Harley-Davidson Oil Change

Q: Hi there,

I’m hoping to get your valuable opinion on a recent issue. I’ve got a 2005 Screamin Eagle Electra Glide. Last service, the dude left it low on oil, and in a rush, I mistakenly dumped an entire quart in it thinking it’d be okay if it was 1/4 quart too much. Well, I was wrong, because after a long-ish high-rpm ride, the back of the motor, brakes, rear wheel, etc were soaked.

So I cleaned everything and changed the oil (and filter) with four fresh quarts of Syn3. I thought the problem was solved, but after another ride, there was clean fresh oil making a puddle on top of the transmission case, and of course, the back of the bike (brakes, wheel, etc.) are soaked again. I even pulled off the air filter. There was a sheen from oil, but no real mess. I was under the impression that overfilled crankcase oil would come out the breather (which is fine), but now that it’s got exactly four quarts in it again, why is it still blowing out oil? Could I have ruined some seals or gaskets elsewhere? It’s a really nice bike… and now I’m nervous.

Thanks VERY much in advance!
Dave L

A: Dave, if you are still dumping four entire quarts into your bike; you may still be overfilling the system. You need to purchase four quarts of oil for a Harley-Davidson oil change on a 2005 Electra Glide, but rarely will you need to use more than 3 1/2 or 3 3/4 quarts for only an oil change. Usually, like you said, an overfilled system will leak from the top breather (or sometimes blow out your fill plug). As for where this oil is coming from, you are going to have to play a little detective. Remember: the oil will always be making its way from top to bottom and front to back. However, the first thing we would check is to see if your transmission is overfilled. An overfilled transmission will leak out of the transmission vent and will make the area you described wet with fluid. See if the vent line is wet at the end. Good luck.

Related Question:

Hi,

My 2010 Fatboy had an oil change done and has been overfilled by half a liter. I picked it up from the shop, went for a 300-kilometer ride, and when I got home to check it over, it was overfilled.

A: That is not really a big deal. However, it can be messy if oil begins to push by your oil fill plug while riding. Remove your oil drain plug and drain out what is necessary to have the correct oil level for your bike.

Related Question:

Hi guys,

I recently purchased an ’07 Softail Deluxe. It only had 9,200 miles on it when I bought it, and now that I’ve put 800 miles on it, I decided to change my oil. I changed the engine oil and checked the plug magnet, which was clean, so I completed that change. I next changed the transmission oil and found it to be fairly clean with a little bit of cloudiness from what seemed like very, very fine metallic shavings. It wasn’t a lot, but just a bit of it in the oil and some on the magnet in the plug. Next, I changed the primary oil and found it to be the dirtiest of all the oils with some metallic shavings on the plug magnet. Again, not very much, but just clustered around the magnet. Also strangely, the primary plug magnet seemed to be chipped or corroded about a quarter of the way. I have heard that some ware is to be expected, but how much is okay, and when is it bad enough to do something about?

Thanks,
Tom R

A: Nothing you described is cause for concern. If you have chunks of steel or aluminum, you have a problem, but you would typically be aware of the problem before draining the fluid.

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19 Responses to “Harley-Davidson Oil Change”

  1. Jeff Martineau

    44626 I have a 91 sportster 1200 recently purchased. My experience is with a 73 1000. Ive watched three videos on here and so far none of them have had an oil drain plug location that helps me find mine. I was low on oil and thought that to get me the 18 miles to go i could top off with 30 wt and then change the oil. It was a mistake,I know. I ordered a bible frome Haynes which hasnt arrived yet. The closest i can tell is the line coming from the oil tank and running to the crank case is the only possibility for draining. Ive always believed the only dumb question is the one you dont ask. Wheres the plug on this putt?</strong></strong>

  2. John Pablo

    I have a 17 RK I got the clutch recall done now I have a oil leak, shop has not been encouraging. Bringing it in for 2nd time. Any suggestions?

  3. bobby.mckee

    Hey fellow riders I'm new to this site so I figured I would try it out Q: I have a 1991 heritage soft tail have had it 26 years oil changes no problem but I recently purchased a 2005 cvo electra ultra classic SE and am ready to start doing service myself but this idea of bikes having a oil pan blows my mind call me old school I guess anyway do these newer bikes have separate drain plugs for engine oil and trans thanks and keep dirty side down

  4. carl

    ive got a 08 rocker thought starter and batt went outpushed started reved high for 30 sec,then started sputtering and died. thought some1put suger or smthing in gas and oil so i drained tank and new gas cleaned plugs drained oil and about 2 shotglasses came out and tank is full. changed oil several times never this happend wtf?

  5. Frank

    found the plugs for the primary and trans thought I found the crankcase plug but when I pulled it very little oil came out and ive looked everywhere only seen that plug . dipstick was out.. I have a 2007 fatboy now not sure if I drained something else the oil tank is still full

  6. Dustin Joyner

    Trans oil is going into the primary. Change the oil and ride 400 miles or so and the trans will be low and the primary will be over full. Had a new trans installed, case and all. Bike is still doing the same thing.

  7. Rogue T.M/C

    Last sept on my way to Denver my oil plug popped out going down the highway somewhere around 90 mph (Utah speed limits are 85) and gave my wife a nice set of second and 3rd degree burns, I thought maybe the rubber on the dipstick might have been bad and so I replaced it or that maybe I'd overfilled the oil bag. Tonight coming up on Memorial Day going for an evening putt. The dipstick popped out again and again spraying my wife with oil. We've put well over 60000 miles on this bike together and never had this problem. It's an 08 FXSTC stage 1, v&amp;h pipes power commander etc etc. the only thing motor wise done recently was I had cams, lifters, adj pushrods, and changed the cams from chain drive to gear drive. All cam and valve train parts are s&amp;is. The cams are the 585ez starts. Needless to say the wife is getting alittle gunshy and we leave for tombstone and Mexico day after tomorrow. Any tips hints suggestions would be appreciated. I'm about ready to bolt the oil plug to the bag.

  8. Ronnie

    2007 street glide and I think my inner primary is leaking not bad but I do see a drop or two after sitting a while. Is this a major concern and fix or just worrying too much? My first bike and I'm not a very good mechanic? Please help Thx!

  9. scott harteau

    I have a 2007 flhx and my oil pressure is good running at 32 my temp is good but no oil in my oil filter

  10. George

    I enjoy this site immensely It has kept me out of trouble with my bike by watching and seeing what I don't feel I am capable of doing with my limited experience mechanically with the bike. I recently watched your video on " the baker oil pan up grade" I have always changed the oil with a Scavenger oil change system My question is this is the scavenger oil change system compatible with the baker oil pan?</em><em>