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Oil Pressure

11K views 18 replies 11 participants last post by  mocotom 
#1 ·
So, I'm posting this in General b/c I just want some general opinions of my recent situation.

While on a Patriot Guard ride, <94 degrees, rarely over 40 mph, and about 40 miles> my oil pressure went to about 2 or 3. Bike ran really rough, and it was about to stall, when I got to the parking lot. Parked the bike and let her cool down a while.

Got back on hour or so later and went home. As I got up to speed pressure went back up to around 32, but whenever I slowed or stopped, dropped back down, but never to zero and bike didn't run rough again.

I'm ashamed to say that I never made a mental note of how it acted prior to this, but after giving it an oil/filter change myself, it seems to be better....Now it stays around 32 until it gets hot and then dips to not less than 10 when I stop @idle.

I have 7800 miles on my bike and had the dealer do the 5k service in June. So I know it was coming up on being due, but would bad oil (or if they 'forgot' to change the oil) do that?

My other question is, since we've had a warmer than normal summer in the US this year, has anyone else noticed anything similar? Finally, should I be more concerned than, just waiting until I take it to someone for something else and have it checked out then, or should I drop everything and get it in right away? It would be under warranty, probably, but don't really want to do w/o for a 3 days to a week.....

I do my non warranty work with smaller local bike shop and trust them fully, he said as long as it stays at 10 or better, I should be ok. but would rather know for sure than risk my baby's life....anybody that knows engines better than me, have any thoughts? TIA
 
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#2 ·
Sounds to me like the oil level might have been a little low, and of course with the engine and oil hot you had less pressure. Did you check the level after the oil change, and how often do you check the level?
 
#7 ·
Thank you to everyone who has responded!!



I admittedly, didn't check until this happened, and while low, still it was still in 'safe' area

Its normal for the pressure to be around 10lbs @ idle when hot and rise to 30-32 lbs riding. Every engine can have a slightly different reading. The oil pressure gauge HD has isnt the most accurate.

As far as it running rough It could be related to the gas you got. Todays chemical makeup of gas with ethanol will break down fairly quickly. If the station you bought the gas from doesnt sell alot of high test gas it will show in your performance.

I would recommend getting Seafoam and adding some in your tank with each fill up for a few times to see if it helps clear up your injectors
I get my gas always at BJ's, with my card cheapest around and always use premium in my bike. So do a lot of people, not sure how much premium they go through, but I would assume some. Also, I have been using seafoam approx. every other fill up for about 2 months now.

I'd bet that the MoCo has more "low oil pressure" warranty inquiries than all others put together. As someone stated, as long as it's 30-ish lbs at speed and as long as the red warning light doesn't come on your fine. You will know when you have no oil pressure, the lifters will start CLACKING loudly, much worse than they normally do.

I just worry that if the idiot light comes on there's already potential for damage.

Rough running- the most likely cost is the bike EITMS system that shuts down the rear cylinder at idle if the engine temp gets above about 312*(I think that's the number). There are several steps to the process, but it basically shuts off the fuel to the rear cylinder at idle so that the engine only passes air, which cools the cylinder.
Yes, it sounds like crap when it does it.
Check your owner's manual for a full explanation.
After this happened, when starting to do some searches, I found out about EITMS and it was disabled. It is enabled now, but have not felt it kick in yet.

again, huge thanks to all who responded.
 
#3 ·
Its normal for the pressure to be around 10lbs @ idle when hot and rise to 30-32 lbs riding. Every engine can have a slightly different reading. The oil pressure gauge HD has isnt the most accurate.

As far as it running rough It could be related to the gas you got. Todays chemical makeup of gas with ethanol will break down fairly quickly. If the station you bought the gas from doesnt sell alot of high test gas it will show in your performance.

I would recommend getting Seafoam and adding some in your tank with each fill up for a few times to see if it helps clear up your injectors
 
#5 ·
I'd bet that the MoCo has more "low oil pressure" warranty inquiries than all others put together. As someone stated, as long as it's 30-ish lbs at speed and as long as the red warning light doesn't come on your fine. You will know when you have no oil pressure, the lifters will start CLACKING loudly, much worse than they normally do.

Rough running- the most likely cost is the bike EITMS system that shuts down the rear cylinder at idle if the engine temp gets above about 312*(I think that's the number). There are several steps to the process, but it basically shuts off the fuel to the rear cylinder at idle so that the engine only passes air, which cools the cylinder.
Yes, it sounds like crap when it does it.
Check your owner's manual for a full explanation.
 
#6 ·
Mine used to drop down to about 5 PSI at idle when fully warmed up.
You have to remember no two oil sending units and or the gauge will read the same.
Last time I was in the cam chest I slipped the Baisley spring into the cam support plate.
It will now read no less than 15 PSI when up to temp.
 
#13 ·
While stuck in Houston traffic about a month ago, mine did the same thing. The oil pressure would read below 5psi, and I figured because at this point the oil was so hot, well, it's just more liquid, that's why. My EITMS kicked in as well while at lights. All I did was stop the bike for about 15 minutes to let the traffic die down and it did and then took off, didn't think much of it. I just changed my oil 1000 miles after that situation (5k service), and kept riding.
 
#19 ·
Oil pressure on the latest version Screamin eagle pump and cam plate is normally around the 50psi mark at 2000 rpm and 15psi at idle, this is with normal oil temps of 220 -230 degrees. Lots of debates about whether or not the increase is necessary, most think it is.
 
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