oil temp vs pressure?
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
oil temp vs pressure?
I'm going on a road trip to key west in jan and hear there is crazy traffic.I run synthetic oil in my bike but would like a gauge to keep track of what's going on.I like the look of the oil pressure gauge on the rocker box but was wondering what people thought of pressure vs temp gauge?In my understanding the pressure will drop as the temp goes up so both ways should tell me what I need to know. Right??
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
I would get an oil pressure guage because it will tell you if you have a lubrication issue. Oil viscosity will thin out as temperature increases so there will be some nominal drop in oil pressure. But a TC engine uses a high volume low pressure system. While oil temp is important the oil pressure guage will alert you to a drop in oil pressure that would indicate a problem of sorts.
SYn oil is good usually to 300*F + so watching it get hot is information after the fact. Kinda like "gee my oil is really hot" versus "Holy $hit I don't have any oil pressure"
SYn oil is good usually to 300*F + so watching it get hot is information after the fact. Kinda like "gee my oil is really hot" versus "Holy $hit I don't have any oil pressure"
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 6
From: Port Charlotte, Florida
Ditto on what was said above, temp will only tell you if its hot or not. Its not going to tell you if you have pressure so you wouldn't know that your oil pump went out until you looked down and saw your temp had gone thru the roof and maybe too late..
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
Never had a temp gauge, BUT ALL my scoots get a pressure gauge. It's located at the rear and top of the 'kidney' cover, pointed right at me face when I'm riding.
This one is a bit more difficult to see, but in the same location.
You only need to have a chunk of junk get caught in the oil pump once, and shear the key off, to learn to put on a gauge, ALL THE TIME.
This one is a bit more difficult to see, but in the same location.
You only need to have a chunk of junk get caught in the oil pump once, and shear the key off, to learn to put on a gauge, ALL THE TIME.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: ROCKVILLE,MD
pressure gauge is best, but if you listen the bike will tell you if it has pressure or if over heating(knocking sounds if you lose oil pressure and pinging or valve noise is a good sign its running to hot)please keep in mind if you hear knocking it maybe to late. most people with gauges don't think the gauge is correct and ride til the noise start any way. just remember if you get a gauge and a low pressure reading stop and turn it off asap if it shows no pressure. also stay away from the harley unit(i purchased one)cheep plastic hose to run oil up into gauge(i think it will melt) i have the harley unit, looking to get the steel braded arlen ness hose or some other brand hose.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: las vegas nv
oil guages
I would go with the pressure guage. Since you are running syn oil. I run syn oil here in las vegas and never had a problem and it can get mighty hot here in the summer sitting in traffic.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
pressure gauge is best, but if you listen the bike will tell you if it has pressure or if over heating(knocking sounds if you lose oil pressure and pinging or valve noise is a good sign its running to hot)please keep in mind if you hear knocking it maybe to late. most people with gauges don't think the gauge is correct and ride til the noise start any way. just remember if you get a gauge and a low pressure reading stop and turn it off asap if it shows no pressure. also stay away from the harley unit(i purchased one)cheep plastic hose to run oil up into gauge(i think it will melt) i have the harley unit, looking to get the steel braded arlen ness hose or some other brand hose.
A pan or shovel will 'normally' show "0" at idle or so. Jus' the nature of the 'beasts'. AND that's at the oil pump.
If ya got 20 at speed, JUST 