who's been having to add transmission fluid?
#1871
My dealer has told me there is a fix but it’s in the final test faze...
He also said it was caused by the transmission being higher than the primary which is causing the migration.......
My bike only migrated when I has a pillion and luggage, it also only does it at low rpm, when I travel on the motorways I get no migration, but tootling about I get migration... how does that work , curiously it’s been behaving itself over the last 100 miles which makes me think the issue is with blocked vent, or vent not big enough, but what do I know, il carry on checking until this alleged fix arrives
He also said it was caused by the transmission being higher than the primary which is causing the migration.......
My bike only migrated when I has a pillion and luggage, it also only does it at low rpm, when I travel on the motorways I get no migration, but tootling about I get migration... how does that work , curiously it’s been behaving itself over the last 100 miles which makes me think the issue is with blocked vent, or vent not big enough, but what do I know, il carry on checking until this alleged fix arrives
#1872
Haven’t heard that one before. If that is the case then it’s safe to say not all bikes have the issue. Mine has never shown any migration in 6300 miles and I have never kept the RPM’s up near 3500 for 5 minutes because that is what people seem to think the use case is. Most of my riding is low RPM around town and often with a passenger.
#1873
That's contrary to every situation I've heard so far. Strange...
Last edited by ocezam; 10-08-2017 at 09:52 AM.
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GPHDXLC (10-08-2017)
#1875
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ocezam (10-08-2017)
#1876
You know that would probably depend on whether they consider the condition life threatening and on how expensive the fix is.
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ocezam (10-08-2017)
#1877
They'll fix those that complain while under warranty... all others, and complaints after the warranty runs out, will be on their own...
BS way to handle it, but if I were a betting man, I would put a chunk of change on it .....
#1878
Yeah, if anybody has a good reason to be pissed about the situation I would think it to be you. Looks like they are using your bike as a Guinea pig to see what works. The least they could have done is let you ride it in the process. What I find interesting is that the two people reporting the situation cured, psyshack and smitty901, attest that the cure was replacing the top gasket and yet, Steve Cole believes transmission case pressure has nothing to do with the problem. What this makes me believe is that maybe there is more than one cause that is ending in the same effect. If the gasket is the cause that should happen no matter how you ride the bike because heat would cause pressure and would happen at any rpm and riding conditions. If vacuum is the culprit then higher rpm and maybe engine braking would affect the transfer.
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ocezam (10-08-2017)
#1879
They have always been a pretty good dealer for me and has looked after all my Harley’s. I’ve had some really sh#* service from other dealers in the past but Bowker have always been on the ball.
When I reported the migration they checked the primary and found it had migrated 1/2 ltr over roughly 2000 miles.
They reported the issue to HD tech but got no reply, they escalated it to Milwaukee but after 3 weeks there had been no reply. As a result they took it to the head of HD operations Europe who I understand contacted Milwaukee and got that answer. I am always sceptical re things like this but I know the guys a Bowker and they are not the types who blow smoke up your a#*%.
I know my migration is almost opposite to what others are reporting on this forum. I have been riding solo for the
last 100 + miles and had no migration, I plan a two up trip in the coming week and shall check the fluid carefully.
I’ve also been checking the level hot and cold, cold before a ride, hot immediately after and then cold after the motor is compleatly cold. All checks are done with the bike in the exact same location in the garage and I get the same reading hot or cold.
My dealer has told me he will keep me in the loop, so il give it a few weeks yet.
Ride safe.
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ocezam (10-10-2017)
#1880
October 7 Update:
Was told to ride the bike 500 miles AFTER PREVIOUS SERVICE seal/spacer/gasket/checklist fix. Checked oil at 350ish miles, no oil showing on the stick. Called dealer and was advised to bring it in. Not happy about riding it with low oil in trans so I checked with a ziptie, had about 1/2 inch of oil in bottom of case, not really an accurate way to test as level was below the stick. Was told that the MOCO would schedule a tech to inspect my bike and another as well , my bike is 1 of 2 that THIS dealer has with the same transfer issue.
Arrived at the dealer, thought I was leaving the bike, bike was taken into service. Shortly the bike was brought back outside. Service said they verified the level was low and I could take the bike home and they would call HD. I questioned riding it with very little oil and was told they would top it off. I then questioned the previous instructions from the MOCO, ride it for 500 miles and do not top off. I asked them to call the MOCO for guidance as to if I should ride it low oil or have the dealer top it off. Service went inside to call MOCO.
Service returns, takes bike back in and checks primary level and tops off trans. Service brings bike back out and I was advised that the MOCO has no fix at this time and need to return every 1000 miles for fluid checks and adjustments till further notice. Tech visit no longer scheduled. This info was after service called for guidance......... Gee, so if you take a long trip you need to find a dealer every 1k miles for a service??? Not the answer any of us were looking for and sure does not give me any confidence in the MOCO. Seemed as though the dealer service was as surprised as I was with the MOCO answer........
Like to hear if anyone else gets this answer on your next visit for oil transfer problems..............
Eagle Out
Was told to ride the bike 500 miles AFTER PREVIOUS SERVICE seal/spacer/gasket/checklist fix. Checked oil at 350ish miles, no oil showing on the stick. Called dealer and was advised to bring it in. Not happy about riding it with low oil in trans so I checked with a ziptie, had about 1/2 inch of oil in bottom of case, not really an accurate way to test as level was below the stick. Was told that the MOCO would schedule a tech to inspect my bike and another as well , my bike is 1 of 2 that THIS dealer has with the same transfer issue.
Arrived at the dealer, thought I was leaving the bike, bike was taken into service. Shortly the bike was brought back outside. Service said they verified the level was low and I could take the bike home and they would call HD. I questioned riding it with very little oil and was told they would top it off. I then questioned the previous instructions from the MOCO, ride it for 500 miles and do not top off. I asked them to call the MOCO for guidance as to if I should ride it low oil or have the dealer top it off. Service went inside to call MOCO.
Service returns, takes bike back in and checks primary level and tops off trans. Service brings bike back out and I was advised that the MOCO has no fix at this time and need to return every 1000 miles for fluid checks and adjustments till further notice. Tech visit no longer scheduled. This info was after service called for guidance......... Gee, so if you take a long trip you need to find a dealer every 1k miles for a service??? Not the answer any of us were looking for and sure does not give me any confidence in the MOCO. Seemed as though the dealer service was as surprised as I was with the MOCO answer........
Like to hear if anyone else gets this answer on your next visit for oil transfer problems..............
Eagle Out