'05 Burning oil
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,391
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From:
'05 Burning oil
No, this is not a recording. My '05 is burning oil. Did the 5k a month or so ago and down a quart of oil. I have only put on 1500 miles in that time. Does it sound like a valve seal situation, or is normal. I searched and read several posts on the matter and it does not seem normal, by what I have read. The problem I have is my warranty is up at the end of September (I think). I bought the bike used, how can I check when my warranty expires? Also, will this be a fix that I can have done for free if I am out of warranty? If not, is there any harm not fixing it? Will it be okay to just add oil when I see it is down, or will I need to shell out to have it fixed? Lots of questions, I know, but I am on a time crunch. I use Amsoil, and have not been able to make it to the rep who sells it because of the holiday, and I don't want to run the bike a quart low. That can't be good, right? Can I mix the oil with another brand, if I can't get to the rep tomorrow?
Thanks guys.
Thanks guys.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 10
From: Mass
RE: '05 Burning oil
Papa, I would think by now you would be out of warrnty unless you bought AFTER Sept,05. My 05 had a May-05 build date which means I believe it had the "running change" done to the seals at the factory so oil consumption is normal. Having said that I believe you may find that HD will consider your oil-use normal too. It's a motorcycle thing that a higher level of oil consumption is "normal", (probably due to the higher temps in an air-cooled rig) and somewhere in the manual it says what amount that is. I know it would aggravate me too if I had to put in a quart every 1500, but in the old days that was very common(pre-evo). After the 05's were out a little while I think I remember some guys talkin about 1 qt every 500 miles! And as I remember most of them met with real resistance from dealers to do anything about it. I hope you get treated well and let us know the results of your contact with the rep...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,238
Likes: 0
From: Desmoines, Iowa
RE: '05 Burning oil
if you have warrenty left get in there. and just tell them it's more than what you said .they did have a valve seal problem.and if you dont have warrenty left you stuck.make a nice winter project.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,296
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From:
RE: '05 Burning oil
You probably have a case of bad valve seals - you shoud never be using that much oil. Either you or your dealer will inspect the plugs to see which cylinder is the culpret. It very well may be covered since there was a technical bulletin on this little defect, compliments of HD.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
RE: '05 Burning oil
For what it's worth my '05 E-G used about 1.5 quartsof 20W-50 Amsoil during our 4600 mile round trip toSturgis over a 12 day period.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 9
From: Staten island NY
RE: '05 Burning oil
papa sorry about your situation...I would first call HD and find out when your warranty ends, the pull your plugs to see if the look like they were dipped in tar.. My 05 Ultra never smoked and ran good, just burn 2 qts in 1000 miles... At 5000 miles I had the valves redone thru HD and now at 19500 same thing.. I since traded it in for a 05 just for time. the repairs under the ESP were looking at 6-8 weeks and this was July... CAN YOU SAY PRIME RIDING >>. Anyway good luck and ride safe
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,551
Likes: 2
From: Contributor to HDForums.com
RE: '05 Burning oil
I had a 2005 FLSTSCI (Softail Springer Classic) that used oil, much in the same way yours is. H-D came out with Valve Guide Seals that were modified to fix the problem and my dealer put them in for free at the time, since the bike was under warranty.
If you find out your bike is out of warranty, I don't think the fix is too expensive. Do some checking around on the various Vtwin/HDforums, etc. and search for oil consumption.
If you find out your bike is out of warranty, I don't think the fix is too expensive. Do some checking around on the various Vtwin/HDforums, etc. and search for oil consumption.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 4
From: MONTGOMERY,AL.
RE: '05 Burning oil
That is not normal. Yes you can mix Amsoil with another syn 20w50 without a problem. Have your dealer enter your vin at HD.NET UNDER SWR INQUIRY and it will tell you if you are out of warranty. If you are not out you may consider talking to the finance person and taking out an extended warranty. The o5 bikes should not be using that much oil. I have an 03 with a 95 inch build with tw-37 gear drive cams. Recently I have traveled about 3,000 miles and am about to change it but this milage was done in heavy hot traffic and about 700 miles at plus 80MPH on 100 plus days and have only used about three quarters of a quart. Check it out .Running a quart low will not hurt. A lot of the oil is for cooling rather than lubrication but dont let it ride. Get some added ASAP.