Why does my Stelvio keep giving an oil warning?

[Viker]

The red light on the dash lights up, the LCD screen shows an oil can symbol. But the oil level is right where it should be, I�m pretty sure.

The first oil warning came as I arrived at work, descending a steep driveway after a 25 min ride. And the second warning was at the end of a 20 min ride, while ascending a driveway.

I checked the oil and sure enough, it was low. Oil seemed to have been leaking around the oil filler plug which holds the dipstick. It took almost a litre (just under a quart) to bring it up to level (two thirds up the narrow part of the dipstick). And I tightened the oil filler plug.

So far so good, right?

But the next day it happened again as I arrived at work. The oil warning came on while making a slow, tight, 120� left-hander in the carpark. Then off again after the bike levelled out. Then on, off, on, off. Then on again for the steep driveway.

So far not so good.

I checked the oil level again and it still seems fine.

Is there something else that might be triggering the oil warning on the dash?
Or am I measuring it wrong? I ride for 20 min, then level the bike on the centre stand, clean the dipstick and reinsert it as far as the first orange o-ring. Optimal level is 2/3 - 3/4 of the way up the thinner part of the dipstick, right?

What am I doing wrong? What am I missing?

[twhitaker]

It's an oil PRESSURE warning light. Once the oil pressure drops below a certain point (like idle) the light will come on. On the other hand your idle speed might be too low.

[Gliderjohn]

Are you running the recommended 10-60 oil? If not that may be the cause, especially as the weather gets warmer.
GliderJohn

[sbaker]

Hello;
Mine does this same, it has since new, Oil is UP! .. 10-60 .. It comes on when coming off high rev. If I blip the throttle, it goes away and doesn't come back..

[toma nova]

Similar issue here.

Mine comes on every time I start the bike, no matter hot or cold or how long it has been sitting. Warning light only stays on for 2-3 seconds then off until the next start up.  Started before the last oil change, oil level is perfect at halfway up the dipstick.  Mobil1 20W50.

I'm thinking it's a loose oil pressure sensor connector. There's a post here and on GT about the stock pin connector and how to change it to a more robust spade connector, possibly with an updated sensor.

Can someone point me to the location of the sensor so I can check the connection?

Thanks,
Tom

[Wayne Orwig]

I would track it down ASAP though. You may have a damaged pump and be running low pressure all of the time. Or it may just be a whacked out switch.

Mine comes on every time I start the bike, no matter hot or cold or how long it has been sitting. Warning light only stays on for 2-3 seconds then off until the next start up.  Started before the last oil change, oil level is perfect at halfway up the dipstick.  Mobil1 20W50.

What error code do you get on the dash?

[rodekyll]

I'd proceed from the assumption that the light is right until proven otherwise.  I'd get a pressure gauge on it and get the what's-up.  Or like someone said in another topic -- you can speculate for weeks . .. [while perhaps it proves it's right . . .  .]  Oil pressure isn't like the rev limiter.  You really do need to know.

[ITSec]

Mine comes on every time I start the bike, no matter hot or cold or how long it has been sitting. Warning light only stays on for 2-3 seconds then off until the next start up.  Started before the last oil change, oil level is perfect at halfway up the dipstick.  Mobil1 20W50.

I'm thinking it's a loose oil pressure sensor connector. There's a post here and on GT about the stock pin connector and how to change it to a more robust spade connector, possibly with an updated sensor.

Back when the 10w60 was introduced in Guzzis, a lot of people reported oil sensor misreads. A lot of them were running oil other than 10w60. I don't want to has out (again) the relative merits of oils, but I would suggest you try 10w60 in the flavor of your choice at the next oil change, and see whether this problem still occurs.

A sensor problem is sometimes characterized by occasional low oil pressure readings, but more often by red triangle and dashboard errors, which happen because the sensor either reads pressure when there is none (key on, but motor not running) or inaccurate readings while running (such as sudden and erratic changes in reported pressure, usually at lower rpm).  Red triangle on start, without showing an oil can symbol, is generally a sign of the sensor being suspect.

As for the location of the sensor and connection, that can be problematic (I was the one who offered the alternative connectors). The sensor is located inboard of the left cylinder, more or less underneath the alternator. If your bike uses the original design sensor with the nail-head connector, changing the connector has resolved many of these problems (no one has reported them again after changing the terminal connector on the wire). If you obtain one of the new generation sensors, then you have to change to a spade (female) in any case, unless your bike is recent build date and has it already.

[Viker]

Thanks everyone.

10w60? Yep.

Error code? None that I've seen, just the red LED and the oil can icon. I'll stop and check the LCD for codes if/when it happens again.

My bike is a 2014. Does anyone know when the sensor design was changed?

Thanks, Viker

[Wayne Orwig]

Error code? None that I've seen, just the red LED and the oil can icon. I'll stop and check the LCD for codes if/when it happens again.

It should have the error code in memory if you look for it.

[leafman60]

If I recall correctly, there is a question about dipstick accuracy. If you pour in anything near the stated capacity of oil, in some cases, it may read high on the dipstick.

Mine stays just above the narrow part of the stick. Never had a warning come on.  Never had any blow by on sustained high speed running.

[Mark111]

Could be just a dud oil pressure switch, not uncommon.
But to be safe you should get the oil pressure checked especially if it is an older engine and has had wear from the flat tappets which could have caused abnormal wear to the oil pump.
Even if you had to add a litre of oil there should have been enough in the engine so that the oil pressure light would not come on.

[toma nova]

 Red triangle on start, without showing an oil can symbol, is generally a sign of the sensor being suspect.

Mine's a 2014 so no flat tappet wear and theoretically the newest sensor design.  No error codes in the dash or in memory, just the red triangle and oil can with "SERVICE".  I'll take a look at the sensor to rule out the connector and look more closely at the oil level.

Thanks.

[Viker]

The dashboard error code is DSB 08: oil pressure fault, not DSB 07: oil sensor fault.

The bike is 2014, purchased new in June 2015, 11,500 km on the odo.

Maybe I should add a couple hundred mm of oil each day until the warning stops appearing.

[pete roper]

Or just replace the sensor which costs a few bucks and see if the problem goes away. If it doesn't? Delve deeper.

[kirb]

Or just replace the sensor which costs a few bucks and see if the problem goes away. If it doesn't? Delve deeper.

...and there it is. The proper way to troubleshoot this problem (it does require taking off the red suspenders for a day)

[Wayne Orwig]

The dashboard error code is DSB 08: oil pressure fault, not DSB 07: oil sensor fault.

The bike is 2014, purchased new in June 2015, 11,500 km on the odo.

Maybe I should add a couple hundred mm of oil each day until the warning stops appearing.

It isn't that sensitive to oil level.
Start by installing a new sensor like Pete suggests.

[pauldaytona]

be prepared for the oilswitch hassle, they don't supply the same that it has anymore.

[Viker]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions.

The cause was, as folks had said, a dodgy sensor.

The culprit was replaced under warranty.

[tris]

For clarity what is the difference between a 07 error and 08 error and do they come from the same sensor?

Cheers

[Viker]

Or just replace the sensor which costs a few bucks and see if the problem goes away. If it doesn't? Delve deeper.

Eventually, the oil pressure warning came back, so I had the sensor replaced again under warranty.

Then it immediately came back again, and they replaced it again.

And I'm still getting the warning. There's obviously some deeper cause.

Oil level is showing about 2/3 of the way up the notch wench the dipstick rests on the o-ring.
Which is about 1cm above the notch when the dipstick is fully seated.

What should I look at next?

[rocker59]

Eventually, the oil pressure warning came back, so I had the sensor replaced again under warranty.

Then it immediately came back again, and they replaced it again.

And I'm still getting the warning. There's obviously some deeper cause.

Oil level is showing about 2/3 of the way up the notch wench the dipstick rests on the o-ring.
Which is about 1cm above the notch when the dipstick is fully seated.

What should I look at next?

You need to get a gauge hooked up and measure actual pressure.

[pete roper]

From here it is almost certainly the gasket between the sump spacer and the block having blown out around the delivery gallery/ies. Don't ride the bike until it's fixed.

Pete

[Viker]

Oh crap

I've already been riding it. What might that lead to?

[pete roper]

You risk running the big ends and possibly the mains.

[pete roper]

Picture of likely problem.



There is a new, thicker, gasket available.

Pete

[Viker]

Picture of likely problem.



There is a new, thicker, gasket available.

Pete

Pete, you are a legend. A national treasure in the Republic of Guzzi.

Is there any way I can check the suspect gasket without tearing the whole damn bike apart?

[pete roper]

I've actually got a 1200 Sport on the bench right now with what I think is the same problem. I've swapped the sender to no avail so on Monday it's drop the sump and spacer. From memory you have to tie it vertical, (unless you have a centrestand.) because the sidestand mounting plate mounts onto the spacer. Then just drop the Sump and then the spacer, (Yes, you need to drain the oil unless you want to get very messy! ).

Replace shitty old gasket with new thicker type and reassemble. Fill with oil, check light stays off when you start it. Go ride.

I can take a few pics as I do it if you like?

Edit. Yours is a Stelvio so you have a centrestand, easy! Bash plate has to come off first of course.

Pete

[Viker]

You need to get a gauge hooked up and measure actual pressure.

Is there a guide anywhere on how to do this?

[Viker]

I've actually got a 1200 Sport on the bench right now with what I think is the same problem. I've swapped the sender to no avail so on Monday it's drop the sump and spacer. From memory you have to tie it vertical, (unless you have a centrestand.) because the sidestand mounting plate mounts onto the spacer. Then just drop the Sump and then the spacer, (Yes, you need to drain the oil unless you want to get very messy! ).

Replace shitty old gasket with new thicker type and reassemble. Fill with oil, check light stays off when you start it. Go ride.

I can take a few pics as I do it if you like?

Edit. Yours is a Stelvio so you have a centrestand, easy! Bash plate has to come off first of course.

Pete

Pics would be fantastic. Thank you Pete.

I may have my Chicken Little hat on, but if the big ends and the mains were slightly fukced, what would the symptoms be? Noises? Could a shaved ape or a plucked sloth mistake those noises for cam chain issues, or exhaust gasket issues?

<deep calming breaths>