Hot Oil

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alleghenyrose

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Mar 26, 2005
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Leonardtown, MD
Rode my 09 Harley Ultraclassic in 95 degree stop/go traffic. Engine started pinging real bad. May have been bad gas or maybe engine just got too hot. Using AMSOIL 20W-50 Motorcycle oil in engine with about 1500 miles on the oil and 8500 miles on the engine.

Should I change the oil after the engine ran so hot?
 
Have a oil temp gauge?

amsoil is good stuff it can take some heat but if you have 1500 on it may want to drop it.
 
The oil should be fine.

But, back to the pinging. Are you using 91 octane or higher gasoline? You sure the pinging wassn't the scoot going into "parade mode" where it shuts off the rear cylinder to reduce heat?
 
I usually use Exxon high test, but was running late so ended up at the WaWa and it has 10% ethenal I believe. Then stopped at a Sunoco and filled up with their high test but with ethenal also.

As I tried to move from stop to parade speeds, it would ping so I feathered the engine so as not to load it too much. This went on for 10 minutes while stuck in traffic. After I got it off the freeway and rolling again, it stopped pinging.

Stopped at an Exxon and put 1.5G of good gas into it and drove home. No problems, but am thinking I may have fried my oil, but don't know how to tell.
 
This is BITOG - we're all obsessive/compulsive oil fanatics here.

When in doubt, change it out!


P.S. - I meant the first statement in a good way.
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Originally Posted By: alleghenyrose
Rode my 09 Harley Ultraclassic in 95 degree stop/go traffic. Engine started pinging real bad. May have been bad gas or maybe engine just got too hot. Using AMSOIL 20W-50 Motorcycle oil in engine with about 1500 miles on the oil and 8500 miles on the engine.

Should I change the oil after the engine ran so hot?


I'd leave it in there. That is supposed to be a 10k or 1 year oil.
 
I use the same oil and I've noticed the same when in the desert (117 degrees) on the way to Vegas in stop and go traffic.

It will be fine, I would run it your normal OCI, that's what I do. 38k on my FLSTC and no problems doing that.
 
Thanks and I believe I am also obsessive, so here is what I plan to do. I bought a pump yesterday from Autozone, and ordered a oil test kit from Blackstone Labs. I plan to ride around town to mix up my oil and then suck some oil out of the crankcase and send into the lab for a analysis. If it shows it ok, I will not drain it. If it says it is toast, I will chuck it. I guess you had to have been there listening to my engine to understand.
 
Originally Posted By: alleghenyrose
Thanks and I believe I am also obsessive, so here is what I plan to do. I bought a pump yesterday from Autozone, and ordered a oil test kit from Blackstone Labs. I plan to ride around town to mix up my oil and then suck some oil out of the crankcase and send into the lab for a analysis. If it shows it ok, I will not drain it. If it says it is toast, I will chuck it. I guess you had to have been there listening to my engine to understand.


Does a pump and oil test kit cost less than an oil change?
 
You may not understand what my concern is. I think I damaged my engine. Nobody has offered me any evidence that I did not so by having my oil checked, I will determine whether my engine is toast or not. I would normally change my oil but by doing this test, I will know whether I should take the bike into the dealer and have them look at it. Today I started it up, and it sounded like the hydraulic lifters were out of oil. About 40 seconds after starting up, they quieted down somewhat, and after driving about 3 minutes down the road, they sounded normal. Since the engine only has 8900 miles on it and is still under warranty, I need to know if I need engine work. Thanks for understanding.
 
Originally Posted By: alleghenyrose
You may not understand what my concern is. I think I damaged my engine...


You didn't say anything about possible engine damage in your original inquiry. You asked if we thought you should drain the old oil or not. It sounded as if you were going to buy a pump and pay for an oil analysis in order to save the old oil rather than replace it.

Good luck with your motor. I don't think it's been damaged from overheating...although your oil may have been. Go ahead and change the oil and filter and do away with that worry.
 
OK already, I changed the oil after only 1300 miles on AMSOIL synthetic along with a new filter. I hope this fixes my problem but I hope the Blackstone Labs test kit arrives soon so I will know the status of my engine.
 
Originally Posted By: alleghenyrose
OK already, I changed the oil after only 1300 miles on AMSOIL synthetic along with a new filter. I hope this fixes my problem but I hope the Blackstone Labs test kit arrives soon so I will know the status of my engine.
Dump the Amsoil and go back to dino, lifters will be quiet again.
 
The pinging in the engine is likely a result of detonation (pre-ignition) of the fuel due to excessive heat in the engine head and cylinder. At low rpms, there would be no damage. Although the fuel didn't like the engine temperatures, the oil should not have been compromised. Particularly synthetic oil which has a higher flash point than conventional oil. Does your bike have a oil cooler?
 
Originally Posted By: alleghenyrose
Porkchoop, what conventional oil do you use in your Harley?
Mostly HD360. I have used Amsoil and I too had valve train and lifter noise.
 
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