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1996 EVO Oil Pressure?

  • OILLEAK2008
    OILLEAK2008
    5 years ago
    Hey all - after my last problem I now have another - DAMN!.  
    I took out my oil tank and cleaned the sludge from the base. (thick and lots)

    Remounted the dried out clean tank.

    Changed all three old oil feed hoses with compliant pressure tested new hoses. (yes - mounted correctly)

    New oil & filter and start up....................My pressure gauge went up to about 15 and then dropped to zero. Engine shut down.

    Pulled the plug from the top of oil pump and topped up the guts with oil.  Start again - no pressure.  Engine shut down again.

    The pressure gauge is an aftermarket one that screws into the oil sender plug hole. It has been fine and faithful for about 5 years till I did this latest work. Never a sign of a problem.

    So - I removed the gauge and re-fitted the original HD pressure sender and electrical wire. Ignition on and red light showing. Removed the spark plugs so as to to spin the engine freely and the red light goes out as per a stock set up.

    My question to the brains trust here is do you think I can trust the HD sender that I have sufficient oil pressure or should I leave it shut down and get some local workshop to maybe fit a pressure gauge (if there is such a tool) into the sender hole to double test pressure? My gut feeling is to trust the standard HD sender set up but if my gut is incorrect I may damage the engine?

    Any views?

    Cheers fella's.

    OILLEAK 
  • John.R
    John.R
    5 years ago
    If its worth anything, I was always told to not bother running a guage because the pressures can be so low that itll just freak you out. Plus how often do people actually look at it? Ignorance is bliss so I just have the pressure light on my dash.
    If I was you id pop the oil filter off, crank it over. If oil is being pushed out thatd probably be good enough for me.

    Just my 2c
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    5 years ago
    Yeah Evos run bloody low oil pressure.
    If I recall you may nee to make sure the oil pump is primed as well (thats the process for a pump replacement where all the oil has drained from it), so check that side of things out.  What does your manual say about it?
    and I would trust the sender, although if in doubt they are pretty cheap so you could buy a new one to make sure.

  • brucefxdl
    brucefxdl
    5 years ago
    cant hurt to have the pressure checked with a master gauge,i use one when ever i have a job with suspect oil pressure on any sort/type of engine,saves guessing and gives peace of mind.
     
  • perthhog
    perthhog
    5 years ago
    Yes check your pressure with a master gauge first , yes they do run low oil pressure  with std spring 
     I would also clean or replace your lifter filter  whilst you’re at  seeing you had gunk build up 
    Check out ert. Products in the USA  they know HD oil pressure my evos  run  on 
    Average   ( upgrade oil pump spring )15psi idle  35psi on the run by memory 
    but does very with  air temp, driving conditions ,oil grade 
    Good luck 
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    5 years ago
    Search Results
    Featured snippet from the web
    Repair Manual gives specs of 7-35 psi range. Evo doesn't need oil pressure so much as oil presence. Only the tappets rely on high pressure, and the passages up the pushrods, into and through the rocker shafts

    https://www.harley-davidsonforums.com/forums/oil-filters/29999-evo-oil-pressure.html

  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    5 years ago
    Try testing your gauge with air pressure. 
  • Hoodeng
    Hoodeng
    5 years ago
    Harley oil pressure is tested at 2000rpm and has to be 12lb to 35lb hot, it has always been tested at this rpm, idle is irrelevant. Yes , lifter screens will kill pressure especially as you have noted that your tank was contaminated. I would think the cause for the tank contamination should be investigated as well, was the material removed fibrous, metallic or sludge?

    These pumps rarely if ever need spring replacement , i have found pumps with excessive relief piston bleed among other faults but have never found a spring fail.

    The quest for higher oil pressure than specified in these engines is not warranted.

    Remove the feed line and confirm you have a good steady flow to the pump outside feed fitting. Test with a know gauge.

    Cheers.
  • OILLEAK2008
    OILLEAK2008
    5 years ago
    Problem solved. Thanks for all the reply's gents. While the sender indicated normal (or some) oil pressure by having the light go out I was still worried. I managed to get a calibrated gauge and all is good so my aftermarket gauge must have shit its self.
    The sludge in the oil tank that one of you mentioned was just that - thick sludge and maybe about 6 odd mm deep on the base of the tank. No pieces or other material - just black gluggy sludge. It came up like new after two 24 hour soakings with kero. I followed up this with two fresh oil flushes.

    For those who dont believe in sludge (I was one of them) - I have had the bike for 23 years of its 24 year history. I change the oil and filter with Penrite 20W-60 Diesel with a new HD filter every 3000klms. Some say that with new oils etc sludge dont happen. Well it does!

    Cheers fella's for all your wisdom and advise.

    Oilleak
  • Ken in Cairns
    Ken in Cairns
    5 years ago
    Glad you had a good result.
    Much relief I'm sure.
    Cheers
    Ken
  • brucefxdl
    brucefxdl
    5 years ago
    Quoting OILLEAK2008 on 24 Nov 2019 09:14 AM

    Problem solved. Thanks for all the reply's gents. While the sender indicated normal (or some) oil pressure by having the light go out I was still worried. I managed to get a calibrated gauge and all is good so my aftermarket gauge must have shit its self.

    The sludge in the oil tank that one of you mentioned was just that - thick sludge and maybe about 6 odd mm deep on the base of the tank. No pieces or other material - just black gluggy sludge. It came up like new after two 24 hour soakings with kero. I followed up this with two fresh oil flushes.

    For those who dont believe in sludge (I was one of them) - I have had the bike for 23 years of its 24 year history. I change the oil and filter with Penrite 20W-60 Diesel with a new HD filter every 3000klms. Some say that with new oils etc sludge dont happen. Well it does!

    Cheers fella's for all your wisdom and advise.

    Oilleak

    all is good when you get a result/answer to an issue,enjoy the next 23 years.
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