Strange Problem, need help.

[paratrooper]

Hi All, I have a weird problem that I have no idea about.

I have a 2002 Foggy Monster, so S4 with the 916 engine.  I haven't had the bike long, about three months and maybe 200 miles.  When I first got it, I washed it and right after I finished, I noticed that the oil pressure light was on.  So I fiddled with the sending unit and found it had water inside the chamber where the wire plugs in.  I got the water out the best I could, put it back together, and the light was still on.  So I figured I needed a new sensor.  I picked one up, swapped it out, and the light was gone. 

Today, I fired it up after sitting for about a month and a half, and damn it, the oil light was back on.  I unplugged the wire, and I'll be danged, it had a bunch of water in it again.  The bike hasn't been washed since, so no chance it got water from that.  I again cleaned it out, put it back in and the light is still on.

So I guess this is a two question post.  First, how the heck am I getting water in the sending unit?  It has to be coming in from the crankcase, but why is there water in there to begin with?  I changed the oil when I got the bike home and did not see any water at all.  The bike sat for (I estimate) about four years.  This is the third bike I have owned with this engine and have never seen this issue before.  I owned a 748 that sat for two to three years at a stretch and never had this problem.

Next, why, after getting the sending unit dried out, am I still showing an oil light?  Does the water ruin the sending unit?  I know there is plenty of oil in the engine (I changed it out, and the inspection window confirms the oil level is good).  I even drove the bike with the light on (hoping some heat would get the sending unit straight) and no issues.  Why is the sending unit dying?

As always, thanks in advance for any help you can provide.  Mike

[Dirty Duc]

My S2R shows the oil light when it gets rained on.  I just run it down the road until it dries out...    It hasn't permanently died yet.  One of these days I'll put a dab of sealant around the top of the plug where the wire goes in.

[Howie]

So I guess this is a two question post.  First, how the heck am I getting water in the sending unit?  It has to be coming in from the crankcase, but why is there water in there to begin with?  I changed the oil when I got the bike home and did not see any water at all.  The bike sat for (I estimate) about four years.  This is the third bike I have owned with this engine and have never seen this issue before.  I owned a 748 that sat for two to three years at a stretch and never had this problem.

How water gets inside a waterproof connector is beyond me.  Maybe Ducati magic?

Next, why, after getting the sending unit dried out, am I still showing an oil light?  Does the water ruin the sending unit?  I know there is plenty of oil in the engine (I changed it out, and the inspection window confirms the oil level is good).  I even drove the bike with the light on (hoping some heat would get the sending unit straight) and no issues.  Why is the sending unit dying?

As you have figured out, it will not stray dry.  Dry it as best you can then pack it with dielectric grease.
/quote]

[paratrooper]

How water gets inside a waterproof connector is beyond me.  Maybe Ducati magic?


As you have figured out, it will not stray dry.  Dry it as best you can then pack it with dielectric grease.


I like these forums as it provides people with common interests a place where they can share information, ideas, experiences, etc.  Of course on any of these forums I used or continue to use, there is always a jackass who thinks their input is so desired by everyone that they just have to post the dumbest stuff ever.  You, Sir, are that guy. 

"Ducati Magic"?  Well, golllly, I sure wish I had thought of that.  You should just pack up your bags and head off to Bologna because Ducati sure needs someone as brilliant and insightful as yourself.  And your absolutely spot on assessment and then suggestion of curing a symptom rather than the actual problem is nothing short of top notch motorcycle science.  Thank you for putting so much thought and effort into helping someone solve a problem.  Now, armed with your expert advice, I will seek out the local shade tree mechanic who specializes in duct tape and bailing wire repairs and see if they can hook me up.

Thanks, you are a real help and I am sure you are sought after for your sage advice on a daily, no I will bet hourly, basis. 

[ducpainter]

How water gets inside a waterproof connector is beyond me.  Maybe Ducati magic?


As you have figured out, it will not stray dry.  Dry it as best you can then pack it with dielectric grease.


I like these forums as it provides people with common interests a place where they can share information, ideas, experiences, etc.  Of course on any of these forums I used or continue to use, there is always a jackass who thinks their input is so desired by everyone that they just have to post the dumbest stuff ever.  You, Sir, are that guy.  

"Ducati Magic"?  Well, golllly, I sure wish I had thought of that.  You should just pack up your bags and head off to Bologna because Ducati sure needs someone as brilliant and insightful as yourself.  And your absolutely spot on assessment and then suggestion of curing a symptom rather than the actual problem is nothing short of top notch motorcycle science.  Thank you for putting so much thought and effort into helping someone solve a problem.  Now, armed with your expert advice, I will seek out the local shade tree mechanic who specializes in duct tape and bailing wire repairs and see if they can hook me up.

Thanks, you are a real help and I am sure you are sought after for your sage advice on a daily, no I will bet hourly, basis.  

I love it when a new guy with 15 posts starts with someone that has been helping people forever.

Don't appreciate a little humor?

The fact is that connector has been problematic forever.

howie gave you the best solution there is...can't wait until you need some diagnostic help and he blows you off.  

There...have some sarcasm.

[Raux]

How water gets inside a waterproof connector is beyond me.  Maybe Ducati magic?


As you have figured out, it will not stray dry.  Dry it as best you can then pack it with dielectric grease.


I like these forums as it provides people with common interests a place where they can share information, ideas, experiences, etc.  Of course on any of these forums I used or continue to use, there is always a jackass who thinks their input is so desired by everyone that they just have to post the dumbest stuff ever.  You, Sir, are that guy. 

"Ducati Magic"?  Well, golllly, I sure wish I had thought of that.  You should just pack up your bags and head off to Bologna because Ducati sure needs someone as brilliant and insightful as yourself.  And your absolutely spot on assessment and then suggestion of curing a symptom rather than the actual problem is nothing short of top notch motorcycle science.  Thank you for putting so much thought and effort into helping someone solve a problem.  Now, armed with your expert advice, I will seek out the local shade tree mechanic who specializes in duct tape and bailing wire repairs and see if they can hook me up.

Thanks, you are a real help and I am sure you are sought after for your sage advice on a daily, no I will bet hourly, basis. 

Howie... this guys thinks you are the solution to Ducati's woes

[paratrooper]

I love it when a new guy with 15 posts starts with someone that has been helping people forever.

Don't appreciate a little humor?

The fact is that connector has been problematic forever.

howie gave you the best solution there is...can't wait until you need some diagnostic help and he blows you off.  

There...have some sarcasm.

Oh, well that sucks.  After such a brilliant comment that he provided, he was going to be my first choice for any help I may ever need in the future.  

So let me get this straight, because I only have 15 posts, I am to take people's BS for face value and not send them back the same amount of BS?  Wow, that is some interesting logic.  Is that a forum rule that I overlooked or is that a clique rule I am not aware of?  Is this how new members are welcomed into this forum?  

[ducpainter]

Oh, well that sucks.  After such a brilliant comment that he provided, he was going to be my first choice for any help I may ever need in the future. 

So let me get this straight, because I only have 15 posts, I am to take people's BS for face value and not send them back the same amount of BS?  Wow, that is some interesting logic.  Is that a forum rule that I overlooked or this that a cliche rule I am not aware of?  Is this how new members are welcomed into this forum? 

What BS are you referring to?

As I said...howie's first comment was tongue in cheek. You obviously have no sense of humor.

His second comment is the best and only way to deal with the issue with the stock pieces.

You also have no idea how or desire to use the search function.

This question has been addressed hundreds of times.

Maybe that affected his answer.

All new members with an attitude like yours are welcomed this way. You reap what you sow.

If you don't like it here there are other Ducati forums.

I'd be happy to provide you with links if you like.

[Raux]

Oh, well that sucks.  After such a brilliant comment that he provided, he was going to be my first choice for any help I may ever need in the future.  

So let me get this straight, because I only have 15 posts, I am to take people's BS for face value and not send them back the same amount of BS?  Wow, that is some interesting logic.  Is that a forum rule that I overlooked or is that a clique rule I am not aware of?  Is this how new members are welcomed into this forum?  

To be honest, his joke wasn't towards you but the confusing issues that sometimes comes along with owning a Ducati.

you took it too personally.

and as far as the number of posts, yes, getting that upset over a bit of sarcasm without maybe checking the guy out and seeing if doesn't have a pretty good sense of humor to go along with a ton of knowledge.

he cracked a joke about Ducati ADN then gave you a perfect viable solution. there's no clique, but there are ways to interact on the web a bit less harsh. realize we all love our bikes otherwise we wouldn't be here. and most if not all of us are genuine people with a pretty good attitude (cept me I'm a real jerk in real life) and love helping others.

[Ddan]

How water gets inside a waterproof connector is beyond me.  Maybe Ducati magic?


As you have figured out, it will not stray dry.  Dry it as best you can then pack it with dielectric grease.


I like these forums as it provides people with common interests a place where they can share information, ideas, experiences, etc.  Of course on any of these forums I used or continue to use, there is always a jackass who thinks their input is so desired by everyone that they just have to post the dumbest stuff ever.  You, Sir, are that guy.  

"Ducati Magic"?  Well, golllly, I sure wish I had thought of that.  You should just pack up your bags and head off to Bologna because Ducati sure needs someone as brilliant and insightful as yourself.  And your absolutely spot on assessment and then suggestion of curing a symptom rather than the actual problem is nothing short of top notch motorcycle science.  Thank you for putting so much thought and effort into helping someone solve a problem.  Now, armed with your expert advice, I will seek out the local shade tree mechanic who specializes in duct tape and bailing wire repairs and see if they can hook me up.

Thanks, you are a real help and I am sure you are sought after for your sage advice on a daily, no I will bet hourly, basis.  

Wow.  Really.  Howie is one of the best diagnosticians on the board and gave you info that anyone who wasn't a lazy dipshit could have found with a simple search.  And yes, he is sought after daily for his insight and experience.   One of the nice things about this board is that 'jackasses' tend to leave fairly quickly.  With any luck you will help to continue that trend.

In an effort to be helpful, I would invite you to check out this:   http://www.ducatimonster.org/

Or even better,    http://www.600rr.net/

You'll probably be more comfortable in either of those forums.

[paratrooper]

Wow, well I am glad I got to see how the people on this forum are.  From an administrator no less, I get the following:

Your number of posts are insignificant to administrators.  You do not deserve to get advice that is relevant and helpful.  Instead, according to an administrator, you can expect a smartass reply.

More, according to an administrator: do not try to engage the people who have lots of posts with a tech question.  Instead, you should just use a "Search" to figure out your problem.  God forbid a new member try to strike up dialogue with more experienced members.  Use the "Search" feature and leave the experienced members alone!  Got it.

An administrator tells me I got the best answer, albeit tongue in cheek, because my question (although new to me) has been answered so many times before.  Therefore I should expect the answer I got.

Lastly, an administrator tells me that if I do not like it here, go to another forum, there are others and he (or she, don't know the poster's gender) will provide the links.  Well, since a website with diminished traffic will surely die and you seem hellbent on turning away people, please provide those links, I am sure the owner of this site will appreciate your dedication to ensuring people get interactive on another site.

And if that is "One of your Best", I will gladly depart as I do not need this.  Was hoping to find some help, but instead uncovered a bunch of self-righteous people who are not interested in helping new people.  Ciao.

[ducpainter]

Buh Bye...