Too much oil?

[Big E]

Just did my 1st oil change on my Valkrie and drained over 5 quarts from motor.  Now I had checked my oil levels before and they always checked at the upper mark on the stick but never over.  I installed my new filter and filled 3.9 quarts of oil into crankcase as per manual.  Now when I check the oil level, it reads just below the upper mark, almost the same as before. 
Can't help but wonder where the other quart of oil came from.  I checked oil level properly as per manual.  Also hoping no damage done. The bike had gone over 1 1/2 years and 3500 miles between changes. I know this is too long time-wise, will change oil before putting up for winter from now on. 
Any thoughts?   I am still a little green to Valkyries, didnt ride for 20+ years before  buying the Valk in 2012. 

[Jess from VA]

So Big, how do you know you drained five qts, did you measure it?  What made you do that?

Perhaps someone glugged in a whole 5-qt jug, instead of a 4-qt (gallon) jug in error.

If you were a quart over, how did your breather tube gook look, and was it really full?

I'm thinking a quart too much would have shown noticeable symptoms. 

[Momz]

If in fact you had 5 quarts of oil in the crankcase, their would be oil in the breather and in the "Drool" tube.
An extra quart could have locked the motor or had blow-by past the piston rings, thus forming clouds of smoke from the exhaust.

[YoungPUP]

Learned back in High school shop class (Thanks Mr. Kussy! R.I.P.) That an over filled engine will  experience almost identical failure as an engine that was run low on oil. This is because the crankshaft spinning through the extra oil in the crank case will cause foaming which will starve out the pump and run the bearings dry.

[Challenger]

You are correct on that YoungPup. We had some new 500 hp tractors come out with too short of dip sticks, customers would top them off to the upper line and only run about a minute before the oil light would come on. oil would get aerated and foamy, The 5 quart jug theory sound feasible. I just can't see it running right with that much oil in the crank.  As far as measuring, I always pour my used oil back into the original jugs to transport to the recycle center. 

[Big E]

All
As far as I can tell, there haven't been any adverse effects. I've never experienced any smoke or leaks of any kind. The bike is garage-kept so I would notice any leaking, also have never seen any spotting when parked while out riding.
The engine knocks and clicks some when warming up but based on what I've read here, that is somewhat normal.  I haven't ridden since changing the oil today but did start it up and let it idle for a few minutes; sounds normal as before. 
The old oil seemed okay also.  Not overly thin or even that dirty, no sludge.  I had an old gallon ice cream tub i was going to take the old oil to recycle with that i filled plus a another pint of oil at least.  Just estimating 5 qts. but think that is a pretty good guess. 
Like I said, I have a lot to learn about this bike but this seemed abnormal.   Supposedly it was professionally serviced just before I bought it with all fluids changed and carbs calibrated, the works. Now I cant help but wonder. 

[Big E]

You are correct on that YoungPup. We had some new 500 hp tractors come out with too short of dip sticks, customers would top them off to the upper line and only run about a minute before the oil light would come on. oil would get aerated and foamy, The 5 quart jug theory sound feasible. I just can't see it running right with that much oil in the crank.  As far as measuring, I always pour my used oil back into the original jugs to transport to the recycle center. 

Nothing worse than a too short dipstick!

[pancho]

You are correct on that YoungPup. We had some new 500 hp tractors come out with too short of dip sticks, customers would top them off to the upper line and only run about a minute before the oil light would come on. oil would get aerated and foamy, The 5 quart jug theory sound feasible. I just can't see it running right with that much oil in the crank.  As far as measuring, I always pour my used oil back into the original jugs to transport to the recycle center. 

Nothing worse than a too short dipstick!

Your certainly right about that....

[wild6]

When checking the dip stick level, did you screw it in first? (it needs to be screwed in) And did you hold the bike off the stand?
(Sorry, just had to ask)

[The emperor has no clothes]

When checking the dip stick level, did you screw it in first? (it needs to be screwed in) And did you hold the bike off the stand?
(Sorry, just had to ask)

I have always checked my level without it screwed in. Bike level and dipstick just sitting on top.

[signart]

Not supposed to screw in dipstick. Hold bike level while checking.

[Gideon]

When checking the dip stick level, did you screw it in first? (it needs to be screwed in) And did you hold the bike off the stand?
(Sorry, just had to ask)

I have always checked my level without it screwed in. Bike level and dipstick just sitting on top.

[Bone]

Pg. 27   Owners Manual

3. After a few minutes remove dipstick, wipe it clean, and reinsert the dipstick without screwing it in. Remove the dipstick. The oil level should be between the upper and lower marks on the dipstick.

[tank_post142]

sounds like you got screwed on ice cream, rather than too much oil.

[Patrick]

All
As far as I can tell, there haven't been any adverse effects. I've never experienced any smoke or leaks of any kind. The bike is garage-kept so I would notice any leaking, also have never seen any spotting when parked while out riding.
The engine knocks and clicks some when warming up but based on what I've read here, that is somewhat normal.  I haven't ridden since changing the oil today but did start it up and let it idle for a few minutes; sounds normal as before.  
The old oil seemed okay also.  Not overly thin or even that dirty, no sludge.  I had an old gallon ice cream tub i was going to take the old oil to recycle with that i filled plus a another pint of oil at least.  Just estimating 5 qts. but think that is a pretty good guess.  
Like I said, I have a lot to learn about this bike but this seemed abnormal.   Supposedly it was professionally serviced just before I bought it with all fluids changed and carbs calibrated, the works. Now I cant help but wonder.  

The engine knocks when warming up !?  It shouldn't !



Just to clear up some other comments.
Drain oil with bike level.
Put in 4qts [ it won't know or care about the extra .1 qt][ I raise the front and get 4 or more out of it]
Check oil with bike level and dipstick resting on the block, not screwed in.

[Harv]

That's what she said!

Nothing worse than a too short dipstick!
[/quote]

[Toledo Mark]

sounds like you got screwed on ice cream, rather than too much oil.

Check your ice cream container size.  Many ice cream companies have shrunk their size some over the years.  May not be a true gallon anymore.

[Chrisj CMA]

Oil Change and Oil Check

This procedure is for a Valkyrie that doesn't smoke or leak.  If your Valkyrie smokes or leaks...something needs fixing....Valkyries shouldn't smoke or leak.

1.  Drain the oil with the bike STRAIGHT UP vertical.  Q. How much oil comes out?     A.  All of it

2.  Dump in a gallon of fresh oil and a new filter.  Q.  Where on the stick does the oil come to?  A. Does not matter you have a full engine

3.  Check the oil before every ride.  Q. How?  A. Look under the bike, no oil on the floor means its all still inside......GO RIDE.  


PS.  I don't think you can run a Valkyrie with 5 qts of oil without blowing or leaking some every ride.......it would be  bad

[Firefighter]

Engines can't make more oil. Like the guys say, either you are wrong, checking wrong, wrong dipstick, someone added more oil or something else to your crankcase, have coolant leaking into oil, have gasoline leaking into oil, pretty sure you would be able to tell if gas or coolant was in the oil. Let us know!      Firefighter