Sumping update

Wmitz

200+ Posts
Jun 10, 2018
223
161
Crossville, TN
Name
Warren
I picked the trike up last Sunday, they replaced the pump and put back together. I took the bike back to the shop on Tues, lack of power. They tested the compression @180# front and rear. They also took out 16oz of oil out of the crankcase. So hd shipped them a special part, no markings, no part number, specially machined for the oil pump, inner plate. Picked the bike up today ran a lot better. Compression was retested 250# front and rear with a 2% and 5% leak down f/r. Baffled about that whole scenario with the pump. Going to put through it’s paces over the next few days.
 
Hopefully the prototype part sent is a permanent fix for the sumping.

HD does not do warranty work on engine til the leak down is 10% or more...but that rear cylinder is headed the wrong direction.

I would do some things to cool it down, or if not, then keep an eye on it...when you get double the miles you have now do another leak down test. Once it hits 10%, have them do a new top end for you under warranty.

Cooling Report LINK.

Kevin
 
I guess I am wondering if they did the initial compression test before they drained the crank case or after?

Sumping aint exactly new to HD

But I am seeing more wet heads reporting sumping than the oil cooled heads

There has to be something way wrong with the oil pumps and or crank run out IMO
 
Hopefully this mystery part will take care of the sumping. However I still have my doubts about longevity of this motor. Service manager hinted there were some fixes for some of the reoccurring m8 problems coming with the 19’s. We’ll see in a few weeks, lol.
 
Hopefully this mystery part will take care of the sumping. However I still have my doubts about longevity of this motor. Service manager hinted there were some fixes for some of the reoccurring m8 problems coming with the 19’s. We’ll see in a few weeks, lol.

What problems are you referring to?
 
What problems are you referring to?

I am thinking more Wet Heads are facing this problem, I hear very few problems with the oil cooled heads especially on Freewheelers;)

Some days I wish mine WOULD blow up. I pay 0 dollars with ESP for a new engine. That said it has been a good strong runner even after being rung out on a dyno;)
 
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I am thinking more Wet Heads are facing this problem, I hear very few problems with the oil cooled heads especially on Freewheelers;)

Some days I wish mine WOULD blow up. I pay 0 dollars with ESP for a new engine. That said it has been a good strong runner even after being rung out on a dyno;)

Mine runs strong too Jack & it doesn't burn a drop of oil!:cool:

I think your correct about the wet heads being more problematic.
 
Not sure how large the TG and FW forums are here, and then reduce that to the M8 machines, but there certainly seems to be what I would call a significant amout of issues with the M8. Particularly if you factor in those casual riders that don't even know they have an issue.
 
Not sure how large the TG and FW forums are here, and then reduce that to the M8 machines, but there certainly seems to be what I would call a significant amout of issues with the M8. Particularly if you factor in those casual riders that don't even know they have an issue.

I don't agree. I think that percentage wise, there are very few problem M8 motors. Mine runs great & so does most of them. I've talked to 3 different dealers with a total of about 12 problem motors.
 
Not sure how large the TG and FW forums are here, and then reduce that to the M8 machines, but there certainly seems to be what I would call a significant amout of issues with the M8. Particularly if you factor in those casual riders that don't even know they have an issue.

I don't agree. I think that percentage wise, there are very few problem M8 motors. Mine runs great & so does most of them. I've talked to 3 different dealers with a total of about 12 problem motors.

WE may never know a true number affected

Can you imagine if it was say 5per cent of total manufactured of M8 platform

Then go back to 2014 and add in those numbers of reported sumping and oil migration

OOOOOH boy:p
 
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WE may never know a true number affected

Can you imagine if it was say 5per cent of total manufactured of M8 platform

Then go back to 2014 and add in those numbers of reported sumping and oil migration

OOOOOH boy:p

No matter the costs, if they don’t respond their numbers will continue to decline. They’ve got a pretty good black eye from their failures so far. I know that I am real leary of this current motor in the bike. Even though I wrung out in the mountains today, I still have my doubts. But that’s just me.
 
No matter the costs, if they don’t respond their numbers will continue to decline. They’ve got a pretty good black eye from their failures so far. I know that I am real leary of this current motor in the bike. Even though I wrung out in the mountains today, I still have my doubts. But that’s just me.

How did it run?
 
It ran great actually. 55/65 mph got between 40/42.5 mpg, in the twisties about the same, but on the interstate keeping it between 70/75 it drops into the 32/34 mpg. It’s running as good as it ever has.
 
It ran great actually. 55/65 mph got between 40/42.5 mpg, in the twisties about the same, but on the interstate keeping it between 70/75 it drops into the 32/34 mpg. It’s running as good as it ever has.

Good to hear! Man, that is a big difference in mileage between the Tri-Glide & Freewheeler at highway cruising speeds.

At 70/75 with the cruise control on, I get 39/40 mpg. My only engine mods are an external breather & a K&N replacement filter in the stock air box.
 
...just had a chat with my HD mechanic the other day......He said YES, they are having a problem with the sumping on the M8s......He said they have been told 3-4 times to use different updated oil pumps on any bikes coming the shop with oil sump issues (each updated oil pump states to use NO previously updated pump).............seems mostly what happens is the oil just flows in the lower part of the engine and oil pan area....oil doesn't get to the upper part of the cylinders correctly!

....in fact, he pointed out a bike next to his service bay station and told me he just warranty replaced the engine for this exact problem.....He said this customer was driving along just fine then felt the engine kind of seize and lose power for a few moments....then the motor ran like crap all the way back to the dealer = engine partially seized!!!!!........seems as though HD doesn't actually know whats causing this issue yet! ......Or rather, they don't know how to fix it yet for sure.......they are still updating oil pumps over and over.

......not all M8's are having this problem but an alarming number are!

.............That's what he said...................I'm just passing it on...........I just have an old lowly outdated stinkfish 2016 TG w/a mere 103..........(but at this moment I'm kinda glad!)

....Man, with all these oil related problems I'm hearing about on "MANY" of these M8's so far......I think I'm gonna squeeze a lot more miles out of my 103 before price-plunging into an M8 trike for now!..............but that's just me. :Shrug:

Cheers!
 
My 2013 TRI with a 110 motor and 50k dependable miles is looking MIGHTY good to me. No reason to change with these unknown possible issues.
 
Surprisingly from what I read and see it is more Twin cooled and stage 2-4 models sumping

You would think by now Harley would have a handle on this besides throwing more oil pumps on

The oil cooled models supposedly have a different oil pump, the return ( scavenge side) of the pump is able to return the oil to the pan

I dunno if this is completely true or not, time will tell

What I do know is my Freewheeler and MDO ( Michael) Freewheeler are doing fine Knock on wood;)
 
My 2013 TRI with a 110 motor and 50k dependable miles is looking MIGHTY good to me. No reason to change with these unknown possible issues.
Our ancient 103 is doing just fine for us also. I'm sure HD will figure it out well... someone will. Fred
 

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