Oil Quantity Conflict
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 618
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal
Oil Quantity Conflict
I just realized that there are inconsistencies between the owner's manual, service manual and Fix My Hog video and now I'm a bit confused as to how much oil really needs to go into an '08. Ready for some mental gymnastics?
HD Service Manual: pg. 1-14 "4 fluid ounces" into filter and "2.0 quarts" into oil tank. I know that's gotta be wrong.
Owner's Manual: pg. 93 "3.6 quarts" in tank "minus the 4 fluid ounces already added in the oil filter." Does this mean 3.6 quarts - 4 ounces? Which begs the question how many ounces is 3.6 qts? Mathematically it means 3 quarts plus 19.2 ounces...minus 4 ounces for the filter?? WTF.
Fix My Hog: verbally "3 quarts total...4 ounces in filter and 2 quarts, 28 oz. in tank." But written in a caption overlay "Oil tank w/filler capacity for this model = 3.6 QT" Seriously?
I know most of you are going to just say 3 qts. total- which is what I've always added- but adding too much is not a good idea. What's the deal?
HD Service Manual: pg. 1-14 "4 fluid ounces" into filter and "2.0 quarts" into oil tank. I know that's gotta be wrong.
Owner's Manual: pg. 93 "3.6 quarts" in tank "minus the 4 fluid ounces already added in the oil filter." Does this mean 3.6 quarts - 4 ounces? Which begs the question how many ounces is 3.6 qts? Mathematically it means 3 quarts plus 19.2 ounces...minus 4 ounces for the filter?? WTF.
Fix My Hog: verbally "3 quarts total...4 ounces in filter and 2 quarts, 28 oz. in tank." But written in a caption overlay "Oil tank w/filler capacity for this model = 3.6 QT" Seriously?
I know most of you are going to just say 3 qts. total- which is what I've always added- but adding too much is not a good idea. What's the deal?
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
.6 quarts never drains out.
Here is how you do it. Drain oil. add 4oz to filter. Pour the rest of that bottle into oil tank. Add two more full bottles to oil tank. the 3 quarts you just added adds to the .6 left over.
Whats all that mean? You now have 3.6 quarts. You are over thinking it........
Here is how you do it. Drain oil. add 4oz to filter. Pour the rest of that bottle into oil tank. Add two more full bottles to oil tank. the 3 quarts you just added adds to the .6 left over.
Whats all that mean? You now have 3.6 quarts. You are over thinking it........
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
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.
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.
Last edited by cHarley; Jun 30, 2011 at 07:33 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 618
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal
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.
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.
Thanks.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
EVERY person I know with a sportster drains. Adds 3 quarts and the oil measures proper when on the jiffy like it tells you to check.
.15 quarts over probably wont hurt but the fact .6 remains after you drain and it calls for 3.6 is a no brainer. Add 3 bottles after draining and you are going to be fine.
Its up to you if you want to put in more or less and what might come along with too much or too little oil.......
.15 quarts over probably wont hurt but the fact .6 remains after you drain and it calls for 3.6 is a no brainer. Add 3 bottles after draining and you are going to be fine.
Its up to you if you want to put in more or less and what might come along with too much or too little oil.......
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Hmmm...I wonder why then it says to pour 3.6 (minus 4 oz.) into it- in the "oil changing" section of the OM? Furthermore, in both books it says to check oil when leaning on jiffy stand both hot and cold temps. Perhaps these books aren't written by experienced riders?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Level it. Drain it. Replace the filter. Pour in what your owner's manual says minus about 1/2 qt. Start it. Look for leaks at plug and oil filter. Turn it off. Check and top half way between add and full. Take it for a spin and get it 5 miles hot. Level and top to a nickel width under full. Next time it 20 miles hot check it and top it a nickel over full. Remember what you added from the start at the first check. Add it to the total and write it in the manual. ill be perfect next time. Do not need to pour in filter. Do not need to worry about little dirty oil in sump. Does not hurt anything. After this do not listen to anyone on here or any video. You are an expert now.
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
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 150
Likes: 18
From: South Florida
My experience with my 08 1200 is and oil change using a drain and refill, takes a total of 2.8 quarts. The 0.8 quart is about 26 oz. Put 4 oz in the filter and let set, and install. Then add 22 oz to the tank (26 - 4) and two full quarts more. When you're done you will have a quart bottle with about 6 oz left over to use for topping off if your motor consumes. Warm the bike up and U will find the level is exactly in the middle of add and full. Perfect!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Yup! I don't think I have ever measured the amount of oil I actually put in a bike, in half a million miles of riding. Everywhere oil goes on any bike has a simple way of checking that the correct amount is in there!
Where engine oil is concerned, I run the engine after installing new oil, check it is going around and top up to compensate for filling the new filter. Done! The only purpose the quantities quoted in the manual serve me is making sure I have enough of the stuff before I drop out the old oil.
Where engine oil is concerned, I run the engine after installing new oil, check it is going around and top up to compensate for filling the new filter. Done! The only purpose the quantities quoted in the manual serve me is making sure I have enough of the stuff before I drop out the old oil.