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[RJ749]

So place the same weight Mobile Oil V-twin in the tranny and engine?

You got it if you use the V Twin Mob 1, 20-50 [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

[Midnight Rider]

That's what I'm doing, per the recommendations of my "expert".  Had it in there for 1500 miles (since the 1K service) in this god awful heat, and everything is running fine, shifting fine.  

[justgary]

I had no idea that the syn-3 was so bad.  Its still in my bike.  I have about 2900 miles.  I hope its not too late.   I am changing as soon as I get home.

[RJ749]

I had no idea that the syn-3 was so bad.  Its still in my bike.  I have about 2900 miles.  I hope its not too late.   I am changing as soon as I get home.

Hard to imagine but the more you speak with people who have used it and the guys in the shop it stats to all come together, Syn 3 not worth the risk.

[Michael]

The shelf in the garage is now ful. I'm almost @ 5K. When I hit the 5K mark its time for different lube.

I have:

Mobil 1 VTwin 20-50 for Crankcase
Mobil 1 MX4T10-40 for Primary, I think. Maybe 75-90 instead.
Mobil 1 75-90 & 75-140 for Tranny, not sure if I want to go heavy or light.

I live in FL.

Comments?

[grc]

Talked to my service manager (a friend of mine) this last weekend and was informed that Harley is having major problems with their SYN3 oil.  This problem seems to occur in the hotter areas of the country where the oil drains from parts in the heat after sitting.  Was shown a set of cam bearings that were worn really bad, this was caused by no oil on the bearing during startup.  Was also tolded that I should get SYN3 out of my bike and [highlight]go back to the Harley regular oil[/highlight].  Don't know for sure......just wanted to post this to let others know.  

DW,

The person who told you to go back to the regular Harley oil was not doing you any favors - it will not stand up to the heat of these engines.  Go with a top rated synthetic like Mobil 1 or Amsoil, and put your oil worries behind you.

Jerry

[grc]

The shelf in the garage is now ful. I'm almost @ 5K. When I hit the 5K mark its time for different lube.

I have:

Mobil 1 VTwin 20-50 for Crankcase
[highlight]Mobil 1 MX4T10-40 for Primary, I think. Maybe 75-90 instead[/highlight].
Mobil 1 75-90 & 75-140 for Tranny, not sure if I want to go heavy or light.

I live in FL.

Comments?

Michael,

Stick with the 10-40 for the primary (or simplify and use the same V-Twin that's going in the engine) - that's what Mobil recommends.  BTW - the MX4T 10-40 is a motor oil, the 75-90 is a gear oil.  The viscosity scales are different for motor oils and gear oils, so there really isn't as much difference in viscosity between the two products as one might think.   As for the trans, either of your choices will work well, but in Florida's high temps I would recommend the 75-140 (or the Shockproof Heavy from Redline) for additional high temperature protection.  I like your plan to use specific gear oils rather than just use motor oil in all 3 holes.  In my opinion, motor oil does not belong in a Harley trans, period.

Jerry

[Michael]

Thanks for the input Jerry...

The engine will get the VTwin 20-50, Jerry Approved
The primary will get the MX4T10-40, Jerry Approved
The tranny will get 75-90 or 75-140, Jerry Approved

As for the tranny, I may still go with the 75-90. I'm a fair weather guy. If its stupid hot out, I take one of the Harleys that have AC (HD F150 & HD F250). Thus, the lighter of the two gear lubes will work for me without robbing power, etc.

That way I can use the 75-140 in the differential in my Super Duty. Nothing has to be returned or go to waste.

[Midnight Rider]

The shelf in the garage is now ful. I'm almost @ 5K. When I hit the 5K mark its time for different lube.

I have:

Mobil 1 VTwin 20-50 for Crankcase
Mobil 1 MX4T10-40 for Primary, I think. Maybe 75-90 instead.
Mobil 1 75-90 & 75-140 for Tranny, not sure if I want to go heavy or light.

I live in FL.



This is sure to brew some controversy...The Mobil 1 20W50 is perfect for both your crankcase and primary, and in my opinion, the tranny as well.  Well, this is really not just my opinion, but that of the chemical engineer I mention in the threads on oil.  According to him, most of the "big rigs" you see on the road are running lighter weight syns in their transmissions, not anything like the 70+ weights of the past.  It is simply robbing horsepower through friction.  Pour some of the heavy weight stuff out in a bowl, then some 20W50 and try stirring them with a spoon...you will feel the difference.  The 20w50 will penetrate all surfaces..the shear/shock protection is totally adequate.  Honestly, there is no reason to use heavy oil in the transmission....it won't HURT anything, but it's not necessary.  So, same oil, all holes, in my opinion.

Comments?

[Midnight Rider]

That quote above did not post correctly, but you can tell what I wrote.  Like everyone has said, just get the syn3 out of there, and use the high quality choices mentioned above, regardless of the weights you choose for the tranny.

[Fired00d]

Talked to my service manager (a friend of mine) this last weekend and was informed that Harley is having major problems with their SYN3 oil.  This problem seems to occur in the hotter areas of the country where the oil drains from parts in the heat after sitting.....

Not to argue the point of the oil not being adequate, but I just wonder if the stock oil pump w/it's low idle pressure has any significance to this? [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

[Midnight Rider]

Dood...Mine now runs at about 30 - 35 PSI at highway speeds, and I've not seen it go below the second mark on the gauge since changing to the Mobil 1, despite the 100 degree temps we've been having around here.  Since I really don't have anything to compare those numbers to, is that low number "normal", or better than normal (syn3 being normal).  When I picked up the bike, the dealer told me that pressures should run about 32 at speed, but that I might see it drop close to zero in traffic during hot weather.  I got the syn3 out of the bike at the 1K interval, changed to Mobil in all three holes, K&N oil filter (chrome, of course).  I've just never seen mine drop below that second mark, which I think translates to about 10PSI.

I questioned the dealer about the guage reading zero at idle...that chit bothered me.

[Fired00d]

With stock oil pump they are known to show zero pressure at idle. I switched to Feuling Oil Pump when I did my cam upgrades. Now at idle I'm reading 30+ lbs pressure at idle and it will go up to 55 - 60lbs pressure while cruising. These measurements are with H-D Syn3 (which I will be changing next week).

The low oil pressure of the stock oil pump was a reason I upgraded when I did the cams (since it was no extra charge for installation). That and the added benefit of the higher oil pressure on an air/oil cooled motor had to be better for the longevity of the motor.

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

[Midnight Rider]

Totally agree with your thinking there, Dood, and if I ever do the cams/gear drive on my bike, I will do the pump as well.  Since I'm running the Mobil 1 20W50, I wonder if that is what is keeping my pressure off the zero mark?  Let me know if you notice any difference in pressures when you change over from the syn3 in your higher pressure system.  Just curious, but it might be interesting to make a note of your PSI's before and after.

You are making a smart move dumping the syn3.... [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif] [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

I know you've done your reading on here before making that decision  

[jimp]

Talked to my service manager (a friend of mine) this last weekend and was informed that Harley is having major problems with their SYN3 oil.  This problem seems to occur in the hotter areas of the country where the oil drains from parts in the heat after sitting.  Was shown a set of cam bearings that were worn really bad, this was caused by no oil on the bearing during startup.  Was also tolded that I should get SYN3 out of my bike and go back to the Harley regular oil.  Don't know for sure......just wanted to post this to let others know.  

I don't understand how HDI raised the oil change interval to 5000 miles with SYN3 knowing they have a problem.