Hot Oil smell?

hardwickbv

1500+ Posts
Gold Member
Mar 5, 2017
1,903
654
Mitchell, IN
Name
Bob
We went for a 350 mile ride yesterday and stopped to put jackets on about 40 minutes from home.

While stopped I thought I smelled hot oil but continued home and when we got there I smelled it again.

Temps were 77-89 throughout the trip mostly 2 lane 50-60 mph 2 up, some highway with 75 -80 mph early on.

Pushed it pretty hard a couple times passing slow vehicles on the two lanes.

I looked all over the engine with a bright light but could not find the source also no smoke.

2017 Tri-Glide with 4450 miles.

Any ideas.

Thanks

Bob
 
Two ideas , And i had both of them happen on my 11Tri--

First blow-by check your air cleaner... Second rocker box gaskets [valve covers]Weeping just a little...:Shrug:
 
Pulled the air cleaner and found a film of oil in the carburetor.

I guess I will be looking into one of DKs external breather systems in the future.

Thanks for the responses.

Bob
Running in the heat and a little faster oil soaks into the air cleaner and check and see how much it has soaked in. May consider new air cleaner I don't know if OEM's can be washed out. good luck keep us posted. rid safely Fred
 
We went for a 350 mile ride yesterday and stopped to put jackets on about 40 minutes from home.

While stopped I thought I smelled hot oil but continued home and when we got there I smelled it again.

Temps were 77-89 throughout the trip mostly 2 lane 50-60 mph 2 up, some highway with 75 -80 mph early on.

Pushed it pretty hard a couple times passing slow vehicles on the two lanes.

I looked all over the engine with a bright light but could not find the source also no smoke.

2017 Tri-Glide with 4450 miles.

Any ideas.

Thanks

Bob

If this was the hottest/longest ride you've taken so far, it is likely you are smelling the results of the blow-by. Hotter the engine gets, more blow-by.

Did it feel at all sluggish, in comparison to previous rides?

Take a look at the Report Link below on how and why to Cool down your engine.

Kevin
 
Thanks for your reply Kevin.

I have read your report and done or installed the following

Removed the left side thigh protector

2" tank lift with the deluxe option

Cooling deflector wings.

Had the HD dealer install a Screaming Eagle Stage 1 AC and Exhaust upgrade with tune.

Love Jugs Coolmasters

This weekend since I will be hitting the 5000 mark I will be installing your oil cooler and filter relocation kit.

and will be looking at an External Breather system this fall or next spring.

Would do it sooner but funds are getting low with a couple trips coming up.

Debating on whether to keep the AC I have or going with a 606 AC from you and using the stock cover.

Would I need to change the tune for that? I expect it would need a little tweak at least.

Bob
 
Thanks for your reply Kevin.

I have read your report and done or installed the following

Removed the left side thigh protector

2" tank lift with the deluxe option

Cooling deflector wings.

Had the HD dealer install a Screaming Eagle Stage 1 AC and Exhaust upgrade with tune.

Love Jugs Coolmasters

This weekend since I will be hitting the 5000 mark I will be installing your oil cooler and filter relocation kit.

and will be looking at an External Breather system this fall or next spring.

Would do it sooner but funds are getting low with a couple trips coming up.

Debating on whether to keep the AC I have or going with a 606 AC from you and using the stock cover.

Would I need to change the tune for that? I expect it would need a little tweak at least.

Bob

Bob, Looks like you have taken a good path on keeping the heat down.

The smell may be just the oil getting old/broken down and spitting more than when it is newer.

You can add an External Breather System to your existing Air Cleaner, and it will function much the same as the 606 that comes with an EBS. In either case a re-tune is Not necessary.

It would not hurt to tune it, with the EBS you are getting more oxygen into the intake...but unless you are going for absolute most power possible, the ECM will adjust well for that change without a re-tune being needed.

Kevin
 
Thanks for your reply Kevin.

I have read your report and done or installed the following

Removed the left side thigh protector

2" tank lift with the deluxe option

Cooling deflector wings.

Had the HD dealer install a Screaming Eagle Stage 1 AC and Exhaust upgrade with tune.

Love Jugs Coolmasters

This weekend since I will be hitting the 5000 mark I will be installing your oil cooler and filter relocation kit.

and will be looking at an External Breather system this fall or next spring.

Would do it sooner but funds are getting low with a couple trips coming up.

Debating on whether to keep the AC I have or going with a 606 AC from you and using the stock cover.

Would I need to change the tune for that? I expect it would need a little tweak at least.

Bob

Bob,

From what I've read the dealership tunes keep the lean AFR. If you don't get a tuner to richen the mixture, I would suggest something like the Nightrider FL-X(or V, adjustable)iED-10. This is a simple plug and play solution for about $100 that will richen the AFR. They get great reviews.

As a side note on using the stock AC cover with the 606, I tried that with mine but didn't like the appearance. The OEM air box housing helps support the OEM cover in that the cover fits into the housing lip which securely holds the cover and totally encloses the air cleaner. The 606 doesn't use the back housing and the cover is secured only by the attaching cover bolt. The 606 air cleaner is also 2 to 3 times deeper than the stock air cleaner. And to use the OEM cover you must also use the OEM cover mount. All of this causes the OEM cover to extend out from the air cleaner, and against your leg. There is a solid inch of air cleaner visible that the OEM cover doesn't cover. I ordered a cover from DKC and all looks really great now.
 
Ordered an EBS

Thanks guys!!!

Broke down, called and ordered an External Breather System with Catch Can from DK.

It should be here before I am ready to install the filter relocation and oil cooler so I should be able to do it all in one swipe.

That should complete all the mods a couple weeks before going to Tennessee for family vacation a ride a couple days.

All the mods should make for a much cooler trip.

Thanks again

Bob
 

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