Normal Oil Consumption?

[greghj]

Mike, sorry for asking my second question in a week, but you're a credible source of information and that's hard to find. My question concerns oil consumption and how much of it is "normal." My local H.D. dealer says as much a one quart per 1,000 miles is considered normal - sounds ridiculous. I have an 05 Road King and before I did the 95" kit, it used about 1/2 quart every 2,000 miles. Since I had the 95" kit done (SE flat top pistons, SE performance heads, S&S 570G cam, Fueling oil pump & lifters) I use about 1/3 quart every 1500 miles. I have 5000 miles on the new build and broke it in with H.D. dino and now I use H.D. Syn3 oil. I do a lot of high speed riding (80 or so) on freeways & rural highways. The bike runs great, just wondering (before the warranty on my build is up) if this oil consumption is an issue to be concerned about.

Thanks in advance.

[Mike]

For warranty purpose's 1qt/1000 would be considered acceptable. Much of the cunsumption can be from carryover into the air cleaner. When riding hard and steady with larger than normal throttle openings and with increased overlap in the cams oil consumption can be fairly high. I started to suspect valve guide seals as these were an issue on early 05's, but you've got the SE heads which do not use those seals. But, if I had to start somewhere the breathers in the rocker covers and valve guide seals would be the first two.
Mike

[greghj]

Thanks Mike, that helps. Not being a wrench, if it is the breathers in the rocker covers is that something that can be corrected without too much cost?

[Mike]

Yep, easy for your local dealer.
Mike