Did i screw something up ?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Did i screw something up ?
First,,this is not another oil post...but a problem post.
I went ahead and decided to change the fluids in my 2011 E/G ultra myself
I went with Mobil 1 v-twin 20/50 syn in the crank.. Mobil 75/90 in the trans and HD prem + in the Primary. All the levels check out good on the crank and trans. The primary i was careful not to over fill. It seems the motor is making a little more noise than before but then the weather here has turned colder and maybe i should have went a little lighter on the wght. Whats got me wondering is ..I checked and there's no leaks anywhere..and i mean REALLY checked..but when I'm stopped with the bike running i can smell a slight gear lub smell ..I was running all Syn 3.. and the smell seems to be coming from the Primary side..is this a norm with the HD + i did notice that it's heavier then the Syn 3..Should i pull the Primary back off and see if i screwed up the levels.
I havent done that yet..you think the gasket will be ok or should i get anouther new on.. only road about 300 miles sense the change..
I went ahead and decided to change the fluids in my 2011 E/G ultra myself
I went with Mobil 1 v-twin 20/50 syn in the crank.. Mobil 75/90 in the trans and HD prem + in the Primary. All the levels check out good on the crank and trans. The primary i was careful not to over fill. It seems the motor is making a little more noise than before but then the weather here has turned colder and maybe i should have went a little lighter on the wght. Whats got me wondering is ..I checked and there's no leaks anywhere..and i mean REALLY checked..but when I'm stopped with the bike running i can smell a slight gear lub smell ..I was running all Syn 3.. and the smell seems to be coming from the Primary side..is this a norm with the HD + i did notice that it's heavier then the Syn 3..Should i pull the Primary back off and see if i screwed up the levels.
I havent done that yet..you think the gasket will be ok or should i get anouther new on.. only road about 300 miles sense the change..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
I don't know about going lighter than 20-50. I'm an Amzoil guy, but you should have no problems with Mobil1, especially the V-Twin for the engine.
Are you absolutely certain that you didn't spill even ONE DROP of oil anywhere that could heat up on the bike? That alone would cause an oil smell.
Are you absolutely certain that you didn't spill even ONE DROP of oil anywhere that could heat up on the bike? That alone would cause an oil smell.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 4
From: Central Coast CA
I would not worry it is the transmission you are smelling if you did not spill or are leaking anywhere. There is a vent hose on the top of the transmission that will vent these odors, you will really notice it when you change to a new brand or weight as you did especially noticeable with gear oils. Normal will go away shortly.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: California
I run Amsoil in all 3 holes and the engine does sound different. I would not be too concerned about a different sound if you went from another oil MFG to Mobil 1.
If you are saying you may have put the wrong oil in one of the holes then.....
I still do not believe you should be in trouble except that you should not have 75/90 in the engine. That would concern me. If you find that the 75/90 is in the engine I would change it out to 20/50.
I would have to ask the same question as TORQUEY. If you got one drop of oil on a location that will heat it up then you will smell the oil until it burns off. Even if you wipe off a spill. There will be a film there until you burn the film off.
If you changed the oil filter then you probably got some oil on the engine/tranny and are just burning it off. Of course, if you have, it might be aq good idea to wipe off what you can to reduce the time until the film is gone.
If you are saying you may have put the wrong oil in one of the holes then.....
I still do not believe you should be in trouble except that you should not have 75/90 in the engine. That would concern me. If you find that the 75/90 is in the engine I would change it out to 20/50.
I would have to ask the same question as TORQUEY. If you got one drop of oil on a location that will heat it up then you will smell the oil until it burns off. Even if you wipe off a spill. There will be a film there until you burn the film off.
If you changed the oil filter then you probably got some oil on the engine/tranny and are just burning it off. Of course, if you have, it might be aq good idea to wipe off what you can to reduce the time until the film is gone.
Last edited by Matt0987; Oct 4, 2011 at 07:56 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 836
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Hill, CT.
First,,this is not another oil post...but a problem post.
I went ahead and decided to change the fluids in my 2011 E/G ultra myself
I went with Mobil 1 v-twin 20/50 syn in the crank.. Mobil 75/90 in the trans and HD prem + in the Primary. All the levels check out good on the crank and trans. The primary i was careful not to over fill. It seems the motor is making a little more noise than before but then the weather here has turned colder and maybe i should have went a little lighter on the wght. Whats got me wondering is ..I checked and there's no leaks anywhere..and i mean REALLY checked..but when I'm stopped with the bike running i can smell a slight gear lub smell ..I was running all Syn 3.. and the smell seems to be coming from the Primary side..is this a norm with the HD + i did notice that it's heavier then the Syn 3..Should i pull the Primary back off and see if i screwed up the levels.
I havent done that yet..you think the gasket will be ok or should i get anouther new on.. only road about 300 miles sense the change..
I went ahead and decided to change the fluids in my 2011 E/G ultra myself
I went with Mobil 1 v-twin 20/50 syn in the crank.. Mobil 75/90 in the trans and HD prem + in the Primary. All the levels check out good on the crank and trans. The primary i was careful not to over fill. It seems the motor is making a little more noise than before but then the weather here has turned colder and maybe i should have went a little lighter on the wght. Whats got me wondering is ..I checked and there's no leaks anywhere..and i mean REALLY checked..but when I'm stopped with the bike running i can smell a slight gear lub smell ..I was running all Syn 3.. and the smell seems to be coming from the Primary side..is this a norm with the HD + i did notice that it's heavier then the Syn 3..Should i pull the Primary back off and see if i screwed up the levels.
I havent done that yet..you think the gasket will be ok or should i get anouther new on.. only road about 300 miles sense the change..
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Torguey.. i did think about that. I guess i should have also saked ..HOW the H- - l do you get the oil filter off WITHOUT any spill..L.O.L. but i did clean the crap out of it when i was done and the 300 miles i road sense was in a steady down pour from the time i left my garage until i pulled back in. so i was hopeing any spill was washed off. Sickbagger..what you say makes sense.. i friend at work said the same....but he has a 06 with 1300 miles on and never put a wrench to it...so i thought i would ask some MORE informed friends.... Thanks to both of you for the fast reply's.. I only wish i could have gotten this fast of service at any one of the FIVE dealer's with-in my area to do the oil change in the first place..But then ..i guess it's my fault for waiting 2 days before a trip to get it done..But i did enjoy getting my hands into it...AS LONG as i didn't screw the pouch.....
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
I would not worry it is the transmission you are smelling if you did not spill or are leaking anywhere. There is a vent hose on the top of the transmission that will vent these odors, you will really notice it when you change to a new brand or weight as you did especially noticeable with gear oils. Normal will go away shortly.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 3
From: Chattanooga, TN
I sometimes smell the gear lube, can't find a leak anywhere. I use Amsoil 75/90 severe gear in the trans and Amsoil 20W50 Motorcycle oil in the primary and engine. Sometimes seems like the engine noise is noiser from time to time. Drove me crazy so I now just ride the bike and make sure all fluids are correct, and don't worry about it.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,618
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From: Johnstown, PA
I smell the oils all the time, and have no leaks, and don't lose any fluids at time of change. I even posted a thread about it not too long ago, most say "normal" . I guess it is a Harley smell. LOL.