Aluminum Flakes in Oil Pan Harley Engine Discuss Aluminum Flakes in Oil Pan in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; Hi Guys, a little freaked here and need some input. Total stock 07 FLHR 96ci 4200mi. Changed oil and filter at 500mi, 1500, 2800, 4200mi. Using Syn3+ and 5 micron ...

[dreamalaska]

Hi Guys, a little freaked here and need some input. Total stock 07 FLHR 96ci 4200mi. Changed oil and filter at 500mi, 1500, 2800, 4200mi. Using Syn3+ and 5 micron filter for all. Last oil change this week for winter set up revealed several aluminum flakes in my drain pan, like if you were looking at gold in a gold pan. I would estimate there was enough to fill up 2 little glass viles used to hold gold flakes. Pretty concerned at the moment. Called the servicing dealer, recommended flushing the pan out with some diesel and cut open filter to see if any more flakes. Flushed diesel thru it and some more aluminum flakes came out. Cut open filter and inspected element but didn't find any aluminum flakes at all, weird. Refilled and ran. No real change in performance or engine noise. Dealer said not much they can do other than wait. Question I have is is there anything obvious the aluminum could be coming from? Concerned about doing 65 and having engine seize. Any suggestions? Thanks ....

[frisco-rigid]

Hi Dream

I had a motor seize once at about 60..
I immediately grabbed the clutch, that released the rear wheel,, and coasted to the road-side,, it is a Natural thing to do,, grab the clutch..

However, it is Very un-common for a motor to seize.. In my case it was the Rod-bearing cages that dis-intergrated..
I'm an abuser, hole-shots, races, blah blah..
Didn't the Beatles "Rubber Soul" album in the 60's have a song titled that---- "I'm an abuser".. Ok Ok......

I also had a new S&S motor that had soo much debris in the oil bag at 4K miles the oil looked like mud and I rode it 500 miles home..

I also had a motor with 3 broken valve springs a chewed up cam, lifter wheels & breather gear, & enough debris in the motor to neccessitate a complete and total rebuild.. But it kept runnin..

My point is this---- they will run & run & run even with horrid probs going on inside..
Sooo, be concerned yes, but don't get tooo over-worked about it..

This is what I would do..
I'd remove the oil bag and clean it out Totally, or do it in the sickle if you can.. Now you know it's ALL gone from the bag..
Then ride it normal and get the oil analyzed in 500 miles then at 1K etc etc..
But remember 4200 is barely past infancy,, there couild still be a wee bit breaking-in going on..
Eyes on..

[clif02]

I think Frisco is dead on here. Your motor is still pretty new. You said its not making any unusual noises. It's costly, but I'd run it another 100-150 miles and do another oil change. Make sure your motor temps are nice and warm(hot) when you do it too. Like Frisco said, I doubt it will lock up on you as these motors will take some abuse. I would guess you're ok but I'd get a few more miles on it and do another oil change just to see if it is OK now. Good Luck...Clif

[dreamalaska]

Thank you for the feedback - I'll update next spring after running it a couple hundred miles and a fresh oil change...I remember an article in AI about the lack of a bearing in the 96ci where a component is running on native aluminum block material. The writer was surprised and verified that that was the case. I can't find that specific article - does anyone remember what part that is?

[shovelmike]

The part that uses a "parent material" bearing, is the cam support plate which supports the outboard ends of the camshafts. I haven't heard of any issues with it yet and in my humble opinion don't predict any if oil is changed on schedule.
The lifters also operate directly in the case material on all Twin Cams as opposed to being in separate and easily replaced lifter blocks, but well maintained engines are exceeding 100,000 miles with no apparent issues.
At any rate, I wish you the best with your bike. Hopefully those were simply the result of the initial bedding in of new parts. Keep us posted. Ride safe and God bless, Sincerely: Shovelmike.

[RobertC]

Have I mentioned lately how vitally important a 5 micron filter is for Twin Cams?

Wanna be really safe?

BTW, changing the filter at aq thousand and topping off would be nice too.

And next oil change, Well, let's just say I'll not run HD oil the way they say to run it. Syn3 is OK, but it's not the panacea for all 3 holes they use it for.

Do what Frisco says, Herguth Labs will sell you a prepaid oil sample kit and I'll be more than glad to look at the results for you.