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[drgmis16]

Bike was in the shop and was given a loaner till it was repaired.  The loaner was a 2016 SE Street Glide.  Noticed going down the Interstate that the oil pressure was about 38 psi.  When swapped bikes, my oil pressure going down the same Interstate, the oil pressure was around 30 psi and dipping to 26 psi on occasion.  The oil pressure sender probably just as good as the volt meter for accuracy.  Inquired at the dealership who contacted Milwaukee and was told that this is okay, could be 25 to 32 psi.     The service manual states that normal oil pressure should be 30 to 38 psi at 2000 rpm with oil temperature of 230F.  What are other folks reading for oil pressure going down an interstate?  Problem or not?  Same engine but in different frames, one would think that the oil pressure should be somewhat closer than this.

[jdk20723]

Possible issues
https://www.zippersperformance.com/index.php/downloads/dl/file/id/57/product/0/technical_doc_oiling_valve_train_issues_solutions.pdf

[grc]

Bike was in the shop and was given a loaner till it was repaired.  The loaner was a 2016 SE Street Glide.  Noticed going down the Interstate that the oil pressure was about 38 psi.  When swapped bikes, my oil pressure going down the same Interstate, the oil pressure was around 30 psi and dipping to 26 psi on occasion.  The oil pressure sender probably just as good as the volt meter for accuracy.  Inquired at the dealership who contacted Milwaukee and was told that this is okay, could be 25 to 32 psi.     The service manual states that normal oil pressure should be 30 to 38 psi at 2000 rpm with oil temperature of 230F.  What are other folks reading for oil pressure going down an interstate?  Problem or not?  Same engine but in different frames, one would think that the oil pressure should be somewhat closer than this.

As you already know, the official specification is 30 - 38 psi @ 2000 rpm and 230°F oil temperature.  Either the person at the dealership lied to you about the call to H-D, or he talked to someone who fed him some BS.

I can't tell from your post what model and year bike you're talking about (you might want to add that info to your profile), but assuming you're talking about an earlier model Twin Cam what you're seeing could be the first signs of excessive oil pump wear or a sticking pressure relief valve.  Of course the first thing to check is the gauge itself, and you do that by having a calibrated mechanics gauge temporarily installed and observing it while riding.  The best way is by using a T fitting to allow the stock gauge to continue working so you can make direct comparisons. 

I had the same issue on my 2005.  When I installed a new cam plate and oil pump to upgrade to hydraulic tensioners, my operating oil pressure returned to the normal range.  The old pump didn't exhibit obvious/serious wear or damage, but the pressure relief valve was sticking a bit.

Jerry

[Swbike]

My 2016 CVO RG oil pressure is between 29-36 depending on engine temp at 75mph. I'm on my second engine and the first one was exactly the same.

[1roadking]

Same here and told the same thing. They said they checked it with mechanical gauge and it was good to go. Mine was reading on the higher end before they pulled my cam for new due to a lazy lifter. I just had a 117 kit installed and had the guy check the oil pump and he said it was all good. I’m interested to see if the pressure reads higher again now.

[drgmis16]

Thanks for the replies!  Updated profile so that people know what year and model have.  Sent a letter to Milwaukee about this and will see what the response is.  Did this since the dealer stated that there was no problem.

[skratch]

just wait until you're 3 hrs into a 6 hr interstate ride on a 95* day and you happen to look over at your gauge and it looks like it's reading about 5psi 

that'll make your sphincter pucker for sure.  after stopping and cooling down, pressure was back up.  oil light never came on, but found out after that that the oil pressure would go down every time it got hot.  not usually that much, but it would drop substantially.  got the old, 'they all do that' from the dealer, but had that bike for 4 years and never had any engine problem, so apparently it was getting enough oil.  i did notice that if i used redline 20w-60, the oil pressure would stay higher longer.

[grc]

just wait until you're 3 hrs into a 6 hr interstate ride on a 95* day and you happen to look over at your gauge and it looks like it's reading about 5psi 

that'll make your sphincter pucker for sure.  after stopping and cooling down, pressure was back up.  oil light never came on, but found out after that that the oil pressure would go down every time it got hot.  not usually that much, but it would drop substantially.  got the old, 'they all do that' from the dealer, but had that bike for 4 years and never had any engine problem, so apparently it was getting enough oil.  i did notice that if i used redline 20w-60, the oil pressure would stay higher longer.

While what you've indicated is true for pressure at idle, it SHOULD NOT be true at cruising speed on the highway.  The only time my bike's pressure dropped when hot at cruise speed was when my original pump and relief valve started heading south.  A new pump and cam plate restored the oil pressure, and even on high 90's days the pressure never dropped below 30 psi when running over 2000 rpm.  It did and still does drop at idle, down to about 5 psi on the gauge with ambient temps in the 90's.  A higher capacity oil cooler, especially with fan assist, should help that situation.

Jerry

[Rooster]

Mine still drops down to 5lbs when hot at a stop light with fan on the oil cooler and Wards fans going. But that rear cylinder exhaust that sticks out burns the chit out of the back of my right leg prolly cuase my short legs can't get far enough away when my feet are on the ground. Got the scars to prove it along with a few pairs of jeans with burn mark.

[drgmis16]

Since the engine and motorcycle is still under warranty, the dealership stated that they had to use the HD Syn3 oil.  Did not think to ask what type of oil was in the Street Glide that am using for comparison.  Wondering if there is a big difference in pressures between synthetic and regular?  This might be the response that get from Milwaukee, if they respond at all that is.

[grc]

Since the engine and motorcycle is still under warranty, the dealership stated that they had to use the HD Syn3 oil.  Did not think to ask what type of oil was in the Street Glide that am using for comparison.  Wondering if there is a big difference in pressures between synthetic and regular?  This might be the response that get from Milwaukee, if they respond at all that is.

The dealership lied to you, but that's not exactly unusual.  You can use any motor oil you want that meets current specifications.  There's this little thing called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 (federal law) that specifically states they can't make you use their brand of maintenance products to maintain warranty coverage, UNLESS they provide those products free of charge.

If the Street Glide you were riding was a CVO, it had SYN-3 in it from the factory.  All CVO's come with SYN-3, but it is not required.  You can run non-synthetic if you want, but synthetics do provide more protection at very high temperatures.  If you want to see if a higher viscosity oil makes a difference in your oil pressure, try a straight 60 weight as long as you only ride in hot weather.  Your owner manual has the relevant information as to the acceptable viscosity for various ambient temperature ranges.  But your problem is not the oil.  As you noted in your first post, the exact same engine but in a Street Glide maintained proper pressure where your's does not. 

Jerry

[Texas 103]

The dealership lied to you, but that's not exactly unusual.  You can use any motor oil you want that meets current specifications.  There's this little thing called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 (federal law) that specifically states they can't make you use their brand of maintenance products to maintain warranty coverage, UNLESS they provide those products free of charge.

If the Street Glide you were riding was a CVO, it had SYN-3 in it from the factory.  All CVO's come with SYN-3, but it is not required.  You can run non-synthetic if you want, but synthetics do provide more protection at very high temperatures.  If you want to see if a higher viscosity oil makes a difference in your oil pressure, try a straight 60 weight as long as you only ride in hot weather.  Your owner manual has the relevant information as to the acceptable viscosity for various ambient temperature ranges.  But your problem is not the oil.  As you noted in your first post, the exact same engine but in a Street Glide maintained proper pressure where your's does not. 

Jerry

Slight correction Jerry...SIN-3!

[grc]

Slight correction Jerry...SIN 3!

   I stand corrected.

Jerry

[drgmis16]

   Stopped in dealership today to check on a back ordered part with parts person.  Brought up this oil pressure topic and a call was place to HD Tech Services.  The person in Milwaukee inquired if it was making any "noise".  The engine at present sounds okay with no "unusual" noises.  The reply was "As long as no noises, it is okay".  The parts person had the service book opened and stated the pressure range and the Tech Service person danced around it.  So it seems that the Service Manual is a "guide" in some cases and in others must be followed as written?  Might just swap the oil pressure sender to see what happens and then go back to the dealership to have them put the mechanical gauge in and see what the reading is.  Guess the "warranty" is no warranty in that HD will push it down the road until it expires and the repair is on my nickel!  Might just get the fittings and mechanical gauge myself and do it also.
Read the manual again and it states that SYN-3 is "preferred".
1roadking; did the pressure reading change following the installation of the 117 kit?

[1roadking]

I haven’t gotten the bike back yet, but I  did ask him to check pressure when he did the work and he said it was all good. I will update ASAP once I can ride the beast 🤓