Author Topic: question regarding oil warning (Read 3551 times)

jan.van.gent · « **on:** 31 August 2016, 07:37:05 pm »

Hi everyone,

I noticed today when pulling up (1/2nd gear from 4000 rpm to 8000 rpm), sometimes the oil warning light goes on (for a split second or little bit longer).
While the oil level is at max.
Any ideas what could cause this? Faulty sensor? Faulty oil pump? Or is this normal (oil goes to the back of the sump because acceleration?)? Bad filter (not enough flow)?

Filter and oil have been replaced by myself 2 months ago (3000 km's or so), standard 10W40 (motorcycle).

Best regards,
Jan

Jules-C · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 August 2016, 08:04:12 pm »

This is normal on some bikes. If the light only flickers briefly under hard acceleration it's nothing to worry about. The oil level sensors seem to be more sensitive on some bikes than others.

celticdog · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 August 2016, 08:07:51 pm »

Quote from: Jules-C on 31 August 2016, 08:04:12 pm

This is normal on some bikes. If the light only flickers briefly under hard acceleration it's nothing to worry about. The oil level sensors seem to be more sensitive on some bikes than others.

Yep I get that sometimes, usually when I'm trying to thrash the engine uphill!

The oil warning light flashes if the oil temp gets too high or if the oil pressure or level is too low. Oil lubricates your engine, the oil pump sprays the fluid to all corners of your engine. If the temp gets too high, or even worse, level is low or the oil pressure drops, the effectiveness of the lubrication is reduced. I'm not sure what causes it to be honest but I like your suggestion-(oil goes to the back of the sump because acceleration?) Personally I think it's best to have a little to much oil in the system than not enough. i.e. 2.8l is better than 2.6l

darrsi · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 August 2016, 08:11:52 pm »

Put the bike on the centre stand, start the engine for 30-60 seconds, then watch the oil window until the oil settles.
That's your proper level.
Chances are there's just not enough oil in the sump.
The light is for the level, not pressure.

celticdog · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 August 2016, 08:40:50 pm »

Quote from: darrsi on 31 August 2016, 08:11:52 pm

Put the bike on the centre stand, start the engine for 30-60 seconds, then watch the oil window until the oil settles.
That's your proper level.
Chances are there's just not enough oil in the sump.
The light is for the level, not pressure.

Agreed, I'd check the oil level. However the level is only an indication of volume within a closed system, more oil equals more pressure.

fazersharp · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 August 2016, 08:45:39 pm »

Yep I had the same thing and all it took was about an eggcup full

of oil to stop it.

darrsi · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 August 2016, 09:18:54 pm »

Quote from: fazersharp on 31 August 2016, 08:45:39 pm

Yep I had the same thing and all it took was about an eggcup full of oil to stop it.

You and your egg cup.
An egg cup of oil spread over the area of a sump will do absolutely nothing!

fazersharp · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 August 2016, 10:03:18 pm »

Quote from: darrsi on 31 August 2016, 09:18:54 pm

Quote from: fazersharp on 31 August 2016, 08:45:39 pm
Yep I had the same thing and all it took was about an eggcup full of oil to stop it.

You and your egg cup.
An egg cup of oil spread over the area of a sump will do absolutely nothing!

Well that's the point, its a switch with an on and an off so there has to be a point where there is enough oil to not trip it and the difference between not adding any and only adding an eggcup full was the difference needed to not trip the switch, on fast acceleration.

jan.van.gent · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 August 2016, 10:49:39 pm »

The oil level is at max (at center stand).I rather wont add any more. I double checked this today. Its in deed when accelerating max, and mostly uphil.

So the sensor is oil level not pressure? Is there as well a pressure sensor (and warning light)? Because pressure tells much more than level. Especially during acceleration. Are there any baffles in the sump to make sure not all the oil goes straight to the back at acceleration? Or is the oil pickup at the back? While the sensor for the level is at the front?

My other bike is dry sump (wr250f) so never such issues there...

darrsi · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 August 2016, 10:52:36 pm »

Quote from: jan.van.gent on 31 August 2016, 10:49:39 pm

The oil level is at max (at center stand).I rather wont add any more. I double checked this today. Its in deed when accelerating max, and mostly uphil.

So the sensor is oil level not pressure? Is there as well a pressure sensor (and warning light)? Because pressure tells much more than level. Especially during acceleration. Are there any baffles in the sump to make sure not all the oil goes straight to the back at acceleration? Or is the oil pickup at the back? While the sensor for the level is at the front?

My other bike is dry sump (wr250f) so never such issues there...

Just to confirm, this was checked after starting the engine for a minute?

No pressure sensor.

jan.van.gent · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 August 2016, 10:54:49 pm »

After drving for 1 hour and than rest it for 2 min.
Level is very close to max.

fazersharp · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 August 2016, 11:12:52 pm »

Quote from: jan.van.gent on 31 August 2016, 10:54:49 pm

After drving for 1 hour and than rest it for 2 min.
Level is very close to max.

PUT AN EGG CUP FULL IN then come back here and tell darrsi that it no longer does it

darrsi · « **Reply #12 on:** 31 August 2016, 11:38:08 pm »

Make it an ostrich egg cup full

darrsi · « **Reply #13 on:** 31 August 2016, 11:40:43 pm »

You did state that it's mostly uphill when it happens.
As long as you know there's enough oil in there then don't worry about it.

YamFazFan · « **Reply #14 on:** 01 September 2016, 06:53:43 pm »

Quote from: darrsi on 31 August 2016, 11:38:08 pm

Make it an ostrich egg cup full

celticdog · « **Reply #15 on:** 02 September 2016, 02:42:01 pm »

I'd like to be the first person to use the term 'Viscosity' on this oil thread.

Shappaeye · « **Reply #16 on:** 02 September 2016, 04:15:14 pm »

I always thought it was the 'change up' light.

His Dudeness · « **Reply #17 on:** 02 September 2016, 05:00:57 pm »

Quote from: Shappaeye on 02 September 2016, 04:15:14 pm

I always thought it was the 'change up' light.

It's the egg cup light

fazersharp · « **Reply #18 on:** 07 September 2016, 09:36:19 am »

Come on - have you put that eggcup full of oil in yet

wickedmonkey · « **Reply #19 on:** 07 September 2016, 04:41:07 pm »

Mine sometimes does the same accelerating hard uphill. Oil level at the max mark when on the centre stand on level ground.

Would like to know if your eggcup did the business.

fazersharp · « **Reply #20 on:** 07 September 2016, 04:50:41 pm »

Quote from: wickedmonkey on 07 September 2016, 04:41:07 pm

Mine sometimes does the same accelerating hard uphill. Oil level at the max mark when on the centre stand on level ground.

Would like to know if your eggcup did the business.

Put your own eggcup full in and see

wickedmonkey · « **Reply #21 on:** 07 September 2016, 05:44:01 pm »

Quote from: fazersharp on 07 September 2016, 04:50:41 pm

Quote from: wickedmonkey on 07 September 2016, 04:41:07 pm
Mine sometimes does the same accelerating hard uphill. Oil level at the max mark when on the centre stand on level ground.

Would like to know if your eggcup did the business.
Put your own eggcup full in and see

I'd rather someone else went first and reported back in one piece...

fazersharp · « **Reply #22 on:** 07 September 2016, 06:15:21 pm »

Quote from: wickedmonkey on 07 September 2016, 05:44:01 pm

Quote from: fazersharp on 07 September 2016, 04:50:41 pm
Quote from: wickedmonkey on 07 September 2016, 04:41:07 pm
Mine sometimes does the same accelerating hard uphill. Oil level at the max mark when on the centre stand on level ground.

Would like to know if your eggcup did the business.
Put your own eggcup full in and see

I'd rather someone else went first and reported back in one piece...

That would be me, I had the problem - level was correct - put ABOUT an eggcup full in extra and that sorted it.

Why and egg cup ? -- well I wanted to only add a little at at time until the light started to behave itself, it so happens that my first little extra pour in of oil did the trick, it was such a small amount that it was about the same amount as an eggcup full, Henceforth eggcupgate