Oil Circulation Problem with 2011 Limited
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 843
Likes: 43
From: Louisiana
The mechanic replaced the O ring today and inspected the cam area with no damage of any kind noted. Of course if by chance a piston was scorched, the only way to detect that would be an engine breakdown. However, the dealer does not believe any damage occurred. The service manager again relayed to me that there was some oil in the engine all the time, as there was some compression (just not what it should have been).
He did mention that they know of only one other instance where this O Ring issue has occurred on a new motor and that was a 2010 96ci engine. I am going to pick the bike up Friday. I trust the mechanic assigned to this issue (I have confirmed to my satisfaction he is the best one they have). If he confirms with me what the service manager relayed to me, I will pursue a free extended warranty extension for piece of mind.
He did mention that they know of only one other instance where this O Ring issue has occurred on a new motor and that was a 2010 96ci engine. I am going to pick the bike up Friday. I trust the mechanic assigned to this issue (I have confirmed to my satisfaction he is the best one they have). If he confirms with me what the service manager relayed to me, I will pursue a free extended warranty extension for piece of mind.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 928
Likes: 1
From: Long Island NY
Sounds like you need a neutral judge to give you a fair hearing ! I would NOT take there word nor their decision that this engine is OK ? When you go 3 years down the road and your engine is banging and spitting out oil out of the seems on it you may think back at how "Trusting" the dealership was and how nice the Head mechanic was when he said everthing is OK ? PROTECT YOURSELF !!
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Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 335
Likes: 2
From:
Port Dawg--
I noticed that the power just did not seem good as I expected on my way home from the dealer. I also noted that the temps were a little high to me for the short ride I had made (I have the digital oil readout). I then checked the oil and it as at the add oil mark.
The bike had the right amount of oil--it was just not getting pushed through the engine as it should have been.
I noticed that the power just did not seem good as I expected on my way home from the dealer. I also noted that the temps were a little high to me for the short ride I had made (I have the digital oil readout). I then checked the oil and it as at the add oil mark.
The bike had the right amount of oil--it was just not getting pushed through the engine as it should have been.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 15
It was sumping the torn oring was preventing the oil pump from scavaging the oil so you had excessive oil in the crankcase which the crank had to run in so that is why your power was down, it is not that uncommon. Do a google search of t/c sumping. You will not have nay problems.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 335
Likes: 2
From:
Latest update.
The dealer called me today to let me know the bike had been thoroughly checked out and it was ready for me to pick up. The service manager took me back to the mechanic and the mechanic went over the tear down he did on the motor. He tore down over a third of the motor to check for any damage and he found none. The mechanic and the service manager test rode the bike over a two day period and they were convinced the torn O ring did not cause any damage to the engine. The service manager fully documented this O ring issue with their service dept and with the factory, and assured me that if that motor had any problem related to this incident, consider it covered.
The owner also came out and told me the same thing. I felt very good about the amount of checking the mechanic did on the motor, but I raised the question of an extended warranty just for piece of mind. The owner offered to sell me an extended warranty at his cost if that made me feel better. Either way, he told me he would fix the engine if I had engine problems in the future related to this issue. This dealer is well known and has a loyal customer base and has been around a good while. The owner, the service crew and management have been at the dealer a long time. All were there when I bought my last bike in 2006. Since there are so many things that can happen to a bike besides the engine, I may take them up on that extended warranty at cost.
I took the long way home this evening and the bike ran flawlessly I really felt the difference in the 103 engine. So far, so good.
The dealer called me today to let me know the bike had been thoroughly checked out and it was ready for me to pick up. The service manager took me back to the mechanic and the mechanic went over the tear down he did on the motor. He tore down over a third of the motor to check for any damage and he found none. The mechanic and the service manager test rode the bike over a two day period and they were convinced the torn O ring did not cause any damage to the engine. The service manager fully documented this O ring issue with their service dept and with the factory, and assured me that if that motor had any problem related to this incident, consider it covered.
The owner also came out and told me the same thing. I felt very good about the amount of checking the mechanic did on the motor, but I raised the question of an extended warranty just for piece of mind. The owner offered to sell me an extended warranty at his cost if that made me feel better. Either way, he told me he would fix the engine if I had engine problems in the future related to this issue. This dealer is well known and has a loyal customer base and has been around a good while. The owner, the service crew and management have been at the dealer a long time. All were there when I bought my last bike in 2006. Since there are so many things that can happen to a bike besides the engine, I may take them up on that extended warranty at cost.
I took the long way home this evening and the bike ran flawlessly I really felt the difference in the 103 engine. So far, so good.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 335
Likes: 2
From:
Good point as I have employees as well and they do have to be supportive of management decisions. However, I have dealt with the Service manager and know this mechanic and I don't think they would tell me what I want to hear. In other words, I consider them honest.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Central Illinois
I don't think you have any trouble inside that engine. It was still pumping oil through the oil pump, maybe somewhat lower on pressure but anything over 10 pounds should be OK. When the crankcase (sump) fills up with oil it definitely will affect power as that oil is tough to spin through. The compression they are talking about is the piston's ability to be able to power through the oil, not that the cylinder compression went down. Anyway, with all the oil being flung around the cylinders should have been super well oiled and the flywheel and rod bearings are roller so all they need is a film of oil anyway but should have gotten plenty from it being flung around the sump. Harleys have so many roller bearing inside the engine that it would take a lot of oil loss for a very long distance to cause problems.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 335
Likes: 2
From:
I don't think you have any trouble inside that engine. It was still pumping oil through the oil pump, maybe somewhat lower on pressure but anything over 10 pounds should be OK. When the crankcase (sump) fills up with oil it definitely will affect power as that oil is tough to spin through. The compression they are talking about is the piston's ability to be able to power through the oil, not that the cylinder compression went down. Anyway, with all the oil being flung around the cylinders should have been super well oiled and the flywheel and rod bearings are roller so all they need is a film of oil anyway but should have gotten plenty from it being flung around the sump. Harleys have so many roller bearing inside the engine that it would take a lot of oil loss for a very long distance to cause problems.
Guntoter, you said it better than I could, and the mechanic pointed these same things out to me as well today when I picked up the bike. But he made some additional checks (besides checking the crankcase to replace the O ring) which gave me more confidence that the engine was ok.