Alright, so I am doing my oil change on my 08 N and I am reading the service manual and owners manual say two different things. Just thought I would check both because I have both 2008 books.

Below are condensed versions of the two oil change procedures...

2008 Sportster Service Manual (the big book): pages 1-12 through 1-14

- Drain the oil tank into a container that holds approximately 4 quarts of fluid.
- Remove the oil filter and replace with new filter after adding 4 fluid ounces of oil into filter and coat filter gasket before installing new filter.
- Pour 2 quarts of oil into the engine oil tank.
- Loosen the oil tank drain plug from oil tank drain hose and allow a small amount of oil the flow from the hose. This removes air from the drain hose and reduced the possibility of oil pump cavitation.
- Install cap onto oil tank
- Start engine to verify that the oil pressure signal lamp turns off at 1000RPM. Turn engine off.
- Check for leaks and check oil level.
- See section 1.5 ENGINE OIL AND FILTER, Checking and adding oil eariler in this section.

2008 Sportster owners manual: page 93-97

- Drain the oil tank into a container that holds approximately 3 quarts of fluid.
- Remove the oil filter and replace with new filter after adding 4 fluid ounces of oil into filter and coat filter gasket before installing new filter.
- Pour 2.8 quarts of oil into the engine oil tank.
- Install cap onto oil tank
- Start engine to verify that the oil pressure signal lamp turns off at 1000RPM. Turn engine off.
- Check for leaks and check oil level.

I just thought this was weird and wanted to give caution to those who are changing their oil by the service manual.

Be sure to add 3 quarts of oil to your bike and not only 2.

Greg

 

The Service Manual is actually correct. You will notice that the next to the last step says:
- Check for leaks and check oil level.

At that point you should add the amount of oil required to bring the level up to the FULL mark. It's always better to initially add a bit less than the total amount called for and then use the dipstick to determine when it's full.

 

I wasn't implying that either was wrong. I just thought it was weird that they wouldn't be the same. I didn't want anyone to only add 2 quarts of oil and think they were done either...

Greg

 

and don't fill yer Sporty to the mark with oil. Run it a little low.

 

Why would you want to run it a little low?

 

Full hot is fine but if you over fill your oil you run the risk of oil blow back through your air cleaner.

 

That's a nice little stable you've got there Mandog!

 

The reason for the discrepancy is because this is a recently discovered error. In 2006 both the Service Manual and Owners manual state to use 4.6 quarts. WOW, is that ever TOO much. Three quarts usually is just about correct when I do oil changes.

 

Yea my '05 service manuals say add 3.6 qt. - still would make her puke.
I use a little over 2.5 qt total- takes it about to the 1/2 way mark on the stick.

 

3 quarts is too much for the sportster engine.

I'd rather run like 2.7... in the middle of the stick.