The dealer will want to verify the oil level and then seal the tank and ask you to return based on how much oil you add to the tank in a period of time. Here's the guidelines that they use to determine the oil consumption.

It should be covered by the manufacturers warranty once the oil consumptionis verified, the 05 heads had a verified problem with the valve seals.


August 10, 2005

Diagnosing Oil Consumption

There has been a rise in oil consumption complaints on 2005 – 06 model year vehicles.
The intent of this Tech Tip is to help you determine if there is an actual oil consumption
issue and more accurately diagnose the root cause.

1. First, determine if there is excessive oil consumption by analyzing the customer
complaint and vehicle condition.
• Many times fuel delivery related issues cause smoking complaints and may even
gas wash cylinders leading customers to believe they have an "oil burner" on their
hands.
• Is the vehicle modified and what is its state of tune?
• Does the EFI calibration match the actual components on the vehicle?
• Is there fuel stand off in the air cleaner or manifold?
2. What is excessive consumption?
• Customers may not realize that all engines have some normal rate of oil
consumption, and air cooled engines are more prone to use some oil in the course
of normal operation. It would not be unusual for a Twin Cam engine to use one
quart of oil in 1500 miles or a middleweight powertrain to use one quart of oil in
1000 miles.
• Oil consumption is impacted by engine condition, mileage, duty cycle (how the
vehicle is operated and in what environmental conditions), and accessories.
• Is the vehicle through its break-in period? Remember rings must seat before they
will begin to seal the cylinder to piston clearance.
• After a discussion with the customer on the complaint and a brief inspection of the
vehicle you should be able to determine if you a dealing with a rich condition, oil
consumption complaint, or customer misperceptions.
3. Determine the real rate of consumption.
• To determine the rate of oil consumption bring the oil level to the full line following
the "Checking With Warm Engine" procedures outlined in the service manual and
tape the filler neck closed.
• Have the customer ride the vehicle and inspect the level at 500-mile intervals to
determine the actual rate of consumption. Be careful not to overfill the tank, as that
will provide a false indication of consumption.
• If the rate of consumption exceeds the norm, you will need to review duty cycle with
the customer and then begin your inspection of the engine's state-of-tune
accordingly.

August 10, 2005

4. Verify the system before you tear it down.
• Don't overlook the obvious items before disassembly. How are the oil hoses (tight
clamps, routings, etc.)?
• Verify breather operation, this might be a carry-over situation. If you blow lightly into
the breather snorkels, there should be some resistance if the umbrella valves are
closing properly.
• Verify oil pressure and oil return functions. You might be dealing with an oiling
system issue and/or a wet-sumped lower end.
• Take a compression reading and perform a leakdown test. Remember to write down
the numbers, Technical Service is sure to ask for them.
• If leak down exceeds 10% determine where it is leaking by. Into the lower end, out
the exhaust or intake port, or through a head gasket?
5. Now begin your disassembly based on your findings, and keep both eyes open
as you take things apart for clues to the root cause.
• If the leakage was primarily into the crankcase, then you are chasing a piston to
cylinder sealing issues. To rule out a barreled or tapered cylinder re-check leak
down in three places (top - middle - bottom) in the stroke once the rocker arm
support

 

[quote]ORIGINAL: glide

The dealer will want to verify the oil level and then seal the tank and ask you to return based on how much oil you add to the tank in a period of time. Here's the guidelines that they use to determine the oil consumption.

It should be covered by the manufacturers warranty once the oil consumptionis verified, the 05 heads had a verified problem with the valve seals.


August 10, 2005

Diagnosing Oil Consumption

There has been a rise in oil consumption complaints on 2005 – 06 model year vehicles.
The intent of this Tech Tip is to help you determine if there is an actual oil consumption
issue and more accurately diagnose the root cause.

1. First, determine if there is excessive oil consumption by analyzing the customer
complaint and vehicle condition.
• Many times fuel delivery related issues cause smoking complaints and may even
gas wash cylinders leading customers to believe they have an "oil burner" on their
hands.
• Is the vehicle modified and what is its state of tune?
• Does the EFI calibration match the actual components on the vehicle?
• Is there fuel stand off in the air cleaner or manifold?
2. What is excessive consumption?
• Customers may not realize that all engines have some normal rate of oil
consumption, and air cooled engines are more prone to use some oil in the course
of normal operation. It would not be unusual for a Twin Cam engine to use one
quart of oil in 1500 miles or a middleweight powertrain to use one quart of oil in
1000 miles.
• Oil consumption is impacted by engine condition, mileage, duty cycle (how the
vehicle is operated and in what environmental conditions), and accessories.
• Is the vehicle through its break-in period? Remember rings must seat before they
will begin to seal the cylinder to piston clearance.
• After a discussion with the customer on the complaint and a brief inspection of the
vehicle you should be able to determine if you a dealing with a rich condition, oil
consumption complaint, or customer misperceptions.
3. Determine the real rate of consumption.
• To determine the rate of oil consumption bring the oil level to the full line following
the "Checking With Warm Engine" procedures outlined in the service manual and
tape the filler neck closed.
• Have the customer ride the vehicle and inspect the level at 500-mile intervals to
determine the actual rate of consumption. Be careful not to overfill the tank, as that
will provide a false indication of consumption.
• If the rate of consumption exceeds the norm, you will need to review duty cycle with
the customer and then begin your inspection of the engine's state-of-tune
accordingly.

August 10, 2005

4. Verify the system before you tear it down.
• Don't overlook the obvious items before disassembly. How are the oil hoses (tight
clamps, routings, etc.)?
• Verify breather operation, this might be a carry-over situation. If you blow lightly into
the breather snorkels, there should be some resistance if the umbrella valves are
closing properly.
• Verify oil pressure and oil return functions. You might be dealing with an oiling
system issue and/or a wet-sumped lower end.
• Take a compression reading and perform a leakdown test. Remember to write down
the numbers, Technical Service is sure to ask for them.
• If leak down exceeds 10% determine where it is leaking by. Into the lower end, out
the exhaust or intake port, or through a head gasket?
5. Now begin your disassembly based on your findings, and keep both eyes open
as you take things apart for clues to the root cause.
• If the leakage was primarily into the crankcase, then you are chasing a piston to
cylinder sealing issues. To rule out a barreled or tapered cylinder re-check leak
down in three places (top - middle - bottom) in the stroke onc

 

That's what seperates the good dealers from the not so good ones, cutting through the BS and doing what they know needs to be done.

 

I have an 05 Ultra that was loosing a quart of oil every 1,000-1,200 miles. Getting to a dealer andleaving the bike isdifficult.I wrote down the milage and how much was put in each time. After a trip scheduled the bike oil usage. Gave them the list of oil and mileage. Was told that was all they needed. Did a leak down test replaced rings and valve seals no charge. Runs better now than it did new!

 

I have an '06 with 9600 miles and I haven't had any trouble with oil usage or anything, does this mean I have the better valve seals?

The build date on the bike id 9/05

 

As long as you've got to take the heads off anyway, might as well send them off to Big Boyz and let Bean fix them up right

 

I can't vouch for the last couple of years but I know that HD valve guide seals are junk. Whenever you have your head apart never put HD seala back on. They get hot one time and they get hard and start leaking. Ever watch a Harley parade? By the end there are all these bikes chuffing blue smoke out the back! Try and get your dealer to install the blue VITON seals. They are spring loaded and last a long long time. They withstand heat much better.

 

Same problem with my 05 Ultra, after the run around, told them that the rear plug was always getting crusty and that needed to be fixed. Well, guess what they did - had to replace the valve seals to stop it. Only now uses like one quart every 5000 miles (was using like 1 quart every 1200 miles).

 

my 05 burneD 2 QTS OF OIL IN 500 MILES. FIXED ??AT THE dealer of purchase..that was 5000 miles. at 19500 same problem. HD sold me a new 07 for cost
no more pinging, oil burning and MOCO bullsheet
clues a re plugs foul and pinging as you throttle up
good luck

 

I am sure the MOCO has a max allowable oil consumption spec for each engine....no? Well if your outside that, and your warranty is still in force, it should and would be a covered repair. I would just want to make dam sure they followed the correct diagnostics procedure as outlined in the tech bulletin posted above.....other than that its straight forward wrenching, and keeping your eyes open.