Softail oil change
#1
06-13-2008, 08:11 AM
Softail oil change
Has anyone ever drained their oil through the cases? I have a 2003 Fatboy that has been sitting for a while and all the oil has drained to the cases. Rather than starting it to push the oil back into the tank and risk wet sumping it I thought I would drain it through the pipe plug at the bottom of the cases. A friend says this is the way to go but I have read where others say never to remove that plug. Any help would be appreciated.
#2
06-13-2008, 08:33 AM
RE: Softail oil change
That is BS do NOT remove the case plugs. You can try using a fluid extractor if you are worried about it. Some guys will squirt some marvel mystery oil into the spark plug holes to avoid a dry start. Others will remove the plug wires and crank the engine a few times to pre oil the engine a bit. Just don't crank the starter too long or you will risk overheating it. Multiple short bursts will do. I would do the MM oil in the cylinders and crank it multiple times to get some oil flow going.
#3
06-13-2008, 12:20 PM
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RE: Softail oil change
ORIGINAL: KBFXDLI
That is BS do NOT remove the case plugs. You can try using a fluid extractor if you are worried about it. Some guys will squirt some marvel mystery oil into the spark plug holes to avoid a dry start. Others will remove the plug wires and crank the engine a few times to pre oil the engine a bit. Just don't crank the starter too long or you will risk overheating it. Multiple short bursts will do. I would do the MM oil in the cylinders and crank it multiple times to get some oil flow going.
That is BS do NOT remove the case plugs. You can try using a fluid extractor if you are worried about it. Some guys will squirt some marvel mystery oil into the spark plug holes to avoid a dry start. Others will remove the plug wires and crank the engine a few times to pre oil the engine a bit. Just don't crank the starter too long or you will risk overheating it. Multiple short bursts will do. I would do the MM oil in the cylinders and crank it multiple times to get some oil flow going.
KBF,
 \\;
I have heard many times not to remove the case plugs. Why is this?
Self destruct? It looks to just be a threaded plug.
MikeM
 \\;
 \\;
#4
06-13-2008, 02:58 PM
RE: Softail oil change
Will not hurt anything to remove the case plug, and of course replace it properly. \\; It's just that some people confuse the case plug with an oil drain plug, leading to problems as you might suspect.
#5
06-13-2008, 03:02 PM
Elite HDF Member
RE: Softail oil change
Sorry, I have to disagree. Do NOT remove plug from engine case. Many have tried and broken their cases. I am sure some have succeeded, but why take the chance.
#6
06-13-2008, 03:31 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
RE: Softail oil change
There's no reason to take it out, and it's got red loctite on it to discourage taking it out...I've done it once in the past, know a few others who have by mistake...I've heard all the horror stories about cracking the cases, but can't say I know of it actually happening...if someone asks me, after the fact, I tell em just put the thing back in and don't do it again...[8D]
#7
06-13-2008, 04:55 PM
RE: Softail oil change
Thanks for the responses. I read my service manuel over and over but couldn't find anything about that plug. I guess they really don't want you to mess with it!
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