loss oil pressure

Hi,

I am new to Harley's I have recently got myself a 1990 Electo glide ultra.
I changed the oil and filter last night before going for a run today. after just 4 miles I lost oil pressure, where it has always been fine before. Have I missed something here, is the something I should have done after the oil change. I used the recommended oil from my local dealer.

Any help please.

[girlyglide]

As the bike was fine before changing the oil and filter I would suspect that the problem has been caused by the last thing changed.

Have you fitted a finer oil filter? A 10 micro filter for example?

Evos use the 30 micron filter and fitting the wrong one can cause a problem.

Stupid things to check include:-

Has the oil tank still got oil in it? The drain plug could have vibrated free for example.

If the tank still has oil then check for pinched oil pipes from the tank to the pump and filter housing etc.

As a matter of interest did the bike sieze? How are you determining that you have lost all oil pressure? Don't rely on the gauge; it could even be that.

Thanks for the prompt reply,

I used the recommended filter from the main dealer, and I did all the usual checks. I can not find anything wrong at the moment.
The engine was running fine even with the oil pressure light on and gauge reading zero. I have not taken the pump apart yet I don't want to it will be a last resort.
I am now thinking oil pressure transducer. Does this power the gauge as well as the warning light?

[girlyglide]

Originally Posted by emlotte

Thanks for the prompt reply,

I used the recommended filter from the main dealer, and I did all the usual checks. I can not find anything wrong at the moment.
The engine was running fine even with the oil pressure light on and gauge reading zero. I have not taken the pump apart yet I don't want to it will be a last resort.
I am now thinking oil pressure transducer. Does this power the gauge as well as the warning light?

Check the part number on the box the filter came in. If it's orig H-D and ends -99A it's the wrong one. Most parts counter staff in UK H-D authorised dealers don't even know that there were Evos let alone know what the correct filter is for one.

OK, no oil pressure reading on the gauge and oil warning light on - you have a problem.

[Phil]

With no oil pressure, the first thing you will notice will be rattling lifters or tappets as they rely on oil pressure.
First thing to do is beg, steal or borrow a regular manual pressure gauge & hook it up to the outlet above the pump. Then you can tell if there is indeed any oil pressure.
Another thing you can do is take off the oil tank cap. If everything is working ok, you will be able to see the oil circulating.

I have checked everything I can quickly check and all looks alright. There was no loss of oil and the engine sounded as it always does (what you can hear over the exhaust). The oil filter I changed ends with 80A. I have just got a second one front the dealer and some more oil.

I will look at the oil circulating when I try to start it once I put it back together.

Does anyone know if the oil pressure transmitter works on a voltage range and what it is? I assume that the gauge and warning work off the same transducer (hope more than assume). the only other check is the hoses themselves but why would they block all of a sudden?

Any more help gratefully received.

Regards
Simon

[dodgyloner]

If youve still got the old filter and its not mangled pop it back on and see if you oil pressure is restored.

Suspect -as others do - that you may have been given the wrong filter but never heard of it cutting oil pressure right to nil.

Is it possible youve removed or disturbed the wire to the oil pressure sender unit? Or crimped one of the feed lines whilst doing the service?

Karl

Thanks,

does any one know where I can get a manual oil gauge from? Last resort before taking the pump case off!

Simon

[kiwidave]

if you can't hear tappet rattle, the engine oil is visibly circulating in the tank in torchlight (and it gets warm as the engine does)......i am at a loss also.
Your caution is commendable though.

The Evo oil pump is notoriously excellent. Failure is rare unless it has been messed with. Take the filter off and see if the pump is throwing oil back to the filter housing. It should steadily spurt on to the garage floor.

I assume that the gauge and warning work off the same transducer (hope more than assume).

That does seem to be a lateral explanation. I don't know how such gauges are wired.

the only other check is the hoses themselves but why would they block all of a sudden?

How could that happen?

Again thank you,

I can see a black sticky weekend coming up and not in the good way.

I am currently trying to find a replacement oil pressure sender. 2 wires not what appears to be a single in most catalogues. Any suggestions were I could get one from without paying the £60 HD dealer quoted.
I may try and test it with air pressure and assume a mAmp change!!!

I need my bike back as it is the only thing to put a smile on my face on the way to work.
Simon.