Oil Quantity Conflict

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 1, 2011 | 07:09 AM

#11

Guest

Guest

Posts: n/a

Quote:

Originally Posted by cHarley

With the standard filter, 2.75 quarts does the job assuming you've learned that the oil level should be measured (to the full mark) with the bike in an upright (normal operation) position.

Fill it to the full mark with the bike on the jiffy stand, and you'll likely have it puking oil out of the breathers.

The 3.6 quarts listed in the Owners Manual, is for a factory new, dry motor. Not an oil change quantity.

Not anymore. For the modern bikes (at least from 2007 on, perhaps earlier, I don't know), check oil level on the jiffy stand, not upright. The dipstick has been re-calibrated to work in the position most people did it anyway. These days, if you do it upright, you don't have enough oil in your tank.

Jul 1, 2011 | 08:03 AM

#12

XTsHOG

Tourer

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 373

Likes: 0

From: Canada

Well in my Service Manual for my 2000 it says to upright the bike to check the oil. The prev owner told me to check on the jiffy which I thought odd. But he said u do it that way on all Harleys. After I changed my oil I added it slowly and kept it below the full line. Now at least I don't have occasional oil coming out of the ac. I haven't swapped out the original oil as he had an aftermarket oil temp one in there and I even suspect there Is still too much oil in their with the aftermarket oil temp cap. Initially I kept shaking my head why the filter was getting so much oil in it. Hopefully with him keeping it overfull didn't cause any issues.

Jul 1, 2011 | 08:34 AM

#13

cHarley

Club Member

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 16,320

Likes: 306

From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

Not true. The part number (63000-04B) for the dipstick has not changed since 2004 when the HD Owners Manual started calling for the oil level to be measured on the jiffy stand.

If you raise or lower the suspension on your bike, it's lean angle on the jiffy stand will change, and so will the oil level indicated on the dipstick.

Jul 1, 2011 | 08:54 AM

#14

Guest

Guest

Posts: n/a

My OM and Service Manual both state to check it on the jiffy stand.

Jul 1, 2011 | 09:18 AM

#15

cHarley

Club Member

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 16,320

Likes: 306

From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

My OM and Service Manual both state to check it on the jiffy stand.

Yes, I know, and that's the problem. And it's the reason there have been hundreds of posts on this and other Sporty forums since 2004 regarding filling your oil level to about 1/2 way between the Add & Full marks on the dipstick when checking it on the jiffy stand, if you want to keep oil from being puked out of the breathers.

Measured to ~1/2 way when on the jiffy, will equal FULL if you then measure it again with the bike upright.

If you overfill the oil bag on any Harley, one of the first symptoms of being overfilled is oil spitting from the breathers into the A/C can.

Jul 1, 2011 | 09:25 AM

#16

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,898

From: Bedford UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by cHarley

If you overfill the oil bag on any Harley, one of the first symptoms of being overfilled is oil spitting from the breathers into the A/C can.

I've come across that statement before and find it strange. Do we know why a full oil tank causes that? I can't quite make the link between the oil tank and engine breather!

Jul 1, 2011 | 10:31 AM

#17

XTsHOG

Tourer

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 373

Likes: 0

From: Canada

Here is the explanation I received on a similar post:

mreed
Well, it's specifically designed to be routed into the mouth of the carb and be burnt off through the exhaust. It's called positive crank case ventilation...but the stage one kits allow it to pool up in the bottom of the filter then drip out occassionally. Keep your oil at 3/4 full and you won't have the crank case oil mist. Easy as that.
Quote

Jul 1, 2011 | 11:00 AM

#18

Krull883

Advanced

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 53

Likes: 0

so then if you take into account .6 quarts is left after you drain. If you subtract that from 3.6 the tank needs, then you just add 3 quarts. too easy to understand. jiffy stands, new shocks, driveway angle, and the UV index will be inane.....