Burning Oil
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
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Burning Oil
Bike is an 09 Road King that is stock either than a set of slip on mufflers. Had no issues until the bike went in for 5000 mile service.
Started to notice a burning oil smell after the bike was serviced. Took it back and the dealer claimed they could not duplicate the smell. I had them send a different tech out and they noticed the smell also. Left the dealer with them changing out some sort of shaft seal they said was leaking.
Rode a hundred or so miles and the smell has returned. I notice most when I am decellerating(speeling?) from highway speeds and downshifting.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Started to notice a burning oil smell after the bike was serviced. Took it back and the dealer claimed they could not duplicate the smell. I had them send a different tech out and they noticed the smell also. Left the dealer with them changing out some sort of shaft seal they said was leaking.
Rode a hundred or so miles and the smell has returned. I notice most when I am decellerating(speeling?) from highway speeds and downshifting.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
burning oil in the motor= smoke.
you have white smoke from tailpipe?
if you only smell hot oil then you may have some spilled on the cases, getting warm- you see anything like that ?
Mike
you have white smoke from tailpipe?
if you only smell hot oil then you may have some spilled on the cases, getting warm- you see anything like that ?
Mike
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
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Thanks for the replys so far.
I do not see smoke but I haven't been specifically looking either.
I have washed the bike a few times hoping it was burning residue but that hasn't helped.
I don't smell it while riding or at a stop, only when downshifting to come to a stop.
I do not see smoke but I haven't been specifically looking either.
I have washed the bike a few times hoping it was burning residue but that hasn't helped.
I don't smell it while riding or at a stop, only when downshifting to come to a stop.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
Check the transmission cover on the right side. The 2 bottom screws sometimes get loose and transmission oil can leak down on the header.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,895
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From: Southern WV
Having the exact same issue with my 08 Ultra. Smell is only on decell. No leaks anywhere. Seems like the issue started when I started using synthetic oil. Next change is about due, I may try going back to dino oil just to see if it makes a difference.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
My rambled thoughts. Three drops of petroleum can smell up my whole garage. However I think you may be paranoid thinking you are smelling it going forward. If you really can you would see smoke. Maybe setting at a red light on a calm day sure or in your garage. I know ridding my bike I get all kinds of wifes of smells but there from the other guy or service stations I just past. If they did not clean up and left oil from the filter change now that will indeed drip for days. They should have done looked for that. Was was the shaft seal on the tech's bike?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
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From: SE Illinois
Both of you that have this issue stated that it hadn't done it until it was serviced. My guess is that the dealer or whoever serviced your bike overfilled the oil in the case, which in turn is going to blow excess back through the breather, which would be more noticeable on decel only since there would be back pressure through the breather during this time rather than a vacuum.
Often times when the crankcase is over-filled, the excess will blow back into the breather, and in extreme cases can even leak out from here.
Check your oil level....where is it on the stick when cold/hot. Many dealers put too much oil in the bike during service...it's common. I believe this could likely be your issue.
Often times when the crankcase is over-filled, the excess will blow back into the breather, and in extreme cases can even leak out from here.
Check your oil level....where is it on the stick when cold/hot. Many dealers put too much oil in the bike during service...it's common. I believe this could likely be your issue.