Oil filter relocation kit

[Rogue1]

I have read a couple of posts on this forum and others about the warranty being affected if you're running an oil filter relocation kit. Has anyone had any experience with this? I believe I remember the DK ad stating there is no oil restriction in running this kit.

[SmittysTrike]

I have read a couple of posts on this forum and others about the warranty being affected if you're running an oil filter relocation kit. Has anyone had any experience with this? I believe I remember the DK ad stating there is no oil restriction in running this kit.

My service writer saw mine and just said it makes an oil change easier. Liked it. I added the cleanable filter housing which has alot less restriction. But that said, the MoCo would have to prove that the kit caused a warrantee issue.

[PosseRider]

I have read a couple of posts on this forum and others about the warranty being affected if you're running an oil filter relocation kit. Has anyone had any experience with this? I believe I remember the DK ad stating there is no oil restriction in running this kit.

I also remember someone posting that. Best ,to check with dealer. I think it had to do with the extra oil lines length. Oil pump not strong enough ???

[Old Road Dog]

Ive been running the DK oil filter relo for a over a year and a half no problems. I also use the reusable oil filter along with the braided SS oil lines and hose finishers. Worth every penny and the dog dosnt hide when a lot of bad words are said trying to keep from making a mess with the stock filter location.My '76 SuperGlide has something similar. Saw a write up in Easyriders and installed a remote spin on oil filter in line with the Lockhart oil cooler. Much better than that silly intank fiber filter.

[Old Road Dog]

I also remember someone posting that. Best ,to check with dealer. I think it had to do with the extra oil lines length. Oil pump not strong enough ???

Nah.....if it was a weak pump I would think you'd see a corresponding problem with oil pressure. I have the A1 oil pressure gauge and there is no change.

[SmittysTrike]

• I do think Kevin mentioned that it wouldn't take long to remove the kit if going to the dealer and you thought it would be an issue.
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[Sidecarbill]

Keeping in mind that dealers are like insurance companies always looking for an excuse not to pay.

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I have one on my 17 with 31,000 miles on it and no issues yet.

[Old Road Dog]

• I do think Kevin mentioned that it wouldn't take long to remove the kit if going to the dealer and you thought it would be an issue.
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Tech: "Why the oil lines and mounting on there but your still running the stock filter?" Denny Dipstick: "Thats for when HD's crummy 2 year warranty runs out then I'll hook it up.Gotta think ahead son."

[Olddog]

My service writer saw mine and just said it makes an oil change easier. Liked it. I added the cleanable filter housing which has alot less restriction. But that said, the MoCo would have to prove that the kit caused a warrantee issue.

“I added the cleanable filter housing which has alot less restriction” Smitty, I don’t doubt your statement, but what indications of that do have for comparison? I would love to do the relocation, and prefer the look of the cleanable filter housing, it’s just that that I got a 5 year warranty with the TG, from the previous owner, and I’m skittish about H-D playing warranty games. If there is any clear indications that it has less restrictions than the stock screw on filter, I would be willing to take a chance.

Thanks, Al

[rhino 2]

My service writer saw mine and just said it makes an oil change easier. Liked it. I added the cleanable filter housing which has alot less restriction. But that said, the MoCo would have to prove that the kit caused a warrantee issue.

Being the Devils Advocate...........

They don't have to prove that it caused a warrantee problem (At First)...All that they have to say is it did cause the problem and they will not fix it under warrantee.....So at that point you would need to get a lawyer and spend a lot of time and money fighting them...And from experience once they hear the word Lawyer they will only talk to your lawyer not you! ...Been there myself ..And this is where a good dealer is your best first option..

[hardwickbv]

I just had this experience.

Bike went into the shop for a deer accident and was there for 2 months before I got it back.

11 days later the top end gave out on the way home from work. Called them to come and pick it up on the road.

They had it another 2 months.

They replaced everything above the crankcase under ESP.

Also said they put the new oil pump in as mine had the old one.

While it was in, they told me it would be best to remove the relocation kit and reusable oil filter.

They said that if a rep came to look at it from Harley that they would deny the claim if they saw it.

Told them I would remove it when I got it home.

When I picked it up the technician that worked on it gave me some more information.

They have had 2 bikes with relocation kits fail mine with 77000 miles and another with 3000. Claimed that Harley stated that they see it all the time on the water-cooled bikes not the air-cooled ones.

He did show me why he thought this happens in the water-cooled bikes and I took this photo.



the shorter one is from a water cooled and the taller one is from an air cooled.

Makes no sense to me why there is a difference between them.

Also 2 data points with that many miles between them are irrelevant. Not to mention I don't know what brand was on the other bike or who installed it. I have installed all my mods.

Needless to say, if I have another issue, I will remove it before they see it but I will not run without it or any of the other mods I am running to cool the engine down. All of them are from DK Custom.

Do what makes you happy and ride safe.

Bob

[Rogue1]

I just had this experience.

Bike went into the shop for a deer accident and was there for 2 months before I got it back.

11 days later the top end gave out on the way home from work. Called them to come and pick it up on the road.

They had it another 2 months.

They replaced everything above the crankcase under ESP.

Also said they put the new oil pump in as mine had the old one.

While it was in, they told me it would be best to remove the relocation kit and reusable oil filter.

They said that if a rep came to look at it from Harley that they would deny the claim if they saw it.

Told them I would remove it when I got it home.

When I picked it up the technician that worked on it gave me some more information.

They have had 2 bikes with relocation kits fail mine with 77000 miles and another with 3000. Claimed that Harley stated that they see it all the time on the water-cooled bikes not the air-cooled ones.

He did show me why he thought this happens in the water-cooled bikes and I took this photo.



the shorter one is from a water cooled and the taller one is from an air cooled.

Makes no sense to me why there is a difference between them.

Also 2 data points with that many miles between them are irrelevant. Not to mention I don't know what brand was on the other bike or who installed it. I have installed all my mods.

Needless to say, if I have another issue, I will remove it before they see it but I will not run without it or any of the other mods I am running to cool the engine down. All of them are from DK Custom.

Do what makes you happy and ride safe.

Bob

That's the information I was looking for. But I fail to understand why the difference between the water cooled and the air cooled. Definitely gives me something to think about.

[ISP-FL]

I have read a couple of posts on this forum and others about the warranty being affected if you're running an oil filter relocation kit. Has anyone had any experience with this? I believe I remember the DK ad stating there is no oil restriction in running this kit.

Don't ask me how I know this, but here is what I think. If you are running an oil relocation kit and your gear and bottom end gets trashed then your extended warranty will cover it. I would recommend you take the kit off and put a OEM filter back where it originally goes before taking the bike in just so there isn't even a question about the kit causing an issue.

I PROMISE you that if you mix up the lines during the install you will trash your bottom end, gear, and probably cam. If you install it correctly though you will love it and wonder how you ever got along without it.

[ultrafxr]

I just had this experience.

When I picked it up the technician that worked on it gave me some more information.

They have had 2 bikes with relocation kits fail mine with 77000 miles and another with 3000. Claimed that Harley stated that they see it all the time on the water-cooled bikes not the air-cooled ones.

Bob

That's what they call anecdotal evidence - no scientific validity. I had 110" engines trashed on two different CVO Ultras and the tech and service manager wanted to blame my use of Mobil 1 V-Twin synthetic oil saying they had seen some others and they too used Mobil 1. Harley and the Harley ESP had no problem approving my claims so BS I say. Perhaps those of us who use other (and I think better) brands of oil and / or accessories are more informed and higher mileage riders. Not sure. But to say I've seen a couple of them do that and ergo the use / installation of that product is the cause is quite a stretch imo.

[ROAD DOG]

Don't ask me how I know this, but here is what I think. If you are running an oil relocation kit and your gear and bottom end gets trashed then your extended warranty will cover it. I would recommend you take the kit off and put a OEM filter back where it originally goes before taking the bike in just so there isn't even a question about the kit causing an issue.

I PROMISE you that if you mix up the lines during the install you will trash your bottom end, gear, and probably cam. If you install it correctly though you will love it and wonder how you ever got along without it.

Ok I wont ask how you no this? BUT HOW DO YOU NOW THIS ?????

[Jack Klarich]

IMO HD is going to say their engineers have not tested any oil filter / filters other than their own, so corporate HD would deny warranty

[ultrafxr]

Unfortunately I've had way too much experience with serious repair claims both under factory warranty and Harley's ESP. This was on 110" motors on my 2007 and also my 2012 CVO Ultras. You think I'd learn, lol.

From my experience it is kind of a crap shoot whether they will want an on site inspection prior to approving the repair. When that happens there is not a lot the dealer can do. The decision is always up to the payor - either Harley or their (or third party) ESP. On the two total engine replacements they were approved verbally. On the two almost total rebuilds they sent an inspector. So imo what it boils down to is this: Do you feel lucky having items that very well may cause a denial if discovered on your bike? If not remove them prior to taking it in for service.

[DK Custom Products]

I have read a couple of posts on this forum and others about the warranty being affected if you're running an oil filter relocation kit. Has anyone had any experience with this? I believe I remember the DK ad stating there is no oil restriction in running this kit.

That is correct. The oil filter relocation does not add any oil restriction, nor does it overwork the oil pump. This was the very first thing we tested, almost a decade ago.

It has been confirmed by hundreds of Customers that have seen No drop in oil pressure, nor had any oil pump issues.

When you think about how small some of the passages are in the engine and the OEM oil coolers, then look at the larger oil passages in the engine and the oil filter relo, you can see they are well matched.

As far as warranty, yes, there are some dealerships that seem to want to find reasons not to do warranty work. But with the recent spanking the FTC gave Harley and all their dealerships, that should be less of a concern now. (see video below)

IF a dealership tells you anything that violates the FTC ruling, like, your warranty will be voided if you add this air cleaner or that oil filter relocation....attempt a reasoned conversation with them. If that is not possible, change dealerships, or better yet, report their illegal activity to the FTC (which costs you nothing, and may result in that dealership starting to act right).



Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

Being the Devils Advocate...........

They don't have to prove that it caused a warrantee problem (At First)...All that they have to say is it did cause the problem and they will not fix it under warrantee.....So at that point you would need to get a lawyer and spend a lot of time and money fighting them...And from experience once they hear the word Lawyer they will only talk to your lawyer not you! ...Been there myself ..And this is where a good dealer is your best first option..

Yep, there are some that are just bad apples, others that are uninformed, and some good ones.

With the FTC ruling (video in another post in this thread) I would try and help the dealership use some common sense AND follow the FTC ruling, if that did not work I would find another dealership...a good one.

IF, there are no good dealerships in your area, then just take off what offends their sensibilities, before going in, and then hope they don't fix one thing and break another.

Kevin