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CVO Technical => Twin Cam => Topic started by: muddypaws on July 09, 2012, 05:54:36 PM

Title: Oil Pressure
Post by: muddypaws on July 09, 2012, 05:54:36 PM
Yesterday on a ride with the outside temp at 105 my oil pressure was only at 28 at 200 RPM. I run Redline 20/50. This heat is not normal for Virginia. Today it's 85 and the pressure is at 38. Just looking for comments.

Title: Re: Oil Pressure
Post by: twinotter on July 10, 2012, 02:21:33 PM
 Personally I wouldn't worry about the 28 @ 2000rpm, more than ample pressure. As long as pressure rises from there when rev'd up, it is of no concern. All oils thin slightly as heat builds, I'd be far more concerned about the oil temp in traffic. Oil temp is directly related to engine temps. 250 degrees oil temps could see engine temps at 400 (cyl head).
If the motor is not going into shut down mode, then engine temps are likely safe too. Just ride her!!  :) twinotter
Title: Re: Oil Pressure
Post by: grc on July 10, 2012, 02:35:12 PM

The normal range for oil pressure on a Twin Cam is 30-38 psi @ 2000 rpm and 230°F oil temp.  With air temps in the 105°F range, I'd be willing to bet your oil temps were well above normal, and the viscosity of the oil decreases of course as the temperature increases.  If your bike is like most, it probably averages around 32 psi @ 2000 rpm and normal oil temps.  Add another 30-40°F to the temps, and a drop to 28-30 psi @ 2000 rpm wouldn't surprise me at all.  What was the pressure at idle under those same conditions?

I personally don't ride anymore when the temperatures get above the lower 90's, so I can't offer any first hand numbers from experience that would match your 105°F situation.  I can tell you that while my bike consistently runs 32-33 psi @ 2000 rpm most of the time, I do notice it tends to slip back towards 30 psi when I ride in 90°F weather for an extended time, and idle pressure drops a pound or two as well.  It's nothing to be concerned about.


Jerry
Title: Re: Oil Pressure
Post by: smkblwr on July 10, 2012, 03:09:07 PM
muddypaws, mine does the same when its this darn HOT on good ol Va. just watch her in traffic in these temps, when it kicks into the cylender shut down mode i try to find an open side street if i am in city traffic to get some air moving. I have been caught on 64 east of richmond and shut it off and walked it with traffic till it cooled down some and traffic started moving faster that my short legs could push ahahaha.
Smkblwr
Title: Re: Oil Pressure
Post by: prodrag1320 on July 10, 2012, 03:28:12 PM
sounds like time to pull over & have a cold beer