Oil pressure

[nathan12]

A friend of mine has a gs 1100 also and this spring he got it out to find the oil light coming on at idle. How bad is this?
thanks!

[bonanzadave]

Is there any oil in it ?

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. nathan12,

Cetainly check the oil level. If it is idling too low then the oil light may come on because of insufficient pressure. What's the idle set for? Usually it should be around 1100rpm or so.

It could also be a bad oil pressure send unit or a bad seal in the oil pressure send unit.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Nessism]

The oil pressure sensor is very robust on these bikes; it's basically a spring loaded plunger that caps the main oil feed port from the pump. All it does is provide a ground path by touching metal from the oil port, even a small amount of oil flow will push the plunger away from the port thus disrupting the ground path for the light.

Either you have a serious oil system problem, or there is an electrical wiring issue you should deal with. Of course, this assumes the bike is stock and does not have an oil cooler kit - which changes things.

[asetech]

disconnect the wire from the sending unit. if the light goes off its either a sending unit or an oil pressure issue

[Nessism]

disconnect the wire from the sending unit. if the light goes off its either a sending unit or an oil pressure issue

With the wire off, the light will never come on. To make the light illuminate, the wire needs to be grounded.

If the light come on with the wire removed, there is a harness issue.

[duaneage]

Might be a lot of trouble but i would get a 0-15 lb gauge on the side of the engine and make sure. Roller bearing engines have very low oil pressure but need a few lbs to survive. Ask Renobruce about his fine gauges, even for troubleshooting they are a good idea.

I have modified an air pressure gauge with different plumbing and it seems to work OK. Not entirely accurate but if it moves, there is pressure and on a low pressure system that is what counts.

[marz]

i had this problem. the pressure would fulx just a bit .. when i finnaly did ripp the engine apart i found the whole screen was filled with shredded metal . and two bits of metal from the gears..and a pan head bolt.too all rattling around in there

just thought id tell you..might want to look at the screen if none of the other advice does anything.

no the engine didnt make any wierd noises...funny that considering i went like a bat out of heaven. on that engine..

[76FJ55]

Just to verify check the level of the oil and smell it to ensure there is no gas in it. after setting for a long time it is possible that some gas made it throught the petcock, carbs and past the rings and has diluted the oil which will cause oil pressure problems. When he got it out to fire it up was the fuel tank empty?

[81GS]

No to jump this thread, but I have a question. I have been trying to get my oil light to come on. When I turn the key on I assume it should be on. I get nothing. I replaced the bulb and still nothing. I checked to make sure the wire was tight on the oil pressure switch and it was. Should I be getting a reading if I unhook the wire and have the key on??? I got nothing. Could it be the switch itself? If so, can I change it without draining the oil? The bike is a GS 450T, 1981. Any advice would be appreciated.
Bob L.

[asetech]

With the key on you should be able to touch the wire to ground and the light should illuminate. if it doesn't then you will have to find where your losing your B+

[nathan12]

Thanks everyone, I will check the idle for him and remind him to check the oil level. Now I have some questions about my machine, will start a new thread...
Nathan