09 Primary Capacity - is manual accurate?

Neilwillo · Oct 29th, 2009, 06:57 AM

Hi all,
I'm just changing my primary oil in my 09 FLHT tourer. I've come across an unusual bit of info in the owners manual that makes me wonder.

My old 03 FLHT was 32 ounces to fill (1 quart bottle) When i did this it came to the bottom of the clutch pack.

My new 09 specifies 38 ounces to fill. I just put 32 ounces into it and again it came to the bottom of the clutch pack. The same as my 03.

Something doesn't add up to me.

Or is Harley putting more oil into the Primary trying to get it to run cooler? Should I put the extra amount of oil into the primary regardless and see how it goes or leave it at the 32 ounce level, the same as the 03

Your wisdom is much appreciated.
Thanks

Neil

Bud White · Oct 29th, 2009, 07:26 AM

my 08 hold 32 also though manual says 38 i dont want to over fill it so i fill it to where they say to on clutch pack and call it good and its usually 32

glider · Oct 29th, 2009, 07:58 AM

Mine called for 38 oz also and I used the 38 oz without a problem.

Jayson459 · Oct 29th, 2009, 10:23 AM

32 oz Worked for me on the 08 FLHT.. Will assume maybe there were 6 oz left that couldn't drain..

glider · Oct 29th, 2009, 10:36 AM

JMO but if they recommend the 38 oz, they are doing it for a reason. Lowering the level/amount may work but the increase from prior years was done for more than selling more primary oil. Possibly it could have something to do with the self adjuster???

The primary will probably work with 10 ounces in there but the engineers that design these units know a bit more than we do.
Why not put 2 quarts of oil in the engine instead of the recommended levels?

mstngjoe · Oct 29th, 2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glider

.... Possibly it could have something to do with the self adjuster???

Forgive my lack of knowledge on this....but is the "self-adjuster" a feature that came out after the 2007 model year?

My factory shop manual and owners manual both indicate 32oz. for the primary (2007 FXSTC).

glider · Oct 29th, 2009, 11:17 AM

The self adjuster was on the 96 engines starting in the 07 model year.

sharpscuba · Oct 29th, 2009, 02:41 PM

I agree with Glider. They call for 38oz and on my O7classic it takes it all. Are you adding the fluid with the Jiffy stand down? The manual calls for the bike to be upright.

Neilwillo · Oct 29th, 2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharpscuba

I agree with Glider. They call for 38oz and on my O7classic it takes it all. Are you adding the fluid with the Jiffy stand down? The manual calls for the bike to be upright.

Hi, I'm doing it on my bike lift and the bike is level. Thanks for the replies. Again, it has been very helpful.

I will put the extra amount in it as suggested and see what happens. What it does tell me though is that even though HD primary cases (Inner and outer) look the same there is a slight difference between models. Constant refinement I guess.

Cheers

Neil

glens · Oct 29th, 2009, 07:29 PM

The bike itself is level? Don't a lot of lifts tend to make the bike lean to one side a bit?

Oct 29th, 2009, 06:57 AM	#1
Neilwillo Warming The Wheels Ride: 2009 FLHT Join Date: Aug 11th, 2009 Posts: 81 My Mood:	09 Primary Capacity - is manual accurate? Hi all, I'm just changing my primary oil in my 09 FLHT tourer. I've come across an unusual bit of info in the owners manual that makes me wonder. My old 03 FLHT was 32 ounces to fill (1 quart bottle) When i did this it came to the bottom of the clutch pack. My new 09 specifies 38 ounces to fill. I just put 32 ounces into it and again it came to the bottom of the clutch pack. The same as my 03. Something doesn't add up to me. Or is Harley putting more oil into the Primary trying to get it to run cooler? Should I put the extra amount of oil into the primary regardless and see how it goes or leave it at the 32 ounce level, the same as the 03 Your wisdom is much appreciated. Thanks Neil

Oct 29th, 2009, 07:26 AM	#2
Bud White Moderators Ride: 2008 Road King Classic. Join Date: Jun 8th, 2008 Location: Wayne , MI Posts: 2,972 My Mood:	Re: 09 Primary Capacity - is manual accurate? my 08 hold 32 also though manual says 38 i dont want to over fill it so i fill it to where they say to on clutch pack and call it good and its usually 32 __________________ "Tell me where I'm going, let my bones fall in the Dust, can't you hear that Ghost thats Calling as my Colt begins to Rust, in the Dust"

Oct 29th, 2009, 07:58 AM	#3
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,017 My Mood:	Re: 09 Primary Capacity - is manual accurate? Mine called for 38 oz also and I used the 38 oz without a problem. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Oct 29th, 2009, 10:23 AM	#4
Jayson459 Contributor$ Ride: 2009 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Join Date: Oct 13th, 2008 Location: Lake City, FL Posts: 367 My Mood:	Re: 09 Primary Capacity - is manual accurate? 32 oz Worked for me on the 08 FLHT.. Will assume maybe there were 6 oz left that couldn't drain.. __________________ 2009 Ultra, Bone Stock (for now).. .. 2001 Sportster XL 883>1200 Stage 1..

Oct 29th, 2009, 10:36 AM	#5
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,017 My Mood:	Re: 09 Primary Capacity - is manual accurate? JMO but if they recommend the 38 oz, they are doing it for a reason. Lowering the level/amount may work but the increase from prior years was done for more than selling more primary oil. Possibly it could have something to do with the self adjuster??? The primary will probably work with 10 ounces in there but the engineers that design these units know a bit more than we do. Why not put 2 quarts of oil in the engine instead of the recommended levels? __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Oct 29th, 2009, 11:17 AM	#7
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,017 My Mood:	Re: 09 Primary Capacity - is manual accurate? The self adjuster was on the 96 engines starting in the 07 model year. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Oct 29th, 2009, 02:41 PM	#8
sharpscuba Community Star Ride: 2007flhtc Join Date: Jul 4th, 2008 Location: Belgium Wi. Posts: 560 My Mood:	Re: 09 Primary Capacity - is manual accurate? I agree with Glider. They call for 38oz and on my O7classic it takes it all. Are you adding the fluid with the Jiffy stand down? The manual calls for the bike to be upright.

Oct 29th, 2009, 07:29 PM	#10
glens Banned Ride: 09FLHTCU Join Date: Oct 6th, 2009 Posts: 97	Re: 09 Primary Capacity - is manual accurate? The bike itself is level? Don't a lot of lifts tend to make the bike lean to one side a bit?

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09 Primary Capacity - is manual accurate?

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