Is this normal?
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
From: Sammamish, WA
Is this normal?
Is it normal for the oil pressure gauge to sit at zero pressure when my 2005 Electra Glide Ultra Classic is at stoplights or idling etc?
Details:
* 2005 Ultra has 28k miles on it.
* Running 20W50 VTwin Amsoil
* Noticed low/no oil pressure so replaced my oil, filled to 4 quarts. Went on short ride, rechecked oil and dipstick shows full.
* Bike's oil gauge at highway speeds shows pressure just shy of straight up (about 24-26) vs pointing straight up at 32.
* Oil gauge in city driving reads about 24-26 until engine gets warm, then city driving drops to 8 or so.
Thanks for any insights.
Details:
* 2005 Ultra has 28k miles on it.
* Running 20W50 VTwin Amsoil
* Noticed low/no oil pressure so replaced my oil, filled to 4 quarts. Went on short ride, rechecked oil and dipstick shows full.
* Bike's oil gauge at highway speeds shows pressure just shy of straight up (about 24-26) vs pointing straight up at 32.
* Oil gauge in city driving reads about 24-26 until engine gets warm, then city driving drops to 8 or so.
Thanks for any insights.
Answer NO. You should have pressure at idle.
Do gauges go bad - YES
Do sending units go bad - YES
* Bike's oil gauge at highway speeds shows pressure just shy of straight up (about 24-26) vs pointing straight up at 32.
If these numbers are changes you notice, from before to now there is a shift. See it all the time in industry when a transmitter (sending unit) shifts or Meter (gauge) is going bad.
Do gauges go bad - YES
Do sending units go bad - YES
* Bike's oil gauge at highway speeds shows pressure just shy of straight up (about 24-26) vs pointing straight up at 32.
If these numbers are changes you notice, from before to now there is a shift. See it all the time in industry when a transmitter (sending unit) shifts or Meter (gauge) is going bad.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,004
From: Charleston, SC
It's probably the sensor or gauge but you can thread an external to the case to be sure.
The good news is that you have 'some' oil pressure, because if you didn't... you'd know.... The lifters would sound like they are about to come through the gas tank.
The good news is that you have 'some' oil pressure, because if you didn't... you'd know.... The lifters would sound like they are about to come through the gas tank.
Last edited by lp; Aug 10, 2023 at 01:25 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
just because the gauge isn't showing any pressure, doesn't mean that there isn't any. does your oil light illuminate while you're idling?
my cvo 110 would show very little pressure in the summer when it was really hot. i used to freak out over it, but found that as long as the light was not on, it was good.
my cvo 110 would show very little pressure in the summer when it was really hot. i used to freak out over it, but found that as long as the light was not on, it was good.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,128
Likes: 51,461
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Oil pressure readings come from back pressure created when the oil comes up against resistance like the solid sleeve bearing in auto engines. Harleys don't have that, they are all open roller bearings with few bushings so nothing is restricting the flow to build that back pressure. Water thin hot synthetic oil doesn't help that.
The gear pump in the later later machines move a lot of volume, it keeps freaking you out try good old dino instead of syn and watch the difference on the guage.
The gear pump in the later later machines move a lot of volume, it keeps freaking you out try good old dino instead of syn and watch the difference on the guage.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 2,228
From: College Station, TX
That sounds too low so I would check with a manual gauge before assuming the pressure is that low. Do you get an increase in lifter noise at idle when hot?
If it is low, you would need to check the oil pump and cam plate for problems. And if you find the pump is badly worn, also check the run out on the pinion shaft. Excessive run out will damage the pump, leading to low oil pressure.
Paul
If it is low, you would need to check the oil pump and cam plate for problems. And if you find the pump is badly worn, also check the run out on the pinion shaft. Excessive run out will damage the pump, leading to low oil pressure.
Paul
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
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From: backwoods
My 01 is around 48 on interstate.
Obviously it could be bad gauge, but also couldn't it be something else?
Is it higher cold, which may imply it works
Obviously it could be bad gauge, but also couldn't it be something else?
Is it higher cold, which may imply it works
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