Triumphrat

ncdave · 05-06-2009, 05:05 PM

While I have the bike apart, and ordering some parts anyway, I noticed what I believe is the oil pressure sensor that is broken by the previous owner skid on the right side. This sensor has a single wire coming from the back side of the cylinder bank to a banjo bolt just at the base of the cylinders on the right side. The metal line from there goes up to the top of the cylinders.

First question: Am I correct in my assessment of it being an oil pressure sensor?

Second question: Would this have an effect on idle? I'm asking this because there are times when I slow down at a stop, pull in the clutch, and the idle drops so low that it stalls.

kRaZyKiRb · 05-06-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncdave

While I have the bike apart, and ordering some parts anyway, I noticed what I believe is the oil pressure sensor that is broken by the previous owner skid on the right side. This sensor has a single wire coming from the back side of the cylinder bank to a banjo bolt just at the base of the cylinders on the right side. The metal line from there goes up to the top of the cylinders.

First question: Am I correct in my assessment of it being an oil pressure sensor?

Second question: Would this have an effect on idle? I'm asking this because there are times when I slow down at a stop, pull in the clutch, and the idle drops so low that it stalls.

Hey Dave! Yes, that is the oil pressure sensor (Low Oil Indicator). And it should have no bearing on your idle. As my is also broken (I do have a new one, just haven't replaced it) and the Triumph dealership said to keep a watchful eye on my oil level until then.

Do the same, and you should be fine!

ncdave · 05-06-2009, 10:53 PM

Good to know. I have it on order with a few other parts, so it won't be on the road anyway, but at least I'm safe. However, now I have the problem of figuring out why the bike stalls sometimes.

BombFactory · 05-07-2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kRaZyKiRb

Hey Dave! Yes, that is the oil pressure sensor (Low Oil Indicator). And it should have no bearing on your idle. As my is also broken (I do have a new one, just haven't replaced it) and the Triumph dealership said to keep a watchful eye on my oil level until then.

Do the same, and you should be fine!

There is a misconception floating around that needs arguing against that if the oil pressure sensor is broken, so long as you check the oil ‘it should be fine.' This is a horrible logic, as it is very rare that anyone would lose enough oil to affect oil pressure without having other major issues like slipping all over the road.

The sensor is to warn you if the engine has a loss of oil pressure not only due to owner neglect of oil level, but if the oil pump fails, an oil galley becomes blocked, or other catastrophic failures. If that happens and you have no warning, it makes not difference what level the oil was at before you went for that ride. If you are not warned that the oil pressure is gone, your engine is toast in a very short amount of time, especially if you’re up in the rpm’s.

I cannot rationalize why anyone would run an engine that didn't have a working oil pressure sensor or gauge all because of a $43 part and ten minutes to install it. It is not a safe bet at all to ride around without knowing what your oil pressure and water temperature are doing. I highly doubt that any mechanic said ‘it should be fine’ as long as you check the oil level; if the mechanic did, he/she has no business working on engines or giving advice.

ncdave · 05-07-2009, 11:35 AM

I understand what you are saying Bomb, and replacement is the best medicine. However, In my experience, I'd say the risk is pretty low of a failure that you mention. I didn't even realize that mine was broken. I recently bought the bike and had not taken the plastics off checking things prior to this. I even took mine to a track day and ran the heck out of it. I'm not saying that's the SMART thing to do, but I think the risk is pretty low.

You are totally right though that for $43 and a little work, it's certainly cheap insurance to make sure things are working properly. That's exactly what I'm going.

BombFactory · 05-07-2009, 12:33 PM

Dave, there is a difference between not knowing something is broken, like in your case, and knowing but passing it off as just another thing to ignore. Yes, the chances are rare that a catastrophic failure would occur on a low-miles engine, but when we are talking about $1,000 for a used engine that is questionable from the start and over $2,000 for a new/rebuilt engine, it isn't worth the risk; and you agree. Furthermore, is it worth putting one's life at risk, as when the oil pressure stops and that crankshaft seizes, locking up the rear wheel when the bikes going 65 mph, it isn't going to be a good situation for the rider or those around him/her.

There have been cases on this forum before where an oil pump has failed. Obviously, people can and will do whatever they want, but bad advice given with good intentions doesn't negate the fact that it is still bad advice and could potentially lead to someone getting seriously hurt and/or spending thousands of dollars all because of a $43 part.

ncdave · 05-07-2009, 01:25 PM

Totally agree.

Speaking of catestrophic failure, I was at a honda shop over the weekend while my buddy was getting new tires on his bike. The shop was building a goldwing motor. They had to replace the case because the guy ran over a tree stump. They showed me the old case. About a 4 inch hole broken in the bottom of it.

The guy told me that it was cheaper to buy new cases and rebuild everything (paying shop labor) than to order a new motor.