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

[chris_of_1979]

Oh dear,
Oil pressure light was flickering on and off seemingly at random, so I though I'd down the logical route and change the pressure switch encase it was faulty.
Just done that and taken it out for a quick test-ride, and the light is still coming on.

- a bit worried now about what this might lead to.
Got it booked in over at Baines later today anyway for some servicing, but am wondering if whatever is causing this is gonna massively hike-up my bill.

Any idea's?

[Shazaam!]

You've eliminated the most usual cause, a faulty pressure switch. The other usual suspects are that the oil pump tolerances are out of spec, a bad drive gear oil seal, or that the oil galley plug is backing out (any aluminum particles on the oil screen?)

Under the circumstances, it would be unwise to just continue to ride it without knowing whether the oil pressure is actually low or not. The consequences include failed bearings and engine seizures.

Hook up a pressure gauge to where the sender mounts. Evoluzione sells an inexpensive one.

[chris_of_1979]

Well it's in for the service now. Geoff at Baines has promised to look after it and will do his best not to break my bank account.

Just waiting for the call next week to let me know what the damage is.

[chris_of_1979]

oh dear..........

- how on earth did I not notice that there was LESS than 0.5L of oil left in the entire engine!!!!!!!!!!!

Can anyone guess the damage?

[baylissboy]

Originally posted by chris_of_1979
oh dear..........

- how on earth did I not notice that there was LESS than 0.5L of oil left in the entire engine!!!!!!!!!!!

Can anyone guess the damage?

It's only a guess,but i would say MASSIVE damage!! The lack of oil would mean that the oil pump would be picking up "air" & as the main bearings,valve gear & any other metal to metal parts require an oil film to protect them,they would all show signs of damage/wear!! I'm not taking the p155,but don't spend too much this Christmas,you'll be needing every penny to sort this one!!

[rockhopper]

Main bearings are roller brearings i think which are quite tollerant of low oil levels. Big ends are plain bearings which most certainly are not! Some parts are also splash lubricated which requires at least some oil to be there so it can splash around! As a cheap option I'd be tempted to have the oil filter analysed for metal particles to see if anything has picked up. If you find anything then i'd be looking at another engine i think.

[chris_of_1979]

Geoff has basically told me the same as you guys.

It's all obviously dependant on how long it has been that low. There is even a VERY REMOTE chance that it could generally be ok, but the likely hood is otherwise. The only certainty is that I certainly haven't extended the engine's life.

Given the cost of a full rebuild, I'm having him seal up all leaks and sort all the other problems - refill the oil and do all the other servicing for now.
Oil will then be changed an checked in another 500 miles to see if anything shows up.

The bike will generally be used as little as possible until March/April time now, when I can afford the rebuild.

Have to say though - the service that Geoff has been providing is top notch - and I trust him completely in doing his best to make everything cost effective and do what he can on a budget for me.

[rockhopper]

If you go to WH Smiths and buy one of the pilot type mags you will find companies advertising who will cut open your oil filter and analyse the contents and then write a report for you. If the engine is damaged enough to be a problem there will certainly be evidence of it in the filter.