| Author | Message | ||
     Phantom5oh |
Okay, so I'm due for my 1000 mile service, but the dealership cant do it until June 23rd. My oil level has dipped into "Add" and when I asked them what kind of oil to use they said I had to buy the oil from them because it needs to be HD brand oil. Now the dealership is about an hour away, and I'm not making a trip just to buy a quart of oil. I have some Valvoline 20W-50 and 10W-40 Conventional Motor Oil that has the API Services SL/SJ seal of approval. Is this oil okay to use just to add enough to top it off? Or should I go out and buy some Diesel engine oil which is CF-4, CG-4, CH-4 or CI-4 approved like the Buell Owners Manual suggests? | ||
| Whodom |
You are NOT required to use HD brand oil. Check posts here about the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. It basically says if HD says you HAVE to use HD oil or your warranty is void, then HD has to provide you the oil for free. I would suggest you follow the oil viscosity and grade recommendations in the owner's manual. If you don't follow those and they somehow catch you, they could legitimately void your warranty. Personally, I'd go ahead and buy 3 quarts of Mobil-1 V-twin 20W-50 synthetic, an appropriate oil filter, and change it myself. Then I'd have the dealer just do the remainder of the 1000 mile service when you bring the bike in. | ||
| Ted |
nows a good time to switch to synth oil. I'd say if you're going to put significant miles on it before June23, then do the oil change yourself. "Jerseyguy' posted a helpfull filter list eg: Fram ph4967, k&n hp-1003 etc.. and of course tons o' oil suggestions are posted. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Quick question. Are you doing a hot check on the oil? If so then add some more with what the above people said. Just make certain you do a hot check first because otherwise you overfill and get a messy airbox. | ||
| Ivershay |
get Rotella 20w50 diesel oil if your just going to top it off. its the closest formulation to the hd20w50 thats in the bike from the factory. if your gonna change it completely, go synthetic. | ||
| Brucelee |
I have never seen Rotella T 20-50. I use the 5-40 in my Porsches. Great stuff. BTW-the Mobil 1 20-50 is also great stuff. Ditto Red Line. | ||
| Brucelee |
According to the Shell website, there is no 20-50 Rotella T syn oil. | ||
| Phantom5oh |
I have been doing hot checks. Well by the time I got home from work last night (stupid traffic) the only parts store open was Lappens, and the only Diesel oil they had was Castrol GTX Diesel 15W-40. According to the label it meets all the specs the Buell Manual requires. The bike was hot when I added the oil and I haven't touched it since. I want to go to Laconia next weekend and since the dealership can't get it done in time and I'm already 100 miles overdue I decided to buy everything I need to do the services myself. Any suggestions on where to buy the scan/diagnostic tool and service manual? I am going to switch over to synthetics, which ones do you recommend (engine & trans)? | ||
| Typeone |
I don't want to hijack the thread but I just had my 1K service done too and had the shop throw Harley Synth in. Man is that stuff crap! I had changed the oil at 500mi with Mobil 1 (75w90 primary, 15w50 engine) and experienced MUCH better shifting. It's back to feeling extra clunky with the H-D stuff back in there. Another couple of rides and its coming out. Never again. | ||
| Ivershay |
go to any truck stop, comes in a blue bottle (Message edited by ivershay on June 11, 2005) | ||
| Tim |
Typeone, You are describing the symptoms of an overfilled primary. Maybe they put in a whole qt. Double check the oil level through the inspection cover. | ||
| Typeone |
hmm, great point Tim. maybe i shouldn't jump the gun. I'll check the level. | ||
| Poondogger |
Tim, The service manual gives the capacity of approximately 1qt. That's what I put in mine, should I consider taking some out? | ||
| Tim |
You never get all of old lube out. Note the word "approximately". I overfilled mine once and experienced shifting difficulty. Got the old turkey baster out and sucked it down to the proper level. Problem solved. | ||
| Odinbueller |
Always make sure the oil level is just touching the gears on the clutch diaphragm spring at the bottom of the primary. Some service manuals state the you can use up to 32 oz., but that is pretty much a dry primary scenario. It's best to always look to see where the fluid lies on your clutch and not go by fluid amounts. | ||
| Typeone |
Tim, you were exactly right. Thanks for reminding me about this, i'm still getting the basic stuff imprinted in my brain! I checked the primary and as soon as i cracked two of the bolts oil came POURING out. Not good. I drained about 4oz out and the level is perfect now, just touching the gears when the bike is upright like I had done at 500mi. Disappointed in my dealer service. This is a basic item! Calling them in the AM. |
