The Oil Light suddenly came on, ‘99 EV…! ..Fhew... Photo added.

[radguzzi]

With the high winds and rain last night I figured the roads would be covered with a layer or two of wet, slippery leaves, good idea to ride the EV Hack to work and not two wheels.  No problem.

Rained like crazy and I made it to work safe and sound.

Heading home, skies cleared up, sun came out.. Nice, let’s ride.

About a mile down the road the oil light popped on….! ! !

I pulled over, shut the engine down, coasted down the hill that I had just crested and called the rescue wagon (my Wife) for a lift home.  While I waited for the truck and trailer to arrive I checked the oil, no issue there…

Hoping beyond all hope that the filter had backed off, I drained the oil and dropped the pan as soon as I got home, no such luck, the filter was snug.

There is a bit of small bits in the pan, not shiny, more like carbon and it is crumbly, not magnetic.  Weird.

I left the pan to soak in the cleaning tank for the night and I’ll dry it and blow it out, clean the screen, add a new filter and oil it up tomorrow.

Question #1 - Should I pop the relief valve open to check on it or no…?

Question #2 - Could the morning rain have been a factor on the oil sending unit and caused a weird short, even later than when the rain had been coming down…?

This is just making me sick thinking that I may have some real damage to the engine.

When I fill the engine with oil and touch it off I will know a immediately whether I still have a problem or not.

Wish me luck,

Rob

[motrhead]

Good luck! I still haven't dropped the pan on my 03 LeMans to check the filter...been busy working and riding the Stelvio. The gauge says I don't have pressure. (For anyone trying to test, the oil sender threads on mine were 12x1.5mm and I was able to make an adapter to pipe thread for a hose and gauge... and got zero pressure.)

[Kiwi_Roy]

It's likely just the switch tracking across with the wet weather, my V11 Sport does it all the time. To be sure pull one of the lines going to the rocker gear on one head then see if oil pours out when you crank it over.
The Guzzi oil pressure switches are crap, not one of my four works consistently.
Chances are it's perfectly fine.

You can also add a pressure gauge to the line as a permanent fix, I just did that with my Eldo.

[Triple Jim]

Just for reference, if an engine has been run with oil in it and all the bearings are oily, idling it with no oil pressure for a minute or two won't hurt it at all.

[Scud]

For short-term peace of mind, I'd remove the pressure sender, attach a mechanical oil pressure gauge and start it up.

Long-term, a permanent gauge is nice. I got one from Speedhut to match my other gauges, but it's an electrical gauge and it was kind of pricey. If I were to do it again, I'd use a mechanical gauge, even if it didn't match my other gauges.

[jacksonracingcomau]

Relief valve least likely IMHO but easy to test if you have air, take it out complete, regulate pressure with blow gun, about 60psi will be obvious when it blows.
For zero pressure (light come on sub 5psi) it would blow straight away, can only do this if come undone in my experience,

Electric sender switch far more likely, harder to test without putting it in another bike

I'd have pulled it or rocker feed first, see what comes out when starter spins.

Much better switches from auto shop, are generic, think ones I get are Volvo part, exact same thread & hex but use a spade connector

[Aaron D.]

I would bet $$ it is the sender, had it happen on rare occasions when the bike was washed with a hose, and it rained really hard that day!

[radguzzi]

I would bet $$ it is the sender, had it happen on rare occasions when the bike was washed with a hose, and it rained really hard that day!

I am hoping for that...  The light coming on scared the crap out of me.   Time for an oil change anyway but geez...

Yes, the rain was hopefully the culprit here on the sending unit.

Thanks,
Rob

It's likely just the switch tracking across with the wet weather, my V11 Sport does it all the time. To be sure pull one of the lines going to the rocker gear on one head then see if oil pours out when you crank it over.

If I pull the rocker feed line to witness oil coming out while cranking, wouldn't the kill switch need to be in the "Run" position...?   If yes then I guess I could just capture the flow when it happens. 

This is also a bit more difficult to reach on an 1100 engine than a roundfin with a banjo bolt but I'll give it a try.

Thanks,
Rob

[SDC]

My 98 had the oil light come on after being washed once. After drying out it was back to normal.

[Wayne Orwig]

I am hoping for that...  The light coming on scared the crap out of me.   Time for an oil change anyway but geez...

Yes, the rain was hopefully the culprit here on the sending unit.

If I pull the rocker feed line to witness oil coming out while cranking, wouldn't the kill switch need to be in the "Run" position...?   If yes then I guess I could just capture the flow when it happens. 

This is also a bit more difficult to reach on an 1100 engine than a roundfin with a banjo bolt but I'll give it a try.

Yes, the oil pressure switch getting wet is high on the list of likely reasons.
Order one of these to protect it in the future. They are cheap. Get two. http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_209&products_id=315

You can take out the oil pressure sensor to do a quick check for oil flow. Or take off the valve cover and check for oil to appear around the rocker. (messy)

BTW, the stuff you found in the oil is likely crap from the frame tube and vent line that tends to get into the sump. Sort of rusty little chunks.

[normzone]

You can see it when your light(s) come on ?

[Lannis]

Yes, the rain was hopefully the culprit here on the sending unit.

Thanks,
Rob

Same thing happened to me on my SP in the pouring rain on WV 7 ... oil light flickered on and then burned bright.    I stopped and checked the oil and it was OK, and luckily I was about 3 miles from Hundred, WV so idled to there, dripped about a gallon of water walking through the Family Dollar store to buy a can of WD40, hosed down the switch and connections, and Eh Voila!   no more problem ....

Lannis

[radguzzi]

You can see it when your light(s) come on ?

 

Fortunately, yes...

Oil and filter changed, no more light after start up.  Wow.

And just in case you were wondering, this is how you lift the Hack.   








Hey Norm, cancel your directional please...!   

[lucky phil]

Spare me, you've been riding in the pissing rain and the LOP light comes on. Check the filters tight and replace the $12 LOP switch.
Worry about serious issues when you have eliminated the obvious and simple explaination.
Ciao

[radguzzi]

Okay then... 

[Arizona Wayne]

Had that happen once on my CX/Velorex hack while no rain and going slow in stop & go.  Freaked out and pulled over immediately and shut it down hundreds of miles from home!   Checked the dip stick(good), let it sit for  awhile, started it up and proceed on.  Never had any issue afterwards all the way 600 miles home 2 up &  loaded, other than a throttle cable breaking and replacing that.     Some times things happen that can't be explained.

[radguzzi]

BTW, the stuff you found in the oil is likely crap from the frame tube and vent line that tends to get into the sump. Sort of rusty little chunks.

Ahh, good to know, that has been bugging me.  This appeared to be carbon and that alone worried me even more.  I like your explanation much better. 

Thanks,
Rob

 Some times things happen that can't be explained.
 

Copy that, it did give me a scare though... 

Thank,
Rob