Concerned?
I dunno about winterizing my bike, but since this has come up, I remember someone earlier in the Spring making a comment that I would have never thought about.
That was: "Before you start the bike, disconnect the plug wires and hit the starter a few times. That will help pump the oil back up into the top of the motor. Then connect the plug wires and start the bike."
I don't really know for sure if that's sound advice, but it struck me as a good idea. So much so, that somehow, my feeble mind still remembers that comment.
That was: "Before you start the bike, disconnect the plug wires and hit the starter a few times. That will help pump the oil back up into the top of the motor. Then connect the plug wires and start the bike."
I don't really know for sure if that's sound advice, but it struck me as a good idea. So much so, that somehow, my feeble mind still remembers that comment.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
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From:
RE: Should I Be Concerned?
ORIGINAL: IronLegend
Last October as part of my winter storage procedure I changed the oil (3L of H-D Syn.) and filter then put it up on blocks in an unheated shed. When I rolled it out in March I pulled the dipstick to check the oil level and saw the oil tank was almost empty. I called three dealers in my area and all said that this was normal as the longer it sits the oil drains down and to start the engine and watch the oil level return to normal within a minute or so but one of them indicated that if the oil looked a bit milky in colour to stop the engine right away and change the oil. Well, I started it and watched the oil level rise and when it got close enough to the filler neck I could seeit did look a little light coloured but not really milky looking.
Can I ride it as is and expect that when the enginegets hot it will burn off any moisture or condensation there may be in the oil or should I change it again now before riding it? Tks.
BTW I have a 2003 883.
Last October as part of my winter storage procedure I changed the oil (3L of H-D Syn.) and filter then put it up on blocks in an unheated shed. When I rolled it out in March I pulled the dipstick to check the oil level and saw the oil tank was almost empty. I called three dealers in my area and all said that this was normal as the longer it sits the oil drains down and to start the engine and watch the oil level return to normal within a minute or so but one of them indicated that if the oil looked a bit milky in colour to stop the engine right away and change the oil. Well, I started it and watched the oil level rise and when it got close enough to the filler neck I could seeit did look a little light coloured but not really milky looking.
Can I ride it as is and expect that when the enginegets hot it will burn off any moisture or condensation there may be in the oil or should I change it again now before riding it? Tks.
BTW I have a 2003 883.
[/align]You should definitely change the oil. The crankcase collects condensation after sitting for awhile unstarted in cold weather, and I believe that even Harley recommends changing the oil after winter storage, if I remember my owners manual right.[/align][/align][/align]As for "burning off condensation," what you are saying is that you're allowing your motor to run for awhilewith somewhat contaminated oil, asking it to act as an oil purifier and to clean itself over a period of time while it'srunning.[/align][/align]Huh?![/align][/align]Not really too smart of a thing to do to your Harley. It wasn't designed to be an oil-water separator/purifier, and it definitely wasn't designed to EVER run with clearlycontaminated oil; and moisture in the oilis contamination, especially when it's enough that itcan be clearly seen.[/align][/align]Some people may argue with this and try to use the 'oil and water don't mix' theory and say there won't be a problem, but ask them if you can poor a cup of water into their oil and if they will then drive around with it like that, and see if they really believe what they say.[/align][/align]I would most definitelychange the oil.[/align][/align]
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 2
RE: Should I Be Concerned?
My service manual says to plug or pinch off the oil line to stop it from possibly seeping past the check valve and filling up the crankcase. sounds like this is what happened to you. I personally would drain it, it might make the engine work too hard trying to chug through all that oil.
That was: "Before you start the bike, disconnect the plug wires and hit the starter a few times. That will help pump the oil back up into the top of the motor. Then connect the plug wires and start the bike."
By the way, if you are still worried about the oil quality post a picture here and I will tell you if the oil is milky or not.