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[hard10]

After a complete engine rebuild 2708 miles ago, I am burning oil again. I had a full fluid change done 700 miles after the rebuild and now, 2023 miles later, I am down at least a quart. During this time, the bike had been redynoed and I am very happy with the results. The tell tale sign is the oil pressure gauge dropping to about 8psi when coming to a stop. Sure enough, pulled the dipstick and I need some more lubrication. Is burning a quart in 2000 miles acceptable? I wouldn't think so in a freshly rebuilt (new heads, rods, not cylinders) 110" engine. This had better not disrupt my plans for MV09!

[Twolanerider]

After a complete engine rebuild 2708 miles ago, I am burning oil again. I had a full fluid change done 700 miles after the rebuild and now, 2023 miles later, I am down at least a quart. During this time, the bike had been redynoed and I am very happy with the results. The tell tale sign is the oil pressure gauge dropping to about 8psi when coming to a stop. Sure enough, pulled the dipstick and I need some more lubrication. Is burning a quart in 2000 miles acceptable? I wouldn't think so in a freshly rebuilt (new heads, rods, not cylinders) 110" engine. This had better not disrupt my plans for MV09!

AJ, you've got two distinct symptoms.  Being a quart low won't cause a drop in oil pressure.

A quart in 2000 miles shouldn't be acceptable on a modern engine.  Though the dealer might say things like "within spec" or "uses more during break in."  Summary answer is that it shouldn't do it though. 

That doesn't speak to oil pressure dropping lower than it should though.  Sounds like you've got some shop time ahead of you again.  Sorry man.

[hard10]

AJ, you've got two distinct symptoms.  Being a quart low won't cause a drop in oil pressure.

A quart in 2000 miles shouldn't be acceptable on a modern engine.  Though the dealer might say things like "within spec" or "uses more during break in."  Summary answer is that it shouldn't do it though. 

That doesn't speak to oil pressure dropping lower than it should though.  Sounds like you've got some shop time ahead of you again.  Sorry man.

Don, this happens every time I'm low on oil. Oil level drops, psi will drop when coming to a stop. If I'm running normal RPM's, the psi is in the 30 range. Take away a quart of oil and come to a stop, the bike almost stalls out. This has happened on numerous occasions.

[Twolanerider]

Don, this happens every time I'm low on oil. Oil level drops, psi will drop when coming to a stop. If I'm running normal RPM's, the psi is in the 30 range. Take away a quart of oil and come to a stop, the bike almost stalls out. This has happened on numerous occasions.

Few things come to mind.  First is that it's normal for the pressure to drop at an idle.  And it doesn't need much pressure at an idle.  Depending on the accuracy of your gauge/sending unit you might not have an oil pressure problem AJ.

With the latest description you added something else seems potentially likely though.  Oil pressure is impacted significantly if these things idle down too far.  Whether from loading up due to a poor tune or just because it's not set correctly.  If the bike really does seem to almost stall perhaps the RPM drop at idle is too much?

If it being only a quart low is actually really effecting oil pressure you should also ask them to consider that it might be sumping; at least a little.  If it were the oil slugs created under the pistons might also have the effect of seeming to drag the idle down a little too.  All by itself though just being a quart down shouldn't impact oil pressure.  So you've got some kind of a mix of things going on.

[hard10]

... All by itself though just being a quart down shouldn't impact oil pressure.  So you've got some kind of a mix of things going on.

Not exactly what I wanted to hear 2LN. I'm going to change the oil over the weekend, rather than just add another quart of Amsoil, and look at the results.

[Hoist!]

Use dino oil and see if you get your OP back up AJ!

Hoist!

[LarryB]

I'd suggest that when you drain the oil, measure it to see exactly how much is coming out.

[hard10]

Use dino oil and see if you get your OP back up AJ!

Hoist!

I think this may have been part of the problem. As the synthetic heats up, the oil pressure seems to fluctuate more. Is there a "shelf life" for synthetic oil? One or two of the quarts could be a year or two old.

[RedDevil]

I think this may have been part of the problem. As the synthetic heats up, the oil pressure seems to fluctuate more. Is there a "shelf life" for synthetic oil? One or two of the quarts could be a year or two old.

AJ, I have to agree with Don; I think you're experiencing multiple issues.  I run Mobil 1 in my SEUC  (still running the Syn3 in the SESG), and don't have the problem that you're stating.  My oil pressure in the SEUC is about 32 psi while running and drops down to about 10 when idling.  My SEUC idles at around 850rpm.  The SESG, runs at about 35psi and around 12 when idling and the SESG idles at around 900 rpm.  I go through about 1/2 qt every 5000 miles on the SEUC...don't know about the SESG yet.  

[Twolanerider]

AJ, I have to agree with Don; I think you're experiencing multiple issues.  I run Mobil 1 in my SEUC  (still running the Syn3 in the SESG), and don't have the problem that you're stating.  My oil pressure in the SEUC is about 32 psi while running and drops down to about 10 when idling.  My SEUC idles at around 850rpm.  The SESG, runs at about 35psi and around 12 when idling and the SESG idles at around 900 rpm.  I go through about 1/2 qt every 5000 miles on the SEUC...don't know about the SESG yet.  

That 10-12 psi range at an idle is what makes me at least wonder whether AJ has a low oil pressure probleml.  A little variation from instrument to instrument isn't uncommon after all.  And Evos and TCs have never carried a lot of oil pressure at idle.  

If they get too slow they can drop off to dangerous levels quickly though.  So it's not something you'd dare just assume was ok.  If it had always been higher and then suddenly changed that would certainly be a tell-tale indicator of something going on.  But a reported 8 psi on the gauge at idle in and of itself isn't something I'd be soiling my Depends over.  Especially if the idiot light is always off.

Might hook up a mechanical gauge temporarily for independent verification.  Might give it a fresh oil change just to ease your mind a bit; especially if it had ever gotten really warm.

The oil consumption is unfortunately a different issue though.  Who knows, maybe a fresh oil change and a little more break in will improve that (not likely though).  But I like to take the easy steps first when circumstances allow.  I'm also glad the Feuling pumps and plates in both bikes here hold pressure at low RPMs a whole lot better than the stock kits do .

[SBB]

After a complete engine rebuild 2708 miles ago, I am burning oil again. I had a full fluid change done 700 miles AJ, do you REALLY know how much oil was put in your engine at this oil change?after the rebuild and now, 2023 miles later, I am down at least a quart. During this time, the bike had been redynoed redynoed and I'm betting this was many pulls to redline and I am very happy with the results. The tell tale sign is the oil pressure gauge dropping to about 8psi I agree with don concerning the accuracy of your gauge, My stock gauge showed some strange readings and so I had a external big dial gauge installed for testing. Within 2 seconds of start up the pressure would show 38 lbs. Any dealer that has touched a 110 has an external gauge that can check pressure with. when coming to a stop. Sure enough, pulled the dipstick and I need some more lubrication. Is burning a quart in 2000 miles acceptable? I wouldn't think so in a freshly rebuilt (new heads, rods, not cylinders) 110" engine. This had better not disrupt my plans for MV09!

I agree with Larry about checking what comes out. I do that each time I change mine.
In your case without knowing how much went in it's only a guess how much you used.
With dynoing and break-in I think changing it again and knowing exactly how much went in you can then check what comes out and you will know your usage.

SBB

[SBB]

And

What brand oil you using?

 

[hard10]

...
With dynoing and break-in I think changing it again and knowing exactly how much went in you can then check what comes out and you will know your usage...

What brand oil you using?

Good thing it's going to rain tomorrow.  This should be fun as I've never done it myself.
Amsoil is in there.

[Twolanerider]

Good thing it's going to rain tomorrow.  This should be fun as I've never done it myself.
Amsoil is in there.

Got the big straw and the spit rag ?

[SERK3]

Could the AMSOIL be to SLICK for break in? I know LUCAS is not recommened for break in oil.