Oil pressure problem
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447
Likes: 82
From: Paris ky
Oil pressure problem
Hi all. I have a 2001 ultra classic with 67k miles on her. I have owned the bike since last April and haven't had any problems besides maintenance. I have put about 6k of the miles on it. It's all stock internals that I know of but I just got back from a trip from ky thru Tennessee into north Carolina and had no problems. Went to ride my bike over the weekend and all was good til halfway thru the ride then the oil press gauge was reading all over the place so I rode it back home and got a new oil sending unit and installed it today. Didn't help. Now my gauge barely moves off 0 at idle and if you ride it around 2500rpm it's around 18-20 psi. Around 3000 it's 26 psi. If u come to a stop it's around zero again. If I shut it off and restart it takes me giving it throttle to get press and the light to go off. Any ideas on what's wrong. If it's oil pump is that a hard job and what do I need to replace. I have a service manual and I'm an auto mechanic but never tore into one of these motors. Now give me a streetbike motor like a hayabusa and I can do whatever to it blindfolded. Any help is appreciated. I'm suppose to be going on a ride towards Colorado,north Dakota,etc in July so hope it's not too bad
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 280
From: North Cental Iowa
Sorry to say it's probably your cam tensioners that took a dump. First thing you need to do is get a HD factory service manual for 01 touring bike. You can find many threads about the tensioners, just search " cam chain tensioners". They are known to go out anywhere from 20-80K miles, debris goes to the oil pump & chews it up, don't run it any longer until you have at least checked it out. You need to remove the exhaust, at least the front, to remove the cam cover, that allows you to see the outer tensioner & you can partially see the inner with a small dental mirror. Since you likely need a new oil pump, I would recommend going to the upgraded late style hydraulic tensioner kit as it includes a new upgraded oil pump also. If you're very lucky & someone has already replaced them you might have a stuck pressure relief valve, but don't count on it, I'd say about 95% chance it's the tensioners. Sorry for the bad news.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Paris ky
I already have a service manual. I hooked up a wet gauge and it didn't move the gauge but it only goes to 25 psi. I gave it throttle and it never moved. If I have to replace the pump is it a hard job? Do the push rods have to be removed?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,403
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From: Indy
If you rode it with the oil pressure that low for any time, you will be looking at new motor, pull the floor board, the front pipe, and the cam cover, and look at the tensioners, I would bet on the inner being shot,which takes out the oil pump , and cam bearings, you may get lucky , and just have to replace the cams, bearings , and oil pump.
You will need to remove the push rods, and lifters to look at the lifter bores, if they are bad new motor it is.
Sorry , I have been this route 2 times.
You will need to remove the push rods, and lifters to look at the lifter bores, if they are bad new motor it is.
Sorry , I have been this route 2 times.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
As previously mentioned, you have probably experienced a cam chain tensioner failure, and likely looking at replacing the oil pump at a minimum.
Carl
Last edited by Harleypingman; Jun 6, 2012 at 11:58 PM.
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Tourer
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From: Paris ky
I have a hd service manual. Thanks for the info. Guess it's time to open it up and see what's wrong.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 473
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From: Grays Creek, NC
With 67K, provided the cam tensioners have not already been replaced, my best guess is a piece of the plastic tensioner broke off and damaged the oil pump. Very common.
HD makes an upgraded cam plate with hydraulic tensioners and oil pump for around $450. Add some adjustable pushrods for $125 and a install kit for $50. Also replace the cam inner bearings.
The problem is that once you're in there you might as well upgrade your cams. Don't know if your already stage 1 with a tuner or not.
Now that you're in that deep, you might as well go big bore while your at it.
Fuelmoto makes a kit with everything you will need.
http://www.fuelmotousa.com/98kit.htm
It's just a vi$cious cycle...
As an auto mechanic you can easily do the work yourself. Only special tool you will need is a cam bearing remover/installer and there are ways around that too.
Search the forum as there are some very good write ups on cam replacement with detailed pictures and links to youtube videos.
HD makes an upgraded cam plate with hydraulic tensioners and oil pump for around $450. Add some adjustable pushrods for $125 and a install kit for $50. Also replace the cam inner bearings.
The problem is that once you're in there you might as well upgrade your cams. Don't know if your already stage 1 with a tuner or not.
Now that you're in that deep, you might as well go big bore while your at it.
Fuelmoto makes a kit with everything you will need.
http://www.fuelmotousa.com/98kit.htm
It's just a vi$cious cycle...
As an auto mechanic you can easily do the work yourself. Only special tool you will need is a cam bearing remover/installer and there are ways around that too.
Search the forum as there are some very good write ups on cam replacement with detailed pictures and links to youtube videos.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Paris ky
Here's an update. Took it apart and both my tensioners are shot. Can't believe it was not noisy at all. Couldn't find anything in the pump itself but could feel some scratches on the housing the gears set in and on the cam plate. Here are the tensioners
