Oil filter microns & valve noise
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: U.S.A
Oil filter microns & valve noise
Ok, heres the skinny
recently read a thread where valve noise was the subject. Since my bike seems to have a lot of valve noise, I paid attention. It was mentioned that switching from a 10 micron filter to a 30 micron filter may help. Found the following info from S&S FAQ section
If you run the 10 micron filter with an evolution style engine it will not be able to return oil through the filter fast enough causing the oil to back up into the lower end robbing power and/or causing oil to puke out of the lower end.
The 30 micron filter is designed to work best for your Evolution style engine, the filtration is still excellent and it will not cause oiling issues.
Soooo, how in the heck do I figure out what the oil filters micron rating is on my bike right now, and has anyone tried this and what did you think? I had the 1000k service done at the stealer (will be changing the oil myself from now on).
If you run the 10 micron filter with an evolution style engine it will not be able to return oil through the filter fast enough causing the oil to back up into the lower end robbing power and/or causing oil to puke out of the lower end.
The 30 micron filter is designed to work best for your Evolution style engine, the filtration is still excellent and it will not cause oiling issues.
Soooo, how in the heck do I figure out what the oil filters micron rating is on my bike right now, and has anyone tried this and what did you think? I had the 1000k service done at the stealer (will be changing the oil myself from now on).
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
I won't use anything but a 30 micron filter on any of my bikes, and wouldn't even consider using the 5 to 10 micron filter.
If you do a search there have been a few threads why many (including some Harley mechanics) consider the newer 5 micron, and even the 10 micron filters to be junk. Even more so when used on a EVO based engine....
Below are the 2 good 30 micron Harley filters that were developed for the EVO engines, along with their part number. I normally run the shorter filter, but during the hot summer months sometimes run the longer filter. It provides additional surface area that probably helps a bit when it comes to cooling the oil.
That comment you posted from the S&S FAQ section is exactly correct, and even more so when you consider that many times the "dealership guys" are installing not only 10 mic filters but 5 mic filters as well.
BTW, when using the right oil and filter none of my bikes sound like a 'sewing machine'..
If you do a search there have been a few threads why many (including some Harley mechanics) consider the newer 5 micron, and even the 10 micron filters to be junk. Even more so when used on a EVO based engine....
Below are the 2 good 30 micron Harley filters that were developed for the EVO engines, along with their part number. I normally run the shorter filter, but during the hot summer months sometimes run the longer filter. It provides additional surface area that probably helps a bit when it comes to cooling the oil.
That comment you posted from the S&S FAQ section is exactly correct, and even more so when you consider that many times the "dealership guys" are installing not only 10 mic filters but 5 mic filters as well.
BTW, when using the right oil and filter none of my bikes sound like a 'sewing machine'..
Last edited by OldFenderGuy; Mar 26, 2009 at 11:17 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: U.S.A
I won't use anything but a 30 micron filter on any of my bikes, and wouldn't even consider using the 5 to 10 micron filter.
If you do a search there have been a few threads why many (including some Harley mechanics) consider the newer 5 micron, and even the 10 micron filters to be junk. Even more so when used on a EVO based engine....
Below are the 2 good 30 micron Harley filters that were developed for the EVO engines, along with their part number. I normally run the shorter filter, but during the hot summer months sometimes run the longer filter. It provides additional surface area that probably helps a bit when it comes to cooling the oil.
That comment you posted from the S&S FAQ section is exactly correct, and even more so when you consider that many times the "dealership guys" are installing not only 10 mic filters but 5 mic filters as well.
BTW, when using the right oil and filter none of my bikes sound like a 'sewing machine'..
If you do a search there have been a few threads why many (including some Harley mechanics) consider the newer 5 micron, and even the 10 micron filters to be junk. Even more so when used on a EVO based engine....
Below are the 2 good 30 micron Harley filters that were developed for the EVO engines, along with their part number. I normally run the shorter filter, but during the hot summer months sometimes run the longer filter. It provides additional surface area that probably helps a bit when it comes to cooling the oil.
That comment you posted from the S&S FAQ section is exactly correct, and even more so when you consider that many times the "dealership guys" are installing not only 10 mic filters but 5 mic filters as well.
BTW, when using the right oil and filter none of my bikes sound like a 'sewing machine'..
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
I ran the K&N oil filter when I first got my 1200 thinking I was doing the right thing using a high quality filter, but after reading about the problems associated with running filters that were less than 30 microns, I took OFG's advice and went back to the MoCo filter.
Living in the hot south I run the longer HD 63813-90T chrome filter year round. At ~$9.00 from the local dealer, they're surprisingly inexpensive compared to the K&N.
Living in the hot south I run the longer HD 63813-90T chrome filter year round. At ~$9.00 from the local dealer, they're surprisingly inexpensive compared to the K&N.
Last edited by cHarley; Mar 27, 2009 at 01:52 PM.
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Road Captain
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Ok, got the oil and filter changed (not hard at all, wont EVER pay to have the stealer do it again). Put 20w50 AMSoil in and the HD chrome filter (63796-77A). Just from the sound of the engine in the garage, the change did seem to help with the excessive valve noise, but I havent taken it out on the road yet. The old oil in the filter was black as night and I only had 1000 miles on the oil. Heres the next question for OldFenderGuy. How do you know that HD oil filter 63796-77A is a 30 micron? Lead mechanic at the stealer says its a 5 micron, and that Harley only makes 5 and 10 (the 10 being for the V-Rod). He said he would never put a 30 on a Sportster. I know he could be filling me up so that Ill continue to buy HD stuff, but what gives?
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Your mechanic at the dealer is mistaken. The 63796-77A and 63813-90T filters have been around since the time all BT's had EVO motors which used 30 micron filters. Since the Sporty is an EVO it runs the same filter.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
Couldn't have said it better myself, and with the apparent knowledge base of that "Lead Mechanic" I wouldn't trust him to change my sparkplugs...
