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HD M8 Sumping Problems when Upgraded stage 4 SE Kit installed

  • The_Goat
    The_Goat
    6 years ago
    I hope this is the correct place for this discussion:
    Feb 2017 I upgraded my 2004 Deluxe to a new M8 Road King, very happy with the bike, did a ride to Adelaide and return and it was like sitting in an old caddy, 1000km days without and problems ... at this point I should have learnt my lesson with motor upgrades that I have fucked up in the past .... however after some research I decided to install the new SE M8 stage 4 kit with all the bells and whistles (Supplied and installed by the local dealer)  .... Job done and a good run-in process slowly released what should have been 120hp of even fun.

    So here I am at 5000km on the new motor and its starting to sump (dump oil into the crank) known event, documented by HD and outlined in the Harley Davidson Service Bulliten  M1450 .

    What happens and usually during a long ride, say 400km and as the motor warms up it starts to dump oil into the sump, the HD being a dry sump would normally via the scavenging side of the oil pump return that oil to the general circulation.  However the pump can't keep up and eventually the crank starts running into a wall of oil. My bike feels like its running on a single cylinder and lacks any power.... the only solution I have found to sole this is the get the bike home, rest it until the bike cools right down (overnight) and run it upright for a few minuted to allow the oil to be pumped back into the general oil supply... unusually left to cool overnight.

    So, the local dealer has been great and without knowing the full effect of the service bulletin has inspected the bike and drained the oil from the sump... unfortunately at that time it wasn't dumping and the oil removed was minimal .....so they now say "its not sumping"... well it didn't for them !!!

    So the final solution to this issue is the installation of a new oil pump, its been produced by HD as the 4th upgrade, but until the HD dealer can approve the replacement they need to confirm the sumping issue .... In the USA HD are replacing the motor and any upgrade kits installed at their cost because continued dumping has damaged the motor .... so, my question here is how can I get to someone at HD Australia to vent my concerns ? so if nothing is done now and the sumping continues to occur they will not be just replacing an oil pump but also a motor and a $7000 kit.

    So, is there Anyone out there that has an email contact for HD Australia ?, someone who would listen to my problem and assist with a solution ???... if anyone would like a copy of the Service Bulliten I can email it to you ... drop me a line at,  the_goat@icloud.com

    Goat


  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    6 years ago
    Bad news Goat, this topic has been mentioned many times on the forum. Use the search function to find it, and an intro would be good while your at it .
  • steelo
    steelo
    6 years ago
    I thought pb was quite supportive of your plight. It’s not unusual to introduce yourself before asking for help. This topic is frequently visited. Generally with poorly reported outcomes. Rather than reinvent the wheel you may have gotten your answer from a search. Anyway. I’m also sorry as well about your bike. 
    I can’t believe this issue is not being sufficiently addressed at your local dealer level. Surely you’ve told them the story. Or that they can’t supply a contact at hd for you. Having said that, A site search would also find topics indicating that dealers are abdicating their responsibilities for a whole range of quality issues involving locally sold bikes. Good luck
  • Soapbox2627
    Soapbox2627
    6 years ago
    the goat, he is the new guy, with a little time, he could be a great contributor, maybe not up on the search function.

    he was not caught banging a goat, he is the goat, how about a little time for him to recover, before giving him another one
  • JFE
    JFE
    6 years ago
    Penance time for you Steelo: 5 Hail Mary’s and a can of the cheapest nastiest beer $2.20 will get you. Shook up, of course.
  • 98fxstc
    98fxstc
    6 years ago
    Hilly has you on the right track with the Dealer
    Harley- Davidson Australia are on facebook regularly singing the praises of their new models
    You may wish to put a post up there if they ignore your emails
    No search button or intro required there
    There are some sensitive little petals here who easily get their feathers ruffled if you don't follow required protocols, even on your first visit.

  • Oz Dan
    Oz Dan
    6 years ago
    I hope you get this resolved to your satisfaction goat. I was well aware of this potential issue which is why I stopped at Stage 2. I still got 119ft/lbs @3200rpm so I’m happy. As for the pump, there’s been quite a few new versions released already. Fixes it for some, not for others, so good luck. All the best with it mate, keep us updated if you can.
  • chriso
    chriso
    6 years ago
    So high speed runnings in hot temps on these M8s and you need to stop and let cool for an hour???
    Fuck I hope mickle not gonna be hanging for a beer when this happens ...

    We were told when they came out that these M8s were supposed to solve all the issues of the supposingly hot running twin cams ??

    Fuck this I’m buying an evo, apparently they the best Harley’s 
  • chriso
    chriso
    6 years ago
    22 of April we be heading through around your neck of the woods PB. Most likely around lunch time I think.
    George correct me if I’m wrong mate
  • Oz Dan
    Oz Dan
    6 years ago
    would be good to sort a pub night hey
  • Gnoo
    Gnoo
    6 years ago
    I'll be on the 8:38 train.
  • Gnoo
    Gnoo
    6 years ago

    11 hrs 15min  daylight, 10hr 15 min trip,

    that leaves 1 hr for breakfast, lunch and at least 2 fuel stops,

    have'n Mick with us, add in a coupla interesting pub stops.

    At age pension rates I can't afford a speeding fine, so,

    will have t take the shorter route.

    Plus after being hit be a skippy on the 2016 trip I'm a bit gun shy

    about night ridding.

  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    6 years ago
    Gents there is a really good copper free run through the back of Beerburrum Maleny Conondale Kenilworth up the OBI OBI but its gong to cost you time that you may not have and bring you out on the dreaded Bruce highway. Also depends if your up for a spirited run after 600klm or not
  • markwoumla
    markwoumla
    6 years ago
    Very interesting conversations going on here , regarding Sumping issues on the M8 bikes ...... Must say I'm a bit confused on what train to catch to solve some of the issues .....