HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => Shovel Head => Topic started by: david lee on February 23, 2021, 01:55:40 PM

Title: oil lines
Post by: david lee on February 23, 2021, 01:55:40 PM
i read somewhere on a forum that oil lines should be changed every 5 yrs. i can understand if there cracked but why else. also should the oil be changed when hot and how do you get the old oil out of the crankcase.i remember a guy doing it by draining the oil tank then starting it up with no drain plug until no more oil came out.thanks all
Title: Re: oil lines
Post by: Hossamania on February 23, 2021, 05:00:46 PM
Changing oil when it is warm is better than cold, but the key is to change it, just let it drain longer when cold.
Don't worry about the oil on the crankcase, it will not cause problems, but there are scavenging systems that will remove it if you feel you must.
Can't help with oil lines, never had a problem, my brother's are 25 years old and working fine. Mine are only 20.
Search oil changes on this site, 250 threads, maybe more.
Title: Re: oil lines
Post by: Hossamania on February 23, 2021, 05:02:08 PM
And for the record, I'm not a fan of running a motor with no oil in the pan.
Title: Re: oil lines
Post by: Tynker on February 23, 2021, 05:42:05 PM
Quote from: Hossamania on February 23, 2021, 05:00:46 PM
Changing oil when it is warm is better than cold, but the key is to change it, just let it drain longer when cold.
Don't worry about the oil on the crankcase, it will not cause problems, but there are scavenging systems that will remove it if you feel you must.
Can't help with oil lines, never had a problem, my brother's are 25 years old and working fine. Mine are only 20.
Search oil changes on this site, 250 threads, maybe more.

After you drain the oil, ad 1 qt. of new oil run motor for a few minutes, and drain again. Thei will get most of the old oil out.
Title: Re: oil lines
Post by: kd on February 23, 2021, 06:26:11 PM
Quote from: Tynker on February 23, 2021, 05:45:18 PM
Quote from: Hossamania on February 23, 2021, 05:00:46 PM
Changing oil when it is warm is better than cold, but the key is to change it, just let it drain longer when cold.
Don't worry about the oil on the crankcase, it will not cause problems, but there are scavenging systems that will remove it if you feel you must.
Can't help with oil lines, never had a problem, my brother's are 25 years old and working fine. Mine are only 20.
Search oil changes on this site, 250 threads, maybe more.



I had a buddy show me his oil at 5,000 miles using the scavenger system.  :dgust: I now use it too. It draws out of a liter jug until it runs clear out of the oil pan drain.  At 5,000 miles it is still only tea color and not black.  For a long time you can't see it on the stick it's so clean.  It takes almost 1 qt.  That's +25% of the dirty oil still in the engine, oil lines and cooler. It's worth it to me because I can run it longer. Especially if on a trip.
Title: Re: oil lines
Post by: 76shuvlinoff on February 24, 2021, 03:47:47 PM
Drain the oil. fill the tank back up, disconnect the return line and extend it into your jug or bucket. Start the motor and run a quart or so out keeping an eye on it. It should be coming back pretty clean by then. Kill the motor, reconnect the return line, refill the tank.

As far as the lines... the last time I replaced them was in in 04. I used transmission line ( 3/8"?) from NAPA. It's tough stuff. I haven't really thought about replacing them since.

For a while I ran the oil through my crash bar as a cooler, it added approx 3/4 quart to the system. I was really careful about trying to get it cleaned out before I did that but eventually I removed the crash bar. It definitely worked as a cooler but my 76 doesn't run very hot anyhow.
Title: Re: oil lines
Post by: JW113 on February 24, 2021, 06:15:25 PM
Bingo Mark, transmission cooler hoses. "Regular" neoprene or rubber hose is not rated for high temp. Will it work? Probably yes, but why use something that it is not rated for when it's just as easy to get something that is?

Oil... methinks you guys are way over thinking this. Get motor hot; drain oil; refill. Boom! Done! As long as you're not putting 15,000 miles on the oil between changes, what little oil left in the sump ain't gonna hurt nothing. It's not exactly 'dirty', the oil filter takes care of that.

-JW
Title: Re: oil lines
Post by: david lee on February 24, 2021, 09:27:26 PM
Quote from: JW113 on February 24, 2021, 06:15:25 PM
Bingo Mark, transmission cooler hoses. "Regular" neoprene or rubber hose is not rated for high temp. Will it work? Probably yes, but why use something that it is not rated for when it's just as easy to get something that is?

Oil... methinks you guys are way over thinking this. Get motor hot; drain oil; refill. Boom! Done! As long as you're not putting 15,000 miles on the oil between changes, what little oil left in the sump ain't gonna hurt nothing. It's not exactly 'dirty', the oil filter takes care of that.

-JW
its gotta be 4-5 yrs since ive changed the oil but would not have done 500 klms
Title: Re: oil lines
Post by: PoorUB on February 24, 2021, 09:34:59 PM
I have never understood why the oil that was perfectly good the day before HAS to be removed completely today. If the oil was so bad, why were out for a ride yesterday? :idunno:

I run synthetic and 5,000 mile changes, maybe more.
Title: Re: oil lines
Post by: 76shuvlinoff on February 25, 2021, 02:54:22 AM
Quote from: JW113 on February 24, 2021, 06:15:25 PM
Bingo Mark, transmission cooler hoses. "Regular" neoprene or rubber hose is not rated for high temp. Will it work? Probably yes, but why use something that it is not rated for when it's just as easy to get something that is?

Oil... methinks you guys are way over thinking this. Get motor hot; drain oil; refill. Boom! Done! As long as you're not putting 15,000 miles on the oil between changes, what little oil left in the sump ain't gonna hurt nothing. It's not exactly 'dirty', the oil filter takes care of that.

-JW

As for myself, I quit doing the extra quart oil change more than a few changes ago. I took my factory oil cooler off when I went full synthetic.  The dip stick thermometer might show 205-210F on the very hottest of days, Michigan.
Title: Re: oil lines
Post by: Hossamania on February 25, 2021, 04:54:56 AM
Quote from: david lee on February 24, 2021, 09:27:26 PM
Quote from: JW113 on February 24, 2021, 06:15:25 PM
Bingo Mark, transmission cooler hoses. "Regular" neoprene or rubber hose is not rated for high temp. Will it work? Probably yes, but why use something that it is not rated for when it's just as easy to get something that is?

Oil... methinks you guys are way over thinking this. Get motor hot; drain oil; refill. Boom! Done! As long as you're not putting 15,000 miles on the oil between changes, what little oil left in the sump ain't gonna hurt nothing. It's not exactly 'dirty', the oil filter takes care of that.

-JW
its gotta be 4-5 yrs since ive changed the oil but would not have done 500 klms

It's probably due for a change, a warm engine oil change on that one.
Title: Re: oil lines
Post by: motorhogman on February 25, 2021, 07:12:58 AM
Quote from: david lee on February 24, 2021, 09:27:26 PM
Quote from: JW113 on February 24, 2021, 06:15:25 PM
Bingo Mark, transmission cooler hoses. "Regular" neoprene or rubber hose is not rated for high temp. Will it work? Probably yes, but why use something that it is not rated for when it's just as easy to get something that is?

Oil... methinks you guys are way over thinking this. Get motor hot; drain oil; refill. Boom! Done! As long as you're not putting 15,000 miles on the oil between changes, what little oil left in the sump ain't gonna hurt nothing. It's not exactly 'dirty', the oil filter takes care of that.

-JW
its gotta be 4-5 yrs since ive changed the oil but would not have done 500 klms

4 to 5 years ?  I'd be adding a couple of ounces of sea foam to the oil, running it until completely warm and drain it.  The acid levels are probably through the roof after all that time..
Title: Re: oil lines
Post by: Dan89flstc on April 20, 2021, 03:19:06 PM
Quote from: motorhogman on February 25, 2021, 07:12:58 AM

4 to 5 years ?  I'd be adding a couple of ounces of sea foam to the oil, running it until completely warm and drain it.  The acid levels are probably through the roof after all that time..

The acid forms when the engine runs, not from sitting without running.

Even better than seafoam (which is just light oil and naptha), just give the bike a tankfull of fresh motor oil.