M696: Low Oil Pressure

DoWorkSon · November 24, 2009, 03:14:39 PM

Today, started up the bike just fine, let the bike warm up, and then started on my ride(oil light turned off at startup). After about 1/2 mile, the low oil pressure light went on. Got back home and cannot figure out why this would go on.

The oil level is full as per the indicator window.

Bike only has just over 2k on the clock.

I installed an oil cooler over 1000 miles ago(I think it had 800 on the clock) without any issues, leaks, or problems.

The last time I rode the bike was approx. 3 weeks ago on a 100 mile ride, no issues.

Bike has been sitting in garage waiting for a warmer day like today.

Is there a serious issue here or is it possibly a bad/dirty sensor? Any way to check prior to taking into shop? Ideas??

Howie · November 24, 2009, 05:15:37 PM

Did you wash the bike or ride in the rain recently? Moisture can get inside the connector, causing the light to glow. If so, remove the connector, blow dry, pack with dielectric grease.*

*Keep in mind, the official answer should be check oil pressure with a mechanical gauge since low oil pressure can cause major engine damage. Oh, I assume you checked the oil level.

DoWorkSon · November 24, 2009, 10:58:07 PM

Bike has been garaged for last few weeks... It has rained, but I doubt any moisture made it into connectors, but I will clean and grease..... Bike runs fine, nothing different in the way it runs or sounds, which makes me hope it is just a bad sensor or something is throwing the light on.... I cannot see how the bike has low oil pressure

Howie · November 25, 2009, 02:25:29 AM

Since you are under warranty, get the bike to the dealer, preferably not under it's own power. More than likely it is the sensor, but what if it is not?

DoWorkSon · November 25, 2009, 09:52:26 AM

Quote from: howie on November 25, 2009, 02:25:29 AM
Since you are under warranty, get the bike to the dealer, preferably not under it's own power. More than likely it is the sensor, but what if it is not?

As soon as I can get it there I am... Only issue that I have is that I have a feeling that the oil cooler might void the warranty because it is not a DP oil cooler... It is a ducati oil cooler off an M750, but since it's not made specifically for the 696 I dont want to be hassled for it.

I would like to determine if it is a sensor issue, or a mechanical issue before I tear off the oil cooler and spend time and money before I take the bike in.

ducpainter · November 25, 2009, 10:03:27 AM

Without a proper pressure test you can't really determine anything for sure.

A very backyard method to see if there's any pressure at all is to remove the filter and crank the engine over with the plug wires removed. If oil pumps out the pump is pumping some although not necessarily enough to prevent damage.

Since sender failures are far more common than pump failures I think I'd install a new sender and see what happens with the light/lo oil pressure warning. I don't know if the ecu could be involved on a 696.

DoWorkSon · November 25, 2009, 12:14:46 PM

Quote from: ducpainter on November 25, 2009, 10:03:27 AM
Without a proper pressure test you can't really determine anything for sure.

A very backyard method to see if there's any pressure at all is to remove the filter and crank the engine over with the plug wires removed. If oil pumps out the pump is pumping some although not necessarily enough to prevent damage.

Since sender failures are far more common than pump failures I think I'd install a new sender and see what happens with the light/lo oil pressure warning. I don't know if the ecu could be involved on a 696.

Is there any way to check if the sender unit is bad?

ducpainter · November 25, 2009, 12:27:03 PM

If you blew compressed air into the hole...at about 20-30 psi... there should be infinite resistance between the connector and ground/metal housing.

DoWorkSon · November 25, 2009, 12:38:17 PM

Quote from: ducpainter on November 25, 2009, 12:27:03 PM
If you blew compressed air into the hole...at about 20-30 psi... there should be infinite resistance between the connector and ground/metal housing.

Any idea where it is on the 696?

Is it the sensor on top left side of crank case?

Also, I read it could possibly be a clogged oil filter or oil filter screen.... Is this a possibility?

ducpainter · November 25, 2009, 12:47:48 PM

Quote from: DoWorkSon on November 25, 2009, 12:38:17 PM
Any idea where it is on the 696?

Is it the sensor on top left side of crank case?

Also, I read it could possibly be a clogged oil filter or oil filter screen.... Is this a possibility?

On every Duc I've ever seen it is located just to the rear and slightly above the oil filler.

If your filter is clogged at 2K miles you have more issues than a bad sender.

Howie · November 25, 2009, 01:15:50 PM

Quote from: DoWorkSon on November 25, 2009, 09:52:26 AM
As soon as I can get it there I am... Only issue that I have is that I have a feeling that the oil cooler might void the warranty because it is not a DP oil cooler... It is a ducati oil cooler off an M750, but since it's not made specifically for the 696 I dont want to be hassled for it.

I would like to determine if it is a sensor issue, or a mechanical issue before I tear off the oil cooler and spend time and money before I take the bike in.

The oil cooler should not be an issue with the dealer, and, at least in theory, if push came to shove they would need to prove the cooler caused the problem. Of course, you want to avoid hassles like this. When you installed the cooler did you install the by pass valve for the cooler? Unless there is a change in design not having the valve should not cause a problem. Your low pressure problem would have happened immediately after installation, so if the problem resulted some time after you can rule that out. You could also invest in a mechanical oil gauge and an adapter to fit your engine, shouldn't set you back more than, maybe $40.

greenmonster · November 25, 2009, 02:05:02 PM

QuoteA very backyard method to see if there's any pressure at all is to remove the filter and crank the engine over with the plug wires removed.

Another one is to crank w/o oil filler cap on.
Ask me how I know....

DoWorkSon · November 25, 2009, 02:38:30 PM

Quote from: howie on November 25, 2009, 01:15:50 PM
The oil cooler should not be an issue with the dealer, and, at least in theory, if push came to shove they would need to prove the cooler caused the problem. Of course, you want to avoid hassles like this. When you installed the cooler did you install the by pass valve for the cooler? Unless there is a change in design not having the valve should not cause a problem. Your low pressure problem would have happened immediately after installation, so if the problem resulted some time after you can rule that out. You could also invest in a mechanical oil gauge and an adapter to fit your engine, shouldn't set you back more than, maybe $40.

Yep, sure did.... I installed the oil cooler awhile ago, and since, have ridden close to 1000 miles with it on, so I know that the oil cooler is not the issue....

DoWorkSon · November 28, 2009, 04:35:17 PM

Quote from: greenmonster on November 25, 2009, 02:05:02 PM
Another one is to crank w/o oil filler cap on.
Ask me how I know....

What would I be looking for?? Would oil be coming out of the oil fill hole?

I also removed the oil pressure sensor and oil was spitting out of that hole... is that any indication that the pump is working?

Howie · November 28, 2009, 06:01:30 PM

If you crank the engine with the sensor out it should look like you struck oil.

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M696: Low Oil Pressure