Oil pressure but no circulation.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
If all the above check out and the returns aren't blocked/crimped, etc, then you need to remember that your oil pump is a two part pump. One side supplys pressure to the engine. The other side scavanges the engine. If the woodruff key got sheared off after "unsumping" the engine, you would have pressure but no return. So if all else checks out it's time to look into the oil pump. Hope this helps.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
There is no way that the oil is not returning, and no sumping or decrease in oil level. How long did you run it? If you run it very long without oil returning...all the oil will be in the floor out the vent. Remove the return line from the tank and run it in a catch can to make sure it is not returning.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Rockland County NY.
Ok,..After draining oil and checking all lines I became suspicious of a possible restriction (slight kink) in the return line from filter to tank, just off the filter..I cut in a 90 and refilled tank then checked to be sure I had feed to pump. I then disconnected and plugged the retun line at the pump and ran a short line from pump return to an oil pan...I fired her up and was getting good return from the pump. Not much pressure but a steady flow..I reconnected the return line and then had good return to the tank and my oil temp at warm idle increased from the previous 90 degrees to 150..
Thanks for all the support gentlemen...This poor bike has seen nothing but neglect for over a decade..I expect to spend the winter treating her right...I'll be back!
Thanks for all the support gentlemen...This poor bike has seen nothing but neglect for over a decade..I expect to spend the winter treating her right...I'll be back!
Last edited by DaltonHD; Dec 3, 2011 at 05:47 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 20
From: Driftless Area
A blockage will not affect pressure, if an oil passageway is blocked, the pressure will still be controlled by the oil pressure relief valve in the oil pump.
A blockage in the scavenge line could definitely be causing this, but it could also be that the oil pump scavenge gears are not turning, possibly a sheared key.
A blockage in the scavenge line could definitely be causing this, but it could also be that the oil pump scavenge gears are not turning, possibly a sheared key.
pui
Last edited by 1skrewsloose; Dec 4, 2011 at 01:04 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 45
From: Stockbridge GA
Now, I thoroughly flushed the oil bag and replaced all oil lines, replaced check ball and spring, tappet filter, and primed the oil pump.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Rockland County NY.
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Intermediate
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I have a 103 cu in engine with a oil cooler. My oil pressure will climb to about thirty or so pounds on a cold start but once it warms up and the temp drops to normal operating temp. I will start out riding and I watch the gauge it will climb up and then drop to 10 lbs while riding and then it will climb a little then drop again to 10 lbs. I changed the oil gauge and the sending unit and it still does it. Could this be a oil cooler problem restricting the oil flow? It has me baffled. I do get valve noise with the oil pressure problem. Need some help with this.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Take a piece of tubing and remove the cooler from the equation, that should answer your question. If you still have the problem then start looking at the lines, etc. What brand oil cooler?? Hope this helps.