Blowback

[smokey]

Can anybody tell me how much oil blowback is normal? I have a 2013 anniversary Harley trike with 8400 miles on
it. I had absolutely no, none, nada, ziltch blowback the first 5,000 miles. None after the 1,000 and 2,500 mile oil
changes. then after the 5,000 mile change it started and is getting worse. Today I took an all day ride around
Lake Champlain and the blowback was just terrible. It plasters the right fender and even gets on the passenger
seat and the passengers leg when I have a rider.

I get a different story from every website, some say it's normal, some don't. The dealer says a little is
normal but won't or couldn't tell me what defines "a little".

 

[Fusionfool]

Be sure they did not over fill the oil. I run mine down below the full mark about one full bar. So long as you have between full and fill, you fined. Too high of oil will get blow by.

 

[rhino 2]

My guess is at the 5 thousand oil change they over filled it... You said it started right after that... Mechanics 101;; Go back to the last thing that was done..

 

[geezerglide11441]

Be sure they did not over fill the oil. I run mine down below the full mark about one full bar. So long as you have between full and fill, you fined. Too high of oil will get blow by.

:Agree: Too much oil in the crankcase!! I run mine at least 1/2 quart low hot and get very little blow-by.

Roger

 

[Gorilla]

Yep I agree with the above. I expect the HD mechanic just drained the oil trhen dumped the 3 qts the manual says to put in. NOT You need to put in only 2 qts to start with then run the engine to fill up the filter etc and then see how much is needed to bring it to full. That amount will vary depending on how much really drained out. I actual run mine about a 1/4 qt low for the very reason that you are speaking of. Good luck I hope that is your issue.

 

[sandrooney]

My manual says 3.5 qts to start not 2.

 

[psychogramps]

This is my opinion. The blow by is constant but it takes a while to soak the AC and drip out. I'll bet if you washed the AC and reinstalled it would be a few thousand miles before it got soaked enough to drip again. I'm on my second TG and consider this normal. I replaced the umbrella valves on each bike. Didn't help. Now I wash the AC at each oil change. Problem solved. I also keep the oil level at the FULLHOT JIFFY STAND level

 

[DK Custom Products]

Common reasons are as stated-

Overfilled oil level
Filter element is saturated and now starting to drip

Here is a link to a thread on the subject I have been meaning to post for awhile.

You may find it useful-

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/22144-Why-is-there-oil-down-the-side-of-my-bike

Kevin

 

[Gorilla]

My manual says 3.5 qts to start not 2.

I didn't say that 2 qts are the final fill. The idea is to get enough oil in the engine to circulate and fill the voids including oil filter. Then look to see how much to add to bring it up to where you want it to be filled to. This is a technique not a suggested fill level. Feel free to fill yours with 3.5 qts if you desire from the start.

 

[Rick Kay]

Many years ago I had this same issue with my Evo Heritage. The "blowback" was especially pronounced after running interstate type speeds for any period of time. My fix was to run the oil level a 1/2 quart lower. I do this on all three motorcycles; never have had an issue from the lower oil level, and "blowback" is a distant memory...

After reading Kevin's thread on common causes, I should mention that I vent into the atmosphere, not into the air cleaner. I just can't see the sense in venting into the air cleaner, EGR, etc.

 

[mcdonaldroadcapt]

Many years ago I had this same issue with my Evo Heritage. The "blowback" was especially pronounced after running interstate type speeds for any period of time. My fix was to run the oil level a 1/2 quart lower. I do this on all three motorcycles; never have had an issue from the lower oil level, and "blowback" is a distant memory...

After reading Kevin's thread on common causes, I should mention that I vent into the atmosphere, not into the air cleaner. I just can't see the sense in venting into the air cleaner, EGR, etc.

Yep, totally agree. 3.5 qts is plenty since all of the oil never drains out at oil changes. It think the recommended 4 qts is for a bone dry engine.

 

[tom w]

we all seem to do our own thing with oil level .I do 3 quarts run it around the block and fill it after that. no right or wrong just as long as there is enough oil in it before you start it. like burger king , have it your way.

this way insures you don't put tooo much in. in any engine too much will cause blow by.........even in a lawn mower .

had a friend with a new heritage took it to the dealer for its 1000 mile check up . next morning came out to find a small puddle next to the bike. of course he freaked out!
found his oil was over full. my feeling was that the filter did not get changed and they put 4 quarts in. changed it and run it for a while . checked the oil and it was in the zone......................

 

[scuba1954]

I have had a stage one air cleaner on my 12 Road Glide and also on my 14 Trike and I have found a unique way to deal with the oil drip. Ask your wife or go to Walmart and buy a maxipad liner that women use monthly and peel the liner off and roll it up with the adhesive toward the inside. Stuff this in gap between the bottom of the air filter and the filter cover. Change it at oil changes and you will never have any drips. I used the thin pads on my road glide but on the 14 because the gap is larger I use the maxi pads. Who would have thought putting your bike on the rag makes it easier to deal with.