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[hayman7712]

My 07 SERK just went through 2 qts. of oil in 2,000 miles.  The Asst. service manager told me, according to the MOCO's Tech website that a quart of oil every 1,500 miles is not uncommon.   WTF is that all about.  I'm not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, but a qt. every 1,500 miles, come on.  Mine used 2 qts. after the MOCO gasket recall.  After a quick check the dude tells me there may be a couple of minor leaks.    Really?  Minor leaks.  I didn't see anything leaking.  Sits on the same spot in the garage every f$%&*g day.  I called the MOCO and asked to talk to a tech and they told me the tech would talk with the dealer.  I bet he will.  Has anyone else herd this BS?  Thanks, Dean.

[porthole]

When I worked at an auto dealer we were told 1 quart in 500 miles was acceptable.

Now, 1 quart in 500 was usually problem that we could find-repair. But on the rare occasion that it was not found that was the standard we used.

[tennisman]

Sure, a quart in 500 miles, but that's in a car engine, 2-3 times larger than our bike motors!

[Talon]

Have the service manager put that in writing! Then contact HD customer service, that's BS!

To speak with a Harley-Davidson customer service representative call (414) 343-4056.

[grc]

Have the service manager put that in writing! Then contact HD customer service, that's BS!

To speak with a Harley-Davidson customer service representative call (414) 343-4056.

And if the customer disservice rep gives you a crock of crap, the next call needs to be to a lawyer. 

Question:  Did the engine use excessive amounts of oil prior to the "enhancement"?  If it didn't but it started immediately after the work was done I believe you could make a case that something wasn't put back together quite right.  If the dealership created the problem, it doesn't matter what BS standard H-D posts, the dealer owes you another repair.

Your post indicates your consumption is 1 quart per 1000 miles, and the standard your dealership quoted to you is 1 quart per 1500 miles.  Assuming you accurately measured your consumption, it is worse than the standard they told you and I don't understand why they haven't arranged to fix the problem.  Of course, I imagine they will require a controlled consumption test to verify your claim.  Basically that goes something like this:
-Dealership changes oil and filter, marks oil level on dipstick, seals drain plug and dipstick.
-Owner rides motorcycle and stops at the dealership at predetermined mileage intervals to have them check the oil level and add oil as needed, documenting exact amounts of oil added on the repair order each time.
-At a specified total mileage, the owner returns the bike to the dealer and they add oil to bring the level up to the mark they made on the dipstick.
-The total test miles are then divided by the measured amount of oil they added over the duration of the test to determine the consumption rate. 

If the rate exceeds the "acceptable consumption" standard, repair is authorized.  If the rate is better than the standard, you will be told your engine is "normal".  It will be BS, but it will be documented BS.

Jerry

[Trapperdog]

I've mentioned this several times here in regards to the same issue. My '05 had the same problem, the dealer told me the same thing and told me to call customer service if I had a problem with it. I politely asked them to get their service rep on the phone, which he did. He also gave me the standard "that's normal". I then asked him if he thought a judge would come to the same conclusion. Two days later my bike had a new rings and valve guides. I was polite the whole time but held my ground, maybe I was just lucky. I sold the bike 10K later but never had any more oil consumption problems.

[JDOFLHRIDER]

I have heard that before ,heck I even heard a dealer did a enhancement where they honed cly and reused old rings with new heads on a bike the used oil like yours prior to the enhancement.My dealer found that the clys were out of round and undersized from moco.I don't think that any of their motors they have had clys off have been reinstalled without being bored.I'll bet few dealers even have torqe plates to check clys.Ride Safe JDO

[HILLSIDECYCLE.COM]

If a Shovel or Iron XL, was blowing though a qt in 500-1500 miles, I would reccomend a tear down to establish the root of the problem and correct it.
Say nothing about a modern engine.

[jug-head]

Exceptable oil consumption depends on a lot things. Milage, how hard you ride it ect. But 1,000 miles to the quart dosn't sound good unless the engine is still being broke in. My 2002 88 gets about 2,500 miles to the quart. It will burn more at WTFO.

[DavidG]

Standard at most car dealers service centers is 1pt/1000 in a modern engine. 1qt /1500 miles in a two cylinder engine seems like way too much. Any fouling on the plugs ?

[HILLSIDECYCLE.COM]

That type of oil consumption is TOTALLY unacceptable.
My daughters 1997 Ford Escort has 341,000 plus on the clock and DOES NOT comsume oil, between changes.
If your dealer/Moco is telling you different, I would believe it would be an attempt to avoid repairs on their dime.
We do not experience that here, (nor would our clients expect/tolerate)with our hand-built engines. Acceptable for OEM Harley. NO.

[spydglide]

If I try to keep the oil level up to 'full' mark, it will use oil at that rate.....many have found the same thing to be true with their motors.....it appears that some of these motors just are not happy unless the blow out the oil to a certain level and then they don't use it beyond that level.  Might try letting it run will a tad less on the dipstick.  I don't like it, but have had to adapt.   spyder

[jug-head]

I've heard that not filling the oil tank all the way to full will help, but I just can't see it in a dry sump engine like a Harley. Having said that I know many Grey Beards that say its true.

[DCFIREMANN]

Well I will bet when they did the gasket recall they REMOVED the pistons from the cylinders and did not replace the rings or did not rough the cylinders before reassembly. Now you are passing oil through the rings. Second case scenerio is you are leaking through the valve seals. If there is no oil on the ground then the motor is using it. Pull your plugs and check them.

It is a shame the BAS$%^D CHILD of the Motor Company had to be a CVO! I am so glad I have a 103.

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[sadunbar]

Well I will bet when they did the gasket recall they REMOVED the pistons from the cylinders and did not replace the rings or did not rough the cylinders before reassembly. Now you are passing oil through the rings. Second case scenerio is you are leaking through the valve seals. If there is no oil on the ground then the motor is using it. Pull your plugs and check them.

It is a shame the BAS$%^D CHILD of the Motor Company had to be a CVO! I am so glad I have a 103.

Be Safe

THE DAWG

I'll bet the DAWG is right...  A leakdown test would help you figure it out...