My 2005 EGC has about 34,000 miles on it. I changed the oil and filter about a month ago and I've let the old oil filter sitting upside down so that the used oil would drain out of it. Now that it has stopped dripping oil, I suppose that it's time to cut it open as some have suggested, but do you have any suggestion how to go about it?

This old filter is a chrome filter that was installed by the local Harley shop. It appears to be pretty sturdy, but I'm sure that I could butcher it up some way to get to the inside, but I just wondered if there was any recommended way to go about this?

Presumably I'm looking for small bits of the cam chain tensioner pads which, if found, would indicate that I need to change the pads real soon. At least that's the way I understand it.

Anyone have any advice on how to go about this?

Thanks,

Chas

 

more trouble than it worth, haveing 34,000 miles you have chaned the oil many times, it would not be accurate. would take the time and remove the cam chest cover and do a proper inspection of the cam tensioner and replace the necessary parts.

 

Agree wih target64. At 34K miles on a 2005 model you need to check the tensioner shoe wear by inspection. The tensioners in my '05 Deuce were gone at 12K miles. Pull the exhaust, remove the cam chest cover and take a look. As a matter of fact, I would order a set of the CYCO shoes, the o-rings and gasket and plan to change them out.

 

in about 1 hr u will know what u need.

 

By the time you see debris in filter damage is done and you will know it before hand.

But you can cut one with a hacksaw or big pipecutter.

If there is mtl in the pleats of the filter it will not resemble the shaving from the hacksaw and to boot those shavings will not be deep in the pleats where you will find you motor wear mtl.

 

These boys are right. Sometimes the best way AIN'T the easiest way. We're it me, I'd replace the tensioners with the newer style while I was in there.

 

I admit that I don't know much about it. That's why I was asking. But if I recall from some previous posts I've read about this subject, if the tenioner pads are wearing down, there would be tiny pieces of the orange pad material found in the oil filter. This would give an indication that the pads are wearing down.

Again, I don't know if this is true or not, but it's what I've read.

Thanks for the info.

Chas63

 

What you have read is correct. So, you cut open the filter, find some pieces of orange plastic and realize you have to replace the tensioner shoes.

Cut to the chase open the cam chest and inspect. If 50% or more of the shoe material remains intact, i.e., no cracking, splitting, heavy pitting or missing corners, you could be OK for another 37K miles, or not. The problem with the early tensioner shoes is that they could look great at 35K miles and go t!ts up at 37K miles, sometimes without warning. The results can be costly. If you decide to go that route, you will need to re-inspect every 10K miles or so to keep an eye on them.

Do yourself a favor and replace them now with a set of CYCO tensioners. They have been tested and, so far, so good (said the guy as he fell past the 21st floor). A quick and cheap solution to your problem.

http://www.harleydavidsontensioner.com/

 

I've always cut my filter open and checked. Only found a few orange flakes. When my friends tensioners went out on our way to Sturgis, I had them check mine while we were waiting for his to get fixed. At 30,000 miles , mine had very little wear. A testament to Dino oil.

 

You could also save yourself the trouble of cutting oil filters by useing a reusable filter like k&p