Another Norge (Oil Sensor) leak

[MGrego]

I was cleaning up my '12 Norge up after riding 700 or 800 miles this past weekend and I noticed an oil leak running down the left side of the engine, enough to drip down off the sump.  Seems to be coming from low on the cylinder, the bottom few cooling fins are wet with oil.

Going to have to remove the fairing to see where its coming from.

Oh, and the left center stand bolt fell out too, just like others have described here.  New parts ordered.

Only 7,000 miles on the darn thing......

[pete roper]

Oil leak is likely to be from the phase sensor or the cooling feed to the LH head. Most likely the phase sensor.

Pete

[Wayne Orwig]

I think the crankcase vent housing is in that area too. So check that out. May be just a blank plate on that one.

[MGrego]

Will check those things--  thanks Guys !

[Gliderjohn]

On my 2011 it was the oil feed lines to heads. Both sides fasteners were loose at the head.
GliderJohn

[Waltr]

On my 2011 it was the oil feed lines to heads. Both sides fasteners were loose at the head.
GliderJohn

Left side was loose on mine, had to tighten the bolt to the banjo fitting.  Not really leaking but seeping.

[canuguzzi]

Preventative maintenance on the Guzzi, although easy to do for most things, must be done routinely, especially checking fasteners.

When a bolt falls off, it probably hasn't been touched or even looked at in quite a while.

At every stop for fuel I check those fasteners I can readily touch or see, run a paper towel under the CARC, the oil filter and drain plugs etc. Some will laugh or joke about it (they have) but I've always managed to stay ahead of show stoppers, haven't had things fall off and the 60 seconds it takes to do this isn't even an interruption.

Been doing that for over 40 years of riding and now closing in on about 38 different bikes.

Establish a routine and that 60 seconds can save you a tow, frustration and trips you start and don't get to finish.

[Duc-Duc-Goose]

Hmmm, this doesn't sound good - lots of leak possibilities? If it's the phase sensor, here's something I found that might address it effectively and economically:

"FIXING LEAKS IN THE SENSORS OF EFI GUZZIS
In this Tip, Michael Haven of MPH Cycles of Houston, Texas, tells how to prevent oil seepage at the various sensors of Guzzi EFI systems:

The phase sensor and the left valve cover temp sensor seem to leak right through the potted material. To fix the leak, remove the sensor, clean it real well with contact cleaner, denatured alcohol, acetone or whatever to get all the oil out.

Then dribble Loctite "wick and lock" on both ends of the sensor. Let it sit overnight. Then put it back and don't fuss with it again. Has worked every time for me."

Worth noting I suppose. I've never heard of wick and lock.

Ciao

[canuguzzi]

Loctite makes a green liquid designed to work on fasteners already in place. No need to disassemble, it wicks down the threads and cures.

That might be it. You can get it at AutoZone, Kragens etc.

[MGrego]

Pulled the tank this evening and upon further inspection the oil leak appears to be coming from the oil pressure sensor !  Quick search on this site and found its not that uncommon for that to happen.

Going to pull the airbox tomorrow to get access.

Anyone know what the replacement part might be for an 8v oil pressure sensor ?  Several posts were saying they orderd it, but the threads were the wrong size ???

Any advice appreciated --

[pete roper]

They changed the sensor so that you need an adaptor and there have been some reports this solution is unworkable with some bikes due to the position of the alternator. I have no personal experience though. Apparently there is a bmw component that fits though. Beyond that I've got nothing. Sorry.

Pete

[MGrego]

Took off the air box this am and found the oil sensor (connector) was full of oil.  Looks like it was leaking around the spade connection.



Here is the sensor :



I gathered from other threads that this part is no longer available, and the replacement now consists of two parts: 1) an oil sensor used on small blocks (incorrect thread size) 2) a thread adapter, plus you have to put on a new electrical connector.

I believe I have found a direct drop in replacement oil sensor at Autozone :  Duralast PS571

http://www.autozone.com/external-engine/oil-pressure-switch?filterByKeyWord=PS571&fromString=search&isSearchByPartNumbe r=true

Other members may be aware of this, but maybe this info will be useful to someone. 

Ordered one online.  Hopefully I'll be back in business by next weekend --

[ITSec]

Pulled the tank this evening and upon further inspection the oil leak appears to be coming from the oil pressure sensor !  Quick search on this site and found its not that uncommon for that to happen.

Going to pull the airbox tomorrow to get access.

Anyone know what the replacement part might be for an 8v oil pressure sensor ?  Several posts were saying they orderd it, but the threads were the wrong size ???

Any advice appreciated --

It all depends on what sensor your bike had to start with. The traditional one is the one with the nail-head connector; later production uses a spade connector on the sensor. If your bike came with the earlier version (likely), then the new sensor (all that's available now, apparently) may require both a thread adapter (available or supplied, I'm told) and a change to the wiring (take off the old clip-style connector, add a female spade connector.

In other threads here, I've described how this is done, and offered a kit to make the change simpler. I'm setting up to make another batch (sorry everyone who's asked and thinks I'm ignoring them) and should have them ready to send out in another week or so, if the connectors get here is a reasonable time. They are free on request to anyone who has donated to the board (my way of supporting Luap et al). BTW, for anyone reading, if you suffer from the random red triangle caused by the oil sensor, the sensor itself may not be bad - it may just be the connector. My kit often solves that problem.

The difficulty Pete mentioned is that on some bikes, the new sensor and thread adapter (when combined) place the top of the sensor very close to the alternator. My kit helps a bit, since I use a 90-degree 'flag' connector for the spade, avoiding the stress that would be placed on a straight-through type.

[MGrego]

ITSec,

Thank you for the informative response and offer to provide wiring "kits".  I may have found a simple solution for my type sensor though.

You can see in the picture above the type sensor my '12 Norge came with.

I believe the duralast PS571 sensor should be an exact replacement, not only for the thread size,  but also for the electrical connection.  I should have the PS571 sensor by the end of next week and I'll let you know if it works.  If it doesn't, looks like I'll be going the route you described -- 

Thanks again to everyone that gave input on this --

[old head]

Here is a list of alternatives

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_oil_pressure_sending_unit_cross_references.html

I put in a ps158 about 2 weeks ago, working good so far.  Autozone had to order it.  I didn't change the connector, mine had a femaile spade connector already on it.

Old head