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Engine Oil Disappearing

yegg

yegg

Member
Sep 18, 2015
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And the hits keep on coming.

I checked my engine oil the other day and found it VERY low. It took two quarts to bring it back up to where it should be. I have no been able to check the primary yet to see if that is where it is going. I mention that as I do not have any ground oil and I do not think I'm burning it. On the other hand, I would have thought that 2 additional quarts in the primary would have had some affect. Am I wrong about that? I have read that excess fluid in the primary causes clutch slipping and/or difficulty finding neutral. I have neither symptom. I have noticed that my oil pressure seems to be on the high side. What should it be for a stock motor (except for stage 1)? Next weekend I plan to remove the derby cover and see where my fluid level is. If it is much higher than normal I am going to tear down the primary. I really don't want to do this again any time soon so what seals should be replaced while I am there? Also, is there another possibility for my disappearing oil?

It just seems like everything is going at 50k. :

Ride safe.
 
yegg said:
And the hits keep on coming.

I checked my engine oil the other day and found it VERY low. It took two quarts to bring it back up to where it should be. I have no been able to check the primary yet to see if that is where it is going. I mention that as I do not have any ground oil and I do not think I'm burning it. On the other hand, I would have thought that 2 additional quarts in the primary would have had some affect. Am I wrong about that? I have read that excess fluid in the primary causes clutch slipping and/or difficulty finding neutral. I have neither symptom. I have noticed that my oil pressure seems to be on the high side. What should it be for a stock motor (except for stage 1)? Next weekend I plan to remove the derby cover and see where my fluid level is. If it is much higher than normal I am going to tear down the primary. I really don't want to do this again any time soon so what seals should be replaced while I am there? Also, is there another possibility for my disappearing oil?

It just seems like everything is going at 50k. :

Ride safe.
Click to expand...

There is only one engine dynamic seal. It is behind the alternator on the crankshaft. If bad, the engine can leak into the primary.
 
Hello, I’m new her regardless of what the date says so I apologize in advance for any poor forum etiquette as I’ve never been on one.
There is a good chance you may not notice excessive fluid in your primary depending on how you ride. Normal oil pressure for me has been 30-45psi if I remember correctly.
I had a very similar problem with my bike consuming oil, it would be a quart low in a long day of riding. No smoke, no extra oil in primary. It turned out to be rings/ jugs out of round. This was somewhere in the middle of an endless never solved crankcase breathing problem that also cost me a lot of oil but that is a different topic. I’ll cross my fingers that it’s burned or in the primary for you, better than doing a top end....unless of course you want an excuse for upgrades, in which case, I’m afraid it’s your rings, they’re bad😉
 
I experienced similar symptoms with my 2015 FLHXS at around 71,000 miles. No burning, no leaks but oil was disappearing in large quantities. I was averaging 600 miles a day and usually had to add a quart every day. Before I realized that some of the oil was going into the Primary, it also developed a small leak on the rear head. The head leak was way too small to account for all the oil I was losing though. In the end, I upgraded to an S&S 111" and the problem is solved. Probably not the solution you're looking for, but it worked for me, Lol.
 
I am on my 2nd engine upgrade, first one on my way back engine oil went low and started to make noise so I pulled over and check and found very low where it'll not register. I ended up filling it up with 2qts and rode home from Laughlin. Once I got back, dropped it off at the shop, found bad news to the jugs so another engine upgrade. Now I am checking my engine a lot and still seeing disappearing engine oil. Not burning, no leak, primary is not over filled so what's going on. I had the shop check and shop told me everything is good and just keep checking and fill as needed......WTH? Never had this issue with my other bikes, I am really getting to a point ready to ditch Harley product all together. Indian Challenger is starting look good.

I have also read somewhere that Harley engines are known for this, is that the fact?
 
BlkDragon I've had 3 different M-8's and never had this problem.
 
Update:

OK, so I finally got around to getting my bikes to my new house and finding time to check into this further. I was going to do a fluid change and decided to check the level in my primary first by pulling the derby cover. Oil started spilling out as soon as i loosened the bolts holding it in place. I guess I found out that oil is crossing over from the crankcase to the primary. Is this the seal that sits in the inner primary housing or is it actually in the crankcase?

If I am not mistaken the inner primary case has three seals (main seal between the crankcase and primary, the starter motor, and the shift shaft). Is that correct?

Thanks.
 
hulkss said:
There is only one engine dynamic seal. It is behind the alternator on the crankshaft. If bad, the engine can leak into the primary.
Click to expand...

I finished the tear down this evening and I think you are correct as to where the leak is. I'm sure I'm being dense, but does the stator sit in oil or should it be bone dry in there?

I haven't found a lot of information on replacing the seal behind the stator but I do have one. Is it simply as straightforward as removing the old one, using assembly lube on the new one, and then pressing it into place? Is a special tool to set the depth recommended?

Is it considered good practice to replace the shift shaft seal and the seal in the backside of the inner primary housing that is behind the clutch while I have everything apart (again)?
 
Thanks! I ordered the tool yesterday. Until it gets here I’m just going take more pieces off and clean. I’m also kind of tempted to install a compensator eliminator but I’m still trying to figure out which way to go.


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Thanks for the info on the compensator eliminator. It’s a little too much for me right now. I have decided to go ahead and replace the gaskets on the rear cylinder as well and install rocker lockers while I’m in there.


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