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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: David 54 on July 31, 2016, 08:16:45 AM

Title: '83 Spada Oil light
Post by: David 54 on July 31, 2016, 08:16:45 AM
The oil light has just come on my Spada. Checked oil, it's on max, oil was changed only 2,000 miles ago. Could it be filter blocked (unlikely?) or elec fault?
The bike is running perfectly.
Title: Re: '83 Spada Oil light
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on July 31, 2016, 08:40:01 AM
Most likely the sender unit/oil pressure switch. Or the filter came loose - do you use a hose clamp on the filter?
Title: Re: '83 Spada Oil light
Post by: David 54 on July 31, 2016, 09:26:03 AM
Never had it apart, had it looked over by a Guzzi specialist (www.dimarino.co.uk) when I bought it in January for peace of mind
Thank you for your advice👍🏻
Title: Re: '83 Spada Oil light
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on July 31, 2016, 10:43:11 AM
Find out for sure before riding it again, but it's just a simple pressure switch that's known to fail.
Title: Re: '83 Spada Oil light
Post by: Tom on July 31, 2016, 03:05:21 PM
 :1: on the pressure sending unit.
Title: Re: '83 Spada Oil light
Post by: rodekyll on July 31, 2016, 03:33:42 PM
 :1:
on sorting it out before you run it again.

If the switch is gone consider replacing it with a gauge.  They call the oem setup an "idiot light" for a reason.


BTW -- What is the minimum operating oil pressure on a big block?
Title: Re: '83 Spada Oil light
Post by: John A on July 31, 2016, 03:41:35 PM
should be called "replace main bearings light" :sad:
Title: Re: '83 Spada Oil light
Post by: Kiwi_Roy on August 02, 2016, 12:28:36 AM
A simple way of verifying you have oil pressure is open one of the lines going to the valve gear, if it gushes out there it's ok.
If the line has a banjo it's an easy place to add a gauge, just a longer hollow bolt and another banjo.
(http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s526/Kiwi_Roy/72%20Eldo/photo-19_zpsmxevbknq.jpg)
Please excuse my home made fitting.
Title: Re: '83 Spada Oil light
Post by: pehayes on August 02, 2016, 09:47:08 AM
While it is most likely the sending unit (did you just happen to wash the bike recently or ride it in heavy rain), it is good/cheap/easy insurance to inspect your internal oil filter and add a hose clamp for security.  I have found loose filters.  It will look like this:

(http://image.wikifoundry.com/image/1/lhH7BtRPXNAeLbcpSpl_tA34815/GW445H336)

or this:

(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j221/greguzzi/PICT0004-4.jpg)

or this:

(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4LV3AQJIBeI/SDChiVML2VI/AAAAAAAAAN8/Az-3MKLY5b0/s400/IMG_1149.JPG)

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA
Title: Re: '83 Spada Oil light
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on August 02, 2016, 10:03:15 AM
Harbor Freight sells an inexpensive oil pressure test kit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/engine-oil-pressure-test-kit-98949.html
Title: Re: '83 Spada Oil light
Post by: Howard R on August 02, 2016, 10:25:48 AM
BTW -- What is the minimum operating oil pressure on a big block?

The shop manual for a '96 Sport 1100 says to test the oil pressure sender at 0.15 to 0.35 bar.  That translates to 2-5 psi so anything above that will put out the dash light.  I think the same part # is pretty much ubiquitous for all the pre-Breva big blocks.  As John A says, if you see the light while running down the road, it's true meaning is "pull over now and replace conrod big end bearings" at the very least. :evil:
Title: Re: '83 Spada Oil light
Post by: David 54 on August 02, 2016, 12:37:18 PM
Thanks to you all for your help, it is the switch. Had a chat with Pietro (dimarino.co.uk) he said it would be the switch (I've ordered one) I undid the oil feed to the head, started engine, lot of oil👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 so worries over
Title: Re: '83 Spada Oil light
Post by: Tom on August 02, 2016, 01:06:18 PM
Problem solved.  :thumb: