Overfloring Oil Pot

3059 Views 30 Replies 12 Participants Last post by JerseyDoug, Aug 27, 2014

igya

Discussion Starter · Aug 25, 2014

My ‘05 1200C has presented me with my very first real concern after 25,000 miles. My oil pot stays full to the top and even oozes past the cap o-ring. I removed almost a pint of the 20w50 full synthetic Lucas oil that has only about 600 miles of use and after riding around about 2 miles, it’s to the top again. The oil light goes out immediately upon cranking and everything seems to be just fine except for the oil level. I would think that if the pump was bad, the light would be on. This is my first sporty and I’d really like to keep it. Any clues as to what it might be? I’ve searched for previous post on this and can’t find anything.

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

Chief Illiniwek

· #2 · Aug 25, 2014

This is going to sound ridiculous, but, is it possible you forgot to drain the oil at the last change and you simply have way too damn much oil in it?

Is sounds like it's just full as eff.

Thunder~Struck

· #3 · Aug 25, 2014

Chief Illiniwek said:
This is going to sound ridiculous, but, is it possible you forgot to drain the oil at the last change and you simply have way too damn much oil in it?

Is sounds like it's just full as eff.

Or just plain put to much in.

GotGold

· #4 · Aug 25, 2014

O.P. Been there done that, added oil to my Sporty, because it showed real low.. but I checked the level when it was cold.. wrong, big time wrong. Fired up the bike and SUPRISE!! These guys are right, sounds like too much in the first place. Always check oil level on a Sporty at operating temp.

igya

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 25, 2014

Chief Illiniwek said:
This is going to sound ridiculous, but, is it possible you forgot to drain the oil at the last change and you simply have way too damn much oil in it?

Is sounds like it's just full as eff.

Actually, It was completely drained after a warmup ride and was changed exactly the way it should have been (according to the factory manual) and it was always at the proper level hot for the last 600 miles until yesterday. The engine has only about 3.4 quarts in it after I removed some, but after riding it again, it filled back up to the top. I had another rider say that the manual gives 3.6 quarts for a DRY engine and the refill amount should be only 2.8 quarts. I'll drain more out and see what happens.

Yon Yonson

· #6 · Aug 25, 2014

At this point, I'd drain it all and start over.

Chief Illiniwek

· #7 · Aug 25, 2014

igya said:
Actually, It was completely drained after a warmup ride and was changed exactly the way it should have been (according to the factory manual) and it was always at the proper level hot for the last 600 miles until yesterday. The engine has only about 3.4 quarts in it after I removed some, but after riding it again, it filled back up to the top. I had another rider say that the manual gives 3.6 quarts for a DRY engine and the refill amount should be only 2.8 quarts. I'll drain more out and see what happens.

If the level was right before, and you haven't added any oil since, then "too much oil" can't be the problem. I'll wait for the wrenches to come along, but this sounds like a problem. I wouldn't run that engine until we get it figured out.

igya

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 25, 2014

buckshot85 said:
At this point, I'd drain it all and start over.

Okay, Ive got it to 2.8 quarts and the dipstick is at the full mark with a hot engine. The oil that I removed was hot so I know it had to be circulating. It looks like everyone was right...overfilled. I guess the cap o-ring just finally gave up and that's why it all of a suddenly let the oil ooze out. AND, I'll admit that I might have been checking the level wrong before. Now, if the engine doesn't seize up, I'll be set to go. I want to than all of you for giving me a peace of mind!!

El Diablo

· #9 · Aug 25, 2014

The oil doesn't smell like gasoline does it?

Edit. Looks like you found the issue.

Chief Illiniwek

· #10 · Aug 25, 2014

igya said:
Okay, Ive got it to 2.8 quarts and the dipstick is at the full mark with a hot engine. The oil that I removed was hot so I know it had to be circulating. It looks like everyone was right...overfilled. I guess the cap o-ring just finally gave up and that's why it all of a suddenly let the oil ooze out. AND, I'll admit that I might have been checking the level wrong before. Now, if the engine doesn't seize up, I'll be set to go. I want to than all of you for giving me a peace of mind!!

Well, if overfilling the oil is the worst snafu you got, you're way ahead of me.

GotGold

· #11 · Aug 25, 2014

igya said:
Okay, Ive got it to 2.8 quarts and the dipstick is at the full mark with a hot engine. The oil that I removed was hot so I know it had to be circulating. It looks like everyone was right...overfilled. I guess the cap o-ring just finally gave up and that's why it all of a suddenly let the oil ooze out. AND, I'll admit that I might have been checking the level wrong before. Now, if the engine doesn't seize up, I'll be set to go. I want to than all of you for giving me a peace of mind!!

Glad it turned out for ya. We all efff up, we are human, great part about this place is we can be honest about it and help one another out.. Ride safe.

igya

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 25, 2014

forty2366 said:
The oil doesn't smell like gasoline does it?

Edit. Looks like you found the issue.

Nope, just plain ol' oil. I'm going to ride it with, what I've discovered to be the correct amount, and see what happens.

Dave63

· #13 · Aug 25, 2014

igya said:
Okay, Ive got it to 2.8 quarts and the dipstick is at the full mark with a hot engine. The oil that I removed was hot so I know it had to be circulating. It looks like everyone was right...overfilled. I guess the cap o-ring just finally gave up and that's why it all of a suddenly let the oil ooze out. AND, I'll admit that I might have been checking the level wrong before. Now, if the engine doesn't seize up, I'll be set to go. I want to than all of you for giving me a peace of mind!!

Engine should have 2.5 qts, as per the TSB and rider's discovery with leaking like it's overfilled and venting out the head vents at highway speeds.

Another trick is to replace the o-rings on the dipstick. They go bad from time to time.

igya

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 25, 2014

Dave63 said:
Engine should have 2.5 qts, as per the TSB and rider's discovery with leaking like it's over filled and a simple fix is to simply replace the o-rings on the dipstick. They go bad from time to time.

Man, you guys lifted a heavy load off my mind because I'm going to the BBB rally in Fayetteville, Arkansas next month and was a bit concerned about my ride. I wish I could meet some of you there. It's quite a big-time rally. Thanks again (and I really mean it)!

Dave63

· #15 · Aug 25, 2014

2.5 to 2.75 is good. Anything more and the engine is prone to excessive oil venting at highway speeds.

Most guys here with XL models will tell you that.

XL1200R

· #16 · Aug 25, 2014

Dave63 said:
2.5 to 2.75 is good. Anything more and the engine is prone to excessive oil venting at highway speeds.

Most guys here with XL models will tell you that.

Agreed.

Food for thought.

Change the oil and add fluid until it reaches halfway up the dipstick.
Then, run the bike for 10 miles or so.

Come home, check the level and fill it to 1/2-5/8ths up the dipstick. This will ensure the oil will not overflow but also so that in case you burn a little oil between changes you won't dip under.

More food for thought...
I have checked my oil cold (and by cold I mean sometimes even as little as 2 hours of not riding) and the oil is 1/2 quart lower than it should be.
If you are ever nervous about starting the bike because you don't see oil on the dipstick shine a flashlight in there and see if any is in the tank. As long as there is some in the tank start it up.. Let it idle for a few minutes and see if it comes up to the dipstick. If so, ride it for 10 minutes or more and add until you get to the lever you want.

Personally I don't worry about how much quart wise is in there so long as it is at the right level...

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igya

Discussion Starter · #17 · Aug 25, 2014

XL1200R said:
Agreed.

Food for thought.

Change the oil and add fluid until it reaches halfway up the dipstick.
Then, run the bike for 10 miles or so.

Come home, check the level and fill it to 1/2-5/8ths up the dipstick. This will ensure the oil will not overflow but also so that in case you burn a little oil between changes you won't dip under.

More food for thought...
I have checked my oil cold (and by cold I mean sometimes even as little as 2 hours of not riding) and the oil is 1/2 quart lower than it should be.
If you are ever nervous about starting the bike because you don't see oil on the dipstick shine a flashlight in there and see if any is in the tank. As long as there is some in the tank start it up.. Let it idle for a few minutes and see if it comes up to the dipstick. If so, ride it for 10 minutes or more and add until you get to the lever you want.

Personally I don't worry about how much quart wise is in there so long as it is at the right level...

Well put. I rode and added.....rode and added.....and it's right on the full mark (over a quart less than was in it). I don't know why I didn't check with you guys BEFORE even picking up the service manual!!:-( But all is well now.

Thunder~Struck

· #18 · Aug 25, 2014

igya said:
Well put. I rode and added.....rode and added.....and it's right on the full mark (over a quart less than was in it). I don't know why I didn't check with you guys BEFORE even picking up the service manual!!:-( But all is well now.

The good thing is no damage was done. With it over filled likely the worst you would have had was a lot of blow by and maybe some gasket seepage. At worst a outright gasket failure. In this case the bad o-ring on the oil tank saved you a lot of that.
Under filled......that would have hurt.

XL1200R

· #19 · Aug 25, 2014

igya said:
Well put. I rode and added.....rode and added.....and it's right on the full mark (over a quart less than was in it). I don't know why I didn't check with you guys BEFORE even picking up the service manual!!:-( But all is well now.

No worries... I won't tell ya how many quarts of oil I have siphoned out until I figured all that out!

igya

Discussion Starter · #20 · Aug 25, 2014

XL1200R said:
No worries... I won't tell ya how many quarts of oil I have siphoned out until I figured all that out!

I appreciate that. I feel bad enough (actually stupid) as it is.

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

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