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techtalk:ref:oil04 [2022/09/27 05:10] hippysmack |
techtalk:ref:oil04 [2024/02/02 23:26] hippysmack [Checking Oil Pressure] |
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| ====== REF: Oiling & Lubrication ====== | ====== REF: Oiling & Lubrication ====== | ||
| ====== Sportster Oil Pressure (57 to Present) ====== | ====== Sportster Oil Pressure (57 to Present) ====== | ||
| - | See also [[techtalk:ref:oil15|Installing an Oil Pressure Gauge]] in the Sportsterpedia. \\ | ||
| - | All Sportsters have oil pressure, even ironheads. \\ | + | All Sportsters have oil pressure, even Ironheads. It's also been said that putting an oil gauge on an ironhead is useless due to the low oil pressure they operate on. However, most Sportsters operate off low oil pressure especially during hot idle. \\ |
| - | It's also been said that putting an oil gauge on an ironhead is useless due to the low oil pressure they operate on. \\ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | However, most Sportsters operate off low oil pressure especially during hot idle. \\ | + | |
| - | The pressure source is shared between the oil pump and crankcase pressure from the action underneath the pistons. \\ | + | |
| - | The first answer is to rely on the oil light. \\ | + | The first answer is just to rely on the oil light. But also checking oil pressure will tell you more about the health of the oiling system. An oil gauge can be fitted to any Sportster to accurately measure the pressure against the specs in the respective FSM and then removed if desired. \\ |
| - | However, an oil gauge can be fitted to any Sportster to accurately measure the pressure against the specs in the respective FSM. \\ | + | |
| + | When checking oil pressure, it's important to note that you are not testing pressure at a dead stop standpoint (as in a dead end of pipe). The oil is flowing into the engine at the same time you are testing from the test site. And the resulting pressure reading is a reflection of current pressure near the source WHILE oil flows downstream and out from there. Oil pressure will be lower downstream of the oil pump depending on the restrictions in the oil path and how big the outlet holes in the top end as well as the pinion to flywheel path. \\ | ||
| ====== Checking Oil Pressure ====== | ====== Checking Oil Pressure ====== | ||
| [[techtalk:ref:oil15|Click Here]] to view "Installing an Oil Pressure Gauge" in the REF section of the Sportsterpedia. \\ | [[techtalk:ref:oil15|Click Here]] to view "Installing an Oil Pressure Gauge" in the REF section of the Sportsterpedia. \\ | ||
| - | When checking oil pressure, it's important to note that you are not testing pressure at a dead stop standpoint. \\ | + | ALL PRESSURE SPECS IN THE FSM ARE FOR HOT OIL (at operating temp). \\ |
| - | The oil is flowing into the engine at the same time you are testing from a still test site. \\ | + | |
| - | Likewise, the resulting pressure reading is a reflection of residual pressure while that pressure is being manipulated. \\ | + | |
| - | (by oil flow as well as the current viscosity) \\ | + | |
| For an accurate reading, run the engine until the oil reaches normal operating temperature (ride at least 20 miles at or above 50mph first). \\ | For an accurate reading, run the engine until the oil reaches normal operating temperature (ride at least 20 miles at or above 50mph first). \\ | ||
| Compare pressure reading against the expected figures in your respective FSM as in below: | Compare pressure reading against the expected figures in your respective FSM as in below: | ||
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| However, below are some noted pressure readings from XLFORUM members. \\ | However, below are some noted pressure readings from XLFORUM members. \\ | ||
| - | A 0-15 psi gauge (although it will max out with a cold motor) will give you the most accurate readings with hot oil. ((simeli of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=263589&highlight=lower+oil+pump&page=4)) \\ | + | A 0-15 psi gauge (although it will max out with a cold motor) will give you the most accurate readings with hot oil. ((simeli of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/54570-step-by-step-fitting-a-rocker-box-pressure-guage/page4?t=263589&highlight=lower+oil+pump&page=4)) \\ |
| A 0-30 psi gauge is only useful at cold temps. \\ | A 0-30 psi gauge is only useful at cold temps. \\ | ||
| A 0-60 psi gauge is useless when testing from the rocker box. \\ | A 0-60 psi gauge is useless when testing from the rocker box. \\ | ||
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| Other XLF member results noted from the rocker box: \\ | Other XLF member results noted from the rocker box: \\ | ||
| - | * Cold start, running 20/50, - pressure off the scale at startup. ((paulc of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1698960&page=2)) | + | * Cold start, running 20/50, - pressure off the scale at startup. ((paulc of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/158701-fitting-rocker-box-oil-pressure-gauge/page2?t=1698960&page=2)) |
| * Settled to 8-9 psi after a few minutes at fast idle. | * Settled to 8-9 psi after a few minutes at fast idle. | ||
| * After 2 miles, the pressure was steady at 12 psi. | * After 2 miles, the pressure was steady at 12 psi. | ||
