Topic: This is ugly (Read 2695 times)

lilcoot · « **on:** May 16, 2012, 01:19:47 AM »

The other day I did the 10,000 mile fluid changes and found something interesting.

And disturbing.

First, I have to admit that I gave in to the dark side (advertising) and spent money on three Dimple Magnetic Plugs and a K & P stainless steel oil filter with a pre-filter magnet. Money aside, it appears all those magnets at least help illustrate problems in the different engine compartments.

These first pictures are from the transmission. Used Redline tranny oil with Shock proof. Looks pristine.

lilcoot · « **Reply #1 on:** May 16, 2012, 01:26:50 AM »

Another transmission plug pic.

lilcoot · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2012, 01:47:33 AM »

Now here's a couple pics from the crank case. I wiped off the oil plug before I thought to take a picture, so I'm showing the magnet on the oil filter. The plug magnet is stronger, so there was more debris on that plug than on the oil filter pictured. I use Amsoil 20-50.

lilcoot · « **Reply #3 on:** May 16, 2012, 01:49:55 AM »

Crank case oil #2

lilcoot · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2012, 02:09:06 AM »

Now, this is the plug for the primary. I use Redline Primary oil. It looked like one of those "put the beard on the hobo with iron filings" toys we played with when we were little.

A couple weeks earlier, Jim at Metal Dragon told me the compensator was worn prematurely, but the dealership I subsequently took it to said there was only normal wear. Does this look normal?

lilcoot · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2012, 02:11:33 AM »

Primary oil plug #2

lilcoot · « **Reply #6 on:** May 16, 2012, 02:40:21 AM »

The primary obviously has problems. No question. I'll be going to a different dealer and demand the compensator be replaced.

My question is this: How much metal/debris is acceptable in the crank case oil? Personally, I think all three plugs should look like the transmission plug. The oil will be darker, but few/no metal shavings on the magnet. Am I wrong?

Has anyone else had similar experiences?

Dan

98fxstc · « **Reply #7 on:** May 16, 2012, 02:42:03 AM »

And you're only picking up the ferrous material.
There's probably a bit of aluminium debris circulating in there as well !!

lilcoot · « **Reply #8 on:** May 16, 2012, 02:57:51 AM »

Exactly, 98fxstc. I've been told by several guys that my motor is very noisy, and has piston slap. Unfortunately, I mixed all the used oils in the same receptacle, and discarded it before checking for aluminum "sparkles".

2006ULTRA · « **Reply #9 on:** May 16, 2012, 09:04:54 AM »

How long has it been since you changed the primary oil?

bigdave110 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 16, 2012, 10:02:17 AM »

These look like my plugs looked the fluid change right before my rod bearings went out.
I thought I had a compensator problem also.

I am not trying to make you worry, I truly doubt you are having the same problem I did.
Just that my plugs looked the same.

Best of luck to you.

Big Dave

VANAMAL · « **Reply #11 on:** May 16, 2012, 10:40:45 AM »

The primary plug being like that wouldnt worry me to much for the first change or two. Theres a lot of metal going around in the primary. I would worry though if it were the engine or tranny! Although mine was pretty clean when i changed it on the sesg. The 05 had wear on the ring gear so the metal would wind up on magnet. But then you know the rest of the story!

SneakyPete · « **Reply #12 on:** May 16, 2012, 11:19:47 AM »

I have used the exact same oil filter on my bike for the last five years and each time I change my oil (4-5K miles), I see about the same as you have. I've also had my engine apart during that period of time (nothing oil related) and there was no evidence whatsoever of abnormal wear, as a matter of fact, looked damn good. I'd be more concerned if I saw pieces of metal on the pan plug rather than minute particles. JMHO.

You might have something going on in the primary. I would drain fluid, remove outer cover, flush thoroughly with brake clean and check with light and mirror to see if anything obvious. Refill with fresh fluid and check periodically. I'm assuming you don't hear any funky noises coming from the primary that may indicate something else going on.

110tHunDer · « **Reply #13 on:** May 16, 2012, 11:31:05 AM »

You might want to take a look here: http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=64656.msg1018213#msg1018213

Definitely don't ignore the signs that something looks wrong. I noticed some color in the fluid whenever I drained it but never saw that much build-up on my drain plug and look what happened! Don't stop at the compensator when looking around in there ...

lilcoot · « **Reply #14 on:** May 16, 2012, 12:51:01 PM »

How long has it been since you changed the primary oil?

This was actually the third time I changed the primary oil. First at 1000 miles (yes, overkill), 5000 miles and 10,000 miles.

2006ULTRA · « **Reply #15 on:** May 16, 2012, 05:11:56 PM »

I change mine every 5000 too. I'd say you have some excess material there. I'd check it out by removing the primary cover.

Is your clutch working fine and the bike shifting good? Do you ride two up a lot or pull a trailer? It looks like clutch particles to me but just a lot more than I would expect.

RayG · « **Reply #16 on:** May 16, 2012, 05:56:13 PM »

You might consider doing a search for a post I put on some time back. I believe it was "Look at the amount of metal on my drain plug" the photo showed the metal to be more like chunks rather than finely ground up metal like yours. I took the photo to 3 dealerships and they all said it was normal. I change my oil myself and have never seen that much metal before but they all assured me it was normal and they would not take it any futher. I could have pushed it but why have the same people who think it was normal do the repair. I ended up taking it apart my self and found stripped needle bearing on the clutch hub. I would agree with Jim without any hesitation.

Everything is normal to them. We make fun of it here often but it is because they continue to call some serious issues normal.

Hope you find your problem.

CVOJIMMYC · « **Reply #17 on:** May 16, 2012, 05:59:49 PM »

What bike are these from? Recall situation etc.etc.

lilcoot · « **Reply #18 on:** May 16, 2012, 07:22:31 PM »

What bike are these from? Recall situation etc.etc.

2012 CVO SG. No recalls I'm aware of.

RayG · « **Reply #19 on:** May 16, 2012, 08:34:42 PM »

This is the old post I was refering to;

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=53289.0

Author Topic: This is ugly (Read 2695 times)