Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Oil Light

[Road Runner]

Advice needed
After a good 100 mile run on Sunday I noticed the oil light flickering on on tick over, as you rev the bike it goes out Never happened before. Checked the oil level as soon as I got home and its fine.

[JPM]

Oil pressure switch about to give up the ghost..

[Shazaam!]

As a first step, you should carefully straighten any oil cooler radiator fins that are bent from road debris so you get the maximum cooling from the unit. After you straighten them, attach some protective screening to the backside of the V-piece to prevent future damage.

If you don’t see any improvement, it would be unwise to just continue to ride it knowing that the oil pressure is actually marginally low. The expensive consequences include failed bearings and engine seizures. There’s also an outside chance that the pressure sending unit is out of calibration. Hook up a pressure gauge to where the sender mounts. Evoluzione sells an inexpensive one.

http://www.evoluzione.net/

I would first check to make sure that the oil pump clearances are not out of spec, and that the driven gear oil seal is OK. Your service manual will give you the details.

The oil pressure should be as follows on superbikes:

cold idle - at least 2.5 bar
hot idle - at least 1.1 bar
3,500 - 4,000 rpm - 4-6 bar

[Walenut]

Could be the crank plug about to drop out

[Clippy]

You could take the comprehensive Shazzam approach...but before you do I'd not run the engine again, buy a new oil pressure switch for a tenner, fit it and start the engine.

If it still does it you've only run the engine for a few seconds and you can now investigate more serious problems - if it's fixed then it's cost you the tenner you'd have ended up paying anyway after all the investigation...

Worked 12 times in 13,500 miles for me when I had a 748!!!

Giles

[Road Runner]

Thanks guys I will change the oil and fillter at the week end and try and get a new pressure switch.

Phoned Snells today to book a service but they can't do it untill May ??
so will look else where any recommendations in the Surrey / Hants area.

[Scotty Monster]

12 oil pressure sensors in 13500 miles you are jokeing ?

[Old Yella]

Same happened on the 996.
Next symptom before I got home was oil on the crankcase below the switch.
New switch, sorted.
If the new switch domt work then go the Shazaam route.

RR .. call Wilf at MotoRapido and tell him you are DSC, they like us ...

[Tjay]

Classic signs Road runner!
I have had exactly the same symptons.Once the oil gets hot the oil pressure light "glows". Once you rev the the bike it goes out. An oil pressure switch will cost you about £20 ( I know I bought one last week!) If your switch has gone,once you take the right hand fairing off, you will probably see a lot of oil on the engine casings. Depending on what year/model you have will depend on whether you need a washer or not. (late ones did). Dont rely on the Haynes manual because it says they all need a washer!
Dont forget, only "nip" it tight if its a ally casing!!!
If you need any extra help, u2u me.

Good luck,its easy.