Lost oil pressure

[Dltbr]

Ok 2003 pit bull with 4200 miles , I just installed an oil pressure gauge and new sending unit last week. Everything was fine had 12-15 lbs at idle alls was good until today. I have only idled the motor due to snow and cold here in Ma

I started it up today, let idle for about 10 minutes and the noticed the oil indicator light started blinking , oil pressure was at 5-7 lbs shut it down and checked oil level and was fine. Started it up again and zero was reading on gauge and light on.

So that's the issue and sounds like the oil pump may have gone , any suggestions to check before ordering a new one and will the lifter screen cause something like this ? I have not been able to get the screw out holding that in to clean it yet.

Thanks in advance Dale

 

[ringo]

a couple of thoughts: first, you got to get that lifter screen to ensure its clean
second, install a mechanical oil psi gauge to verify readings.

 

[Mr. Wright]

It could be the guage. Put another guage on it and pull the spark plugs, so you can spin it over with out starting it. It will pump enough pressure to give you a reading if that was the problem. On the tappet screen, the easiest way i have found to get that plug loose with out marring it, is to use a drag link socket. It looks like a screwdriver blade you put on a ratchet. Most auto parts stores will have one. You might have to grind the edges of the blade a bit to get it to fit into the slot.

 

[ground pounder]

If its not the tappet screen being dirty or the gauge being bad. The key in the gear that drives the oil pump may have sheared off. How long did you let the bike idle? If the motor gets really hot your oil pressure will read almost nothing at idle. When you rev it up a little the pressure will come up. Let us know what you find out. Good Luck!!!

 

[woodbutcher]

it may be as simple as when the motor warmed up, it idled down and if the rpm at idle is under, say, 950 rpm the oil pressure is going to drop. try bumping up the idle.

 

[07bigdog]

it may be as simple as when the motor warmed up, it idled down and if the rpm at idle is under, say, 950 rpm the oil pressure is going to drop. try bumping up the idle.

I think Woodbutcher is right. Your idle is too low. Rev it up a bit and see if your light goes out and then see what your gauge is reading.

 

[05 old dog]

really hot oil will only read about 4lbs at idle which should be 1000 to 1100rpm...most of the guages will read 0

 

[Brew]

Agreed with the idle adjustment...:2thumbs:

 

[Dltbr]

Cold off

Ok it cooled off for about a half hour and was back to 12-14 lbs . That is better so, I idled it up a little and will see if it does it again. Running 14-16 cold now. But seems like when the oil gets hot and thins out. I'm running amsoil 20-50 w that will make me nervous if it does it on long runs though.

Thanks

 

[woodbutcher]

pressure should increase with RPM so just keep a close eye on the gauge.

 

[Sven]

I would not start the bike up if oil pressure is involved. Like some said, remove the screen and note 2 things. 1) You have gravity flow. 2) Set the bike in top gear, then push the bike so you see oil being sent up to the top end. If no flow out of that screen housing, then yes, you have an oil pump issue.

Worse thing you can do is score parts [even more is the possibility] looking for an oil pressure loss? This is like Shovelicious over [again] at that website, which btw (banned me over a stupid oil discussion) and that oil pressure thread. You shoulda been there. Now that was chaos "HUB-STYle." :roll: :reddevil: