Harley Davidson Twin Cam 88 Oil Capacity [An On-Point Guide!] 


Harley Davidson twin cam 88 holds up to 2800 ml, 3 quarts, or 100 imp fl oz of oil. From now on, you should always keep this number in mind when filling the Harley’s oil tank to adequately lubricate the moving parts.

Anyway, that is not all. Apart from knowing the oil capacity, it is a must to change the oil in the manufacturer’s recommended way with the correct oil type. So to learn more, continue reading.

What Is The Oil Capacity Of The Harley Davidson Twin Cam 88 Engine?

Undoubtedly, the Harley Davidson twin cam 88 engine is highly efficient and one of the most reliable engines. 

When it comes to oil capacity, it is a general rule to use the correct amount of oil to optimize the performance of the engine, running the engine reliably and smoothly. 

As stated, the Harley Davidson twin cam 88 engine holds up to 3 quarts of oil. The amount is equivalent to 2800 ml or 2.8 liters or 100 imp fl oz. 

But you should keep in mind that this amount of oil is a rough estimation. The Harley Davidson has a wide range of bike years [from 1999 to 2006] and models including the Softail and the Dyna models powered by twin cam 88 engine. 

And there is a slight difference in the oil amount depending on the year and model of the Harley Davidson. 

Based on the model and year, the engine can take up to 3.5 to 4 quarts of oil. 

So whenever you are changing the oil of your twin cam 88 engine, the best bet is to check the owner’s manual to determine the exact oil capacity. 

Only the owner’s manual of your bike of specific models and years can provide you with detailed and reliable information about the matter.

Read Also: Harley 6 Speed Transmission Oil Capacity: Shift Gears Smoothly

What Type Of Oil Does The Harley Davidson Twin Cam 88 Engine Take?

In your Harley Davidson twin cam 88 engine, you should always use the manufacturer’s recommended 20W-50 full-synthetic oil [for all weather conditions] to protect the engine from wear and tear. 

Here we have listed some engine oils that maintain manufacturers’ guidelines. 

1. Amsoil V-TWIN 20W-50 Full Synthetic

Amsoil V-TWIN 20W-50 Full Synthetic
Amsoil V-TWIN 20W-50 Full Synthetic

For Harley Davidson twin cam 88 engine, it is highly recommended to use AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50

It protects the engine from getting overheated and offers maximum efficiency. Actually, AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 is a convenient oil for all three sumps.

2. MOBIL 1 20W50 Fully Synthetic Motorcycle Oil

Our second pick is the MOBIL 1 20W50 Fully Synthetic Motorcycle Oil for your twin cam 88 engine. 

It is the best choice next to the Amsoil oil. The oil is great in providing maximum protection in the twin-cam 88 engine. 

Moreover, the oil combines high performance, excellent protection against wear and tear, high temperature, and corrosion.

Read Also: How To Check Primary Oil On Harley Davidson? [6 Easy Steps]

3. CASTROL® POWER1® V-TWIN

CASTROL® POWER1® V-TWIN png
CASTROL® POWER1® V-TWIN png

If you are searching for oil for your twin cam 88 engine that can meet up the quality standard as well as being budget-friendly, then the CASTROL® POWER1® V-TWIN can be a good option. 

It is an advanced fully synthetic oil for modern V-twin engines. The oil is specially formulated to offer ultimate protection and performance to the Harley Davidson twin-cam engine.

4. Motul 7100 4T Synthetic Ester Motor Oil 20W 50 [Other Consideration] 

Finally, there comes the Motul 7100 4T synthetic ester motor oil 20W 50 in the list. 

The oil assists the engine to optimize friction control. In addition, it reduces unexpected noise and engine vibration. 

The oil enhances the engine’s thermal stability as well as provides ultimate engine, gearbox, and clutch protection.

Read Also: Harley Fork Oil Capacity Chart [A Quick And Easy Guide]

How To Change The Oil Of Harley Davidson Twin Cam 88 Engine?

Changing the oil of your Harley Davidson twin cam 88 engine is not a very hard task to accomplish. 

The process is quite easy and requires a few basic tools. To assist you the best, we have listed the things that you must follow when changing the engine oil. 

Step 1: Drain The Old Oil 

The first thing you need to do is to drain the old oil of your twin cam 88 engine by removing the drain plug. 

But keep in mind that the twin cam has two drain plugs, one for the engine and one for the transmission in one big piece. 

So you need to identify the engine drain plug when you are only draining the engine oil. Here the manual comes into play. 

Step 2: Remove The Oil Filter 

Next is to remove the oil filter of your Harley Davidson bike which is on the front lower section of the engine. 

It is very easy to remove. You just need a very large pair of pliers or a small oil filter wrench to do the task. 

Once done, ensure to clean the area that mounts the oil filter. 

Step 3: Install A New Oil Filter 

Now get a new filter and install it in your engine. Before installing, spread some oil around the rubber gasket. If you want, you can also put some oil into the new oil filter. 

Step 4: Install The Drain Plug 

As all the oil is drained out, now put it back in the drain plug of your engine. 

Clean off the end of the drain plug. In some cases, before putting back the drain plug, it may need a new rubber gasket over it.

Step 5: Add New Oil 

Now it is time for adding the engine oil. Get 3 quarts of oil or the amount that your bike’s manual says. 

Remove the cap and pour the oil into the tank. You should use that engine oil that can protect your engine or the manufacturer’s recommendation. 

You are all done! Easy enough, right?

Read Also: Who Makes Harley Davidson Oil? Things You Mightn’t Know!

FAQs

By now, hope you have gotten all the points of the twin cam 88 oil capacity. Still, we will cover some of the most asked queries for further understanding. 

How Often Should Harley Davidson Twin Cam Oil Be Changed?

Harley Davidson recommends changing the oil of the engine every 2,500 miles but an inspection to be done after 1,000 miles. Using semi-synthetic oil, the bike can go up to 5,000 to 6,000 miles whereas, for fully synthetic oil, it can run up to 7,000 to 10,000 miles. 

How Much Oil Goes Into Harley Primary?

In Harley Davidson bikes, the connection between the transmission output and the engine shaft is called ‘primary’. The primary of the Harley Davidson bikes requires one quart of oil. 

What Happens If The Oil Is Low On Your Harley? 

If the Harley Davidson runs on low oil, the components of the engine will face a lack of lubrication. As a result, friction will occur, causing the engine of the Harley bikes to overheat. It can also damage the transmission, crankshafts, connective rods, or valves. 

What Is The Best Oil For A Harley Davidson Twin Cam Primary? 

For your Harley Davidson twin cam primary, the best oil will be the Mobil 1 Racing™ 4T 10W-40 motorcycle oil. But it will also be okay if you feed up the primary of the engine with the Mobil 1™ V-Twin 20W-50. 

Final Words 

Well, time to bid farewell. Always use the correct amount of fluid in your twin cam 88 engine as the oil functions as engine coolant. 

Running the engine in a low amount of fluid causes friction and in the worst cases, engine seizing happens. 

So to have many miles on the road with the twin cam 88, always be cautious about the matter.

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