A couple months ago on my way back to London from Ireland my oil warning light came on for a split second when I changed gear at high RPM, this was no bother as I just pulled over, noticed my Oil level was a little lower than normal and topped it up. As soon as I got back to London I did an Oil and filter change, a few days later I was then changing gear again and the light came on for another split second (good thing my eyes keep catching it :lol ). I checked the oil level later that day and noticed I didn't put as much oil as allowed in when I did the change, Oil was about a quarter way up the glass so I topped it up with a little dash of the same oil from the change.
Tonight I was riding home from the Bike Shed and there was a moment where I gave it a few decent high revs (7-9K RPM) in 2nd gear and the light came on again for another tiny second but as soon as I ease off the throttle it went off, I spent the rest of the journey home trying to get the light to come on again to work out what is happening but I couldn't do it, which has left me confused.
Why does the Oil light occasionally just come on for a split second when either changing gears at high RPM or riding in high RPM's?
The oil warning light is an oil level sensor, not an oil pressure sensor. When you give it some...... the oil in the sump is sloshing to the back and away from the sensor. Top it up a little more so the glass has oil almost to the top. Should stop coming on then. Either that, or stop doing wheelies
(07-06-17, 10:32 PM)mtread link Wrote: The oil warning light is an oil level sensor, not an oil pressure sensor. When you give it some...... the oil in the sump is sloshing to the back and away from the sensor. Top it up a little more so the glass has oil almost to the top. Should stop coming on then. Either that, or stop doing wheelies
Ah I was thinking maybe there is just a split second where the oil goes below the senor and so it triggers the light, will top it up again and see if it stops it.
(07-06-17, 10:41 PM)fazersharp link Wrote: [quote author=Grant1Shepherd link=topic=22716.msg262157#msg262157 date=1496870550]
I topped it up with a little dash of the same oil from the change.
Would you say that was about an egg cup full
[/quote]
08-06-17, 06:07 AM (This post was last modified: 08-06-17, 10:04 AM by darrsi.)
Put bike on centre stand on level ground
Start engine and let tickover for one minute
Turn ignition off
Watch the oil window until it settles, which will probably take about a minute
That's your oil level
Next to the oil window there are lower and upper markings on the engine casing, you want the oil level about two thirds to three quarters of the way up between the markers
Once the oil level settles, if you need to add more, do a SMALL AMOUNT at a time, then REPEAT THE ABOVE PROCESS.
Don't start pouring it in for fun, 'cos you don't want too much in there either, as that can cause other problems.
Chances are that right now you simply haven't got enough in there, i'm guessing due to you judging the oil level with a cold unstarted engine.
The window on my bike has clouded up now, so i have to fill it up by measurement alone.
Once emptied and a new filter fitted i've put in about 2.8 litres to be safe.
If you aren't changing the oil filter this time around then it's a 2.5 litre sump, so that's a good figure to start with, you can simply pour that amount in knowing you safely have enough to begin with, then top up if needed after going through the usual procedure.
Luckily i never ever have to top up between changes, and i change the oil every 4000 miles so it's not too much of a big deal, although i've decided to replace the oil filter every time now as the filters are so inexpensive.
More people are born because of alcohol than will ever die from it.
08-06-17, 06:10 AM (This post was last modified: 08-06-17, 06:12 AM by darrsi.)
(07-06-17, 10:41 PM)fazersharp link Wrote: [quote author=Grant1Shepherd link=topic=22716.msg262157#msg262157 date=1496870550]
I topped it up with a little dash of the same oil from the change.
Would you say that was about an egg cup full
[/quote]
Need to be more specific matey :pokefun :lol
Up to 210ml in volume apparently
More people are born because of alcohol than will ever die from it.
(08-06-17, 06:07 AM)darrsi link Wrote: Put bike on centre stand on level ground
Start engine and let tickover for one minute
Turn ignition off
Watch the oil window until it settles, which will probably take about a minute
That's your oil level
Next to the oil window there are lower and upper markings on the engine casing, you want the oil level about two thirds to three quarters of the way up between the markers
Once the oil level settles, if you need to add more, do a SMALL AMOUNT at a time, then REPEAT THE ABOVE PROCESS.
Don't start pouring it in for fun, 'cos you don't want too much in there either, as that can cause other problems.
Chances are that right now you simply haven't got enough in there, i'm guessing due to you judging the oil level with a cold unstarted engine.
The window on my bike has clouded up now, so i have to fill it up by measurement alone.
Once emptied and a new filter fitted i've put in about 2.8 litres to be safe.
If you aren't changing the oil filter this time around then it's a 2.5 litre sump, so that's a good figure to start with, you can simply pour that amount in knowing you safely have enough to begin with, then top up if needed after going through the usual procedure.
Luckily i never ever have to top up between changes, and i change the oil every 4000 miles so it's not too much of a big deal, although i've decided to replace the oil filter every time now as the filters are so inexpensive.
When I checked it yesterday after the light came on I got home from my 45 minute ride, turned the bike off, waited 5 minutes and then check the oil level and it was fine. I got confused by this as I can't understand why the light would come of for a split second
(08-06-17, 06:10 AM)darrsi link Wrote: [quote author=fazersharp link=topic=22716.msg262159#msg262159 date=1496871684]
[quote author=Grant1Shepherd link=topic=22716.msg262157#msg262157 date=1496870550]
I topped it up with a little dash of the same oil from the change.
Would you say that was about an egg cup full
[/quote]
Need to be more specific matey :pokefun :lol
Up to 210ml in volume apparently
[/quote]
(08-06-17, 10:08 PM)Grant1Shepherd link Wrote: [quote author=darrsi link=topic=22716.msg262166#msg262166 date=1496898433]
Put bike on centre stand on level ground
Start engine and let tickover for one minute
Turn ignition off
Watch the oil window until it settles, which will probably take about a minute
That's your oil level
Next to the oil window there are lower and upper markings on the engine casing, you want the oil level about two thirds to three quarters of the way up between the markers
Once the oil level settles, if you need to add more, do a SMALL AMOUNT at a time, then REPEAT THE ABOVE PROCESS.
Don't start pouring it in for fun, 'cos you don't want too much in there either, as that can cause other problems.
Chances are that right now you simply haven't got enough in there, i'm guessing due to you judging the oil level with a cold unstarted engine.
The window on my bike has clouded up now, so i have to fill it up by measurement alone.
Once emptied and a new filter fitted i've put in about 2.8 litres to be safe.
If you aren't changing the oil filter this time around then it's a 2.5 litre sump, so that's a good figure to start with, you can simply pour that amount in knowing you safely have enough to begin with, then top up if needed after going through the usual procedure.
Luckily i never ever have to top up between changes, and i change the oil every 4000 miles so it's not too much of a big deal, although i've decided to replace the oil filter every time now as the filters are so inexpensive.
When I checked it yesterday after the light came on I got home from my 45 minute ride, turned the bike off, waited 5 minutes and then check the oil level and it was fine. I got confused by this as I can't understand why the light would come of for a split second
[/quote]
But i didn't say 5 minutes, i said 1 minute, while there's oil still covering the engine parts!
More people are born because of alcohol than will ever die from it.
If it's only comes on for a split second it's nothing to worry about especially if it's while accelerating. If it stays on at a steady speed then there's a problem to get worried about
It looks more like a frayed wire in the circuit earthing than oil level issue
I would check the wiring from the level switch to the plug under the side cover
(09-06-17, 02:58 PM)unfazed link Wrote: It looks more like a frayed wire in the circuit earthing than oil level issue
I would check the wiring from the level switch to the plug under the side cover
Happens at high revs, and his oil was noticeably low.
My money's still on the level.
More people are born because of alcohol than will ever die from it.
Right so recently I have decided to just do nothing about the issue, I've checked the oil thats about it but it seemed fine so didnt bother topping it up.
I then decided to go to Worcester from London and visit a few old friends thinking a fairly long trip blasting it down the M40/M42 would make the light come on again as i wasn't hanging about ??.
Throughout the whole journey nothing happened, no light no nothing, this just shows how temperamental this issue has been. Sometimes I'm riding fairly quickly and the light just pops on for literally 1 second, but yet i can go nealy 200 miles on motorways doing motorway speeds (definitely motorway speeds??) and not have the light come on once.
Ok so today I've been riding around Worcestershire and I've noticed the light only comes on when I'm accelerating hard in 2nd just after the gear change from 1st.
Currently I'm pulled over at the side of the road as we speak as it has just done it 3 times in a row from accelerating off ref lights and I don't want it to blow up.
I've got some oil with me so I'm going to give her some and hope it makes her happier ?
(08-06-17, 06:10 AM)darrsi link Wrote: [quote author=fazersharp link=topic=22716.msg262159#msg262159 date=1496871684]
[quote author=Grant1Shepherd link=topic=22716.msg262157#msg262157 date=1496870550]
I topped it up with a little dash of the same oil from the change.
Would you say that was about an egg cup full
[/quote]
Need to be more specific matey :pokefun :lol
Up to 210ml in volume apparently
[/quote]
The egg also has to be strong to survive a fair drop to the ground.
I'm not sure how high up from the ground an Ostriches arsehole actually is. :lol
Also if the oil level sensor is just that, a level sensor and not a pressure switch and the oil level is correct there is not problem, as someone quite rightly pointed out the oil is rushing to the rear of the engine under hard acceleration, if this is the case just the viscosity of the oil would make a huge difference as well. Now I am no mechanic but I think the advice being given is sound, as long as the level is correct within the 'Max' and 'Min' marks with both wheels on level ground, should be good to go, I keep mine at about 3/4's up the sight glass. As Darrsi said over filling could bring another set of problems like blown or leaking engine seals.
(15-06-17, 07:24 PM)tommyardin link Wrote: Also if the oil level sensor is just that, a level sensor and not a pressure switch and the oil level is correct there is not problem, as someone quite rightly pointed out the oil is rushing to the rear of the engine under hard acceleration, if this is the case just the viscosity of the oil would make a huge difference as well. Now I am no mechanic but I think the advice being given is sound, as long as the level is correct within the 'Max' and 'Min' marks with both wheels on level ground, should be good to go, I keep mine at about 3/4's up the sight glass. As Darrsi said over filling could bring another set of problems like blown or leaking engine seals.
Thanks Tommy
And thank you to everyone else who has offered some pretty solid advice.
Since topping her up yesterday i didnt get the problem today, will look to see what happenens but may end up just changing the sensor and seeing if that works.
