Originally Posted By: Bellavita
Thank you for the feedback and clarification on my recirculation comment. I did experience a light film of oil on my air cleaner when I went to inspect and change it after 16,460 miles this past November and that made me conclude I was overfilling. This is what led me to using the cold check and I’d like to share my experience in changing the oil and maintaining the oil level.
I have the owner’s manual and service manual for my 2013 Harley Street Bob with the 96CI Twin Cam. When I change the oil I follow the procedure and measure out exactly 2.5 quarts to fill the tank and charge the oil filter. I start the engine and idle it for 30 seconds to completely circulate the oil and fill the filter then shut it down.
The oil level matches the picture in the owner’s manual perfectly at this point, midway between ADD and FULL HOT. The dipstick has 7 squares and it is right at 3.5 squares. The Service manual states a wet engine has 16 oz. or .5 quart of oil in it so the engine at this point is at the full capacity of 3 quarts of oil. (2.5 new oil + .5 that remains).
I took my bike out this past Friday and Sunday and the outside temp was 40F degrees and rode the bike 30 minutes. I checked my oil after my rides and the oil level was up 1 square. Each square is equal to 4.6 ounces (32/7). If I were to add oil to get up to the FULL HOT line, I would be adding another 11.5 ounces (2.5 squares on the stick) putting the engine into an overfill condition. This is why I’ve switched to maintaining the oil level based on a cold engine with the oil on the stick at halfway to eliminate this. At times, I will check the oil level hot to ensure oil has gone above the cold level.
I went to TheEngineeringToolBox.com to estimate how much three quarts of oil should expand when heated in operation to predict how much the hot oil check should be. When I put in a 160F degree temperature change (40F to 200F) into their calculator, it says 3 quarts of motor oil expands to 3.1872 quarts. This is equal to 6.0 ounces of movement on the stick or 1.3 squares. This appears pretty close to what I see in operation.
I would appreciate feedback on my methods and logic. BTW, it was great being out on the bike after it being covered in the garage since November!
Sorry, but you might be over thinking this. Anywhere between full and add on the cross hatches will be fine, per the manual but I have always ran my engines as close to the 'full hot' marks as possible without over filling. My current 96 doesn't use oil, has no blow by, and has never required a top off in 34,000 miles.
"I have the owner’s manual and service manual for my 2013 Harley Street Bob with the 96CI Twin Cam. When I change the oil I follow the procedure and measure out exactly 2.5 quarts to fill the tank and charge the oil filter. I start the engine and idle it for 30 seconds to completely circulate the oil and fill the filter then shut it down." ^ This is confusing to me as well.