Oil dump from breather assembly : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

okiwetjet · 08-16-2008, 08:49 AM

Would appreciate any inputs on this situation. 2007 TC 96 Heritage Softail with 4800 miles. I had a massive oil dump from the breather assembly. Was sitting at a stop light and my son who was riding behind me told me my bike was smoking (massive smoke from oil dumping on the exhaust). I immediately shut down and then saw oil streaming from the breather assembly. All three quarts in the oil tank were gone.

Looking at the engine diagram, I can speculate that the oil came through the crank case vent passages that vent out through the air filter, which probably means somewhere in the oil lube passages is plugged.

I never got an oil warning light, and based on the amount of oil on the engine, exhaust and immediate ground, I think I was lucky caught this right as it let loose, (no oil trailing behind the bike). Lucky I wasnt' cruising down the highway...

Modded the bike with the following items and the last oil change was at 4300 miles and has run without any problem until this stiuation. So not sure what exactly caused this problem unless something came loose in the motor that plugged the oil flow:

HD oil cooler, 300 miles
Power Commander 3 ECM, 2400 miles
Super Trapp Pipes, 2700 miles

It's going in the shop next week under warranty assessent check.

If anyone has seen this situation, would appreciate any information.

Thanks

jerry34208 · 08-16-2008, 09:36 AM

Brew a fresh pot and read a few of these threads...

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/se...archid=1810179

or these...

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/se...archid=1810191

Sorry to hear it happen to you.

zzmellio · 08-17-2008, 12:20 AM

I bet your oil pump took a dump due to crank shaft run out. Bet you get a new motor out of the deal.

okiwetjet · 08-17-2008, 01:06 AM

Thanks for the inputs. The crakshaft runout may be the issue.

About 4 months ago, I had the bike parked on a slight grade and cranked the engine while it was on the kick stand. There was a distinct knock (loud and pronounced) from inside the engine so I shut it down. Had a couple of friends standing by the bike and we all had the WTF-was-that-noise look. We thought maybe that oil has drained from the right side of the motor and the knock was similar to a valve knock on start up until oil pumps to the head.

Took it by the mech that same day and couldn't get the noise to duplicate (only had the bike on the kickstand and did not lean it that couple extra degrees like on the grade like before), but it does make a slight thump on start up (mech said is could just be the pirmary case tensoner engaging).

Thinking back, this was probably an indication of crank runout (like the rod was hitting the flywheel or the flywheel making contact with something) and with the bike parked on the angle, this made the situation more pronounced that one time.

Will know more after the dealer review next couple of weeks, but thinking that a basically stock motor should not have had this issue.

Again, thanks for the info and pointers!

pittguy · 08-18-2008, 08:47 PM

Whats your bikes build date on frame neck? I agree it sounds like an oil pump but dont expect a new engine with HDs new runout specs. Low mileage bike and have this happen is uncalled for.Dont forget to visit and post on the NHTSA site.

okiwetjet · 08-21-2008, 09:05 AM

Vin indicates Regular intro date (1), 2007, assembeled in York, PA

villageiron · 08-21-2008, 10:16 AM

had same problem - after tear down found gerotor demolished on scavenger side of oil pump. replace ran good for 4k then had new pump go south again. still cant fine out why? i think that the crank is out of round like someone said any more on this -like to hear
mechanic

arealinvestor · 08-21-2008, 11:31 AM

Keep us posted on what the dealer says it is?????????????

JDC916 · 09-22-2008, 01:12 PM

After seeing 2 buddies that have the same bike as i do this weekend, 08 Ultras ( 1 reg, 1 SE ), they asked me if I had a build up of oil on top of the crankcase. I said I hadnt noticed it but unfortunately when I checked after getting home that eveniong cause I was out on my 03 Dyna that day, sure enough I had the tell tale signs of oil escaping through the breather. My Ultra has just turned 6K miles and I never noticed it before. One of the guys said the service manager said this was normal ! BS !!! It hasnt happened before and now they are going to say it's normal !?

JDC916 · 09-22-2008, 01:13 PM

Hey Jerry34208 cant get to those posts that you refered to...

Brew a fresh pot and read a few of these threads...

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/se...archid=1810179

or these...

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/se...archid=1810191