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Donniej
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 12:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My 2009 XB9SX's oil pressure light will always come on at idle when the engine is cold. 2,600 miles on the clock, switched to Syn3 at 1K service. Giving it even the slightest amount of gas will put the light out. I dropped it off to Barb's HD a week ago. They've been great so far and just called me with an update. They had trouble reproducing the problem but managed to get it. BUT, they have no idea what the problem is and neither does HD. Operating oil pressure is good and the electrical stuff for the light is fine. Everyone agrees that it's some sort of cavitation but no one knows exactly how. They warned me that it's they're probably going to have it for a while until HD can come up with some ideas.
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Andymnelson
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 12:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

How cold? I see you're in PA- are you talking 35 degrees or 60 degrees? Big difference! When I fire my bikes up on winter here in MN, I will definitely get low oil pressure until it's all warmed up.

Also, does Syn3 come in different viscosities? Perhaps it's not the right one??
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Froggy
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 12:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

How is the oil level? You might just be an ounce too low.

Syn3 only comes in 20w50
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Donniej
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 12:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Oil level is fine. I only noticed it happening below ~40*F but the dealer says they could reproduce it at whatever temp there shop is at (mod 60's?).

Syn3 is 20/50wt.
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Ourdee
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 01:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ask them for a loaner bike?
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Donniej
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 01:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have other bikes. I have a 2003 SV650S and a 2003 Kymco People 150
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Sloppy
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 03:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Cavitation??? Uhm, no... do an internet search on it to see what cavitation actually is.

I assume that they've installed a pressure gauge to read what the actual pressure is? And if it's okay then sounds like you have a bad pressure switch or wiring problem...

If it's NOT okay then you can disassemble the hoses and see what's going on.
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Percyco
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 05:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My new xb12ss with 100 miles on it did that this winter(30 degrees and 20w50). I rode it today for the first time this year and the oil light flickered a couple times then was fine. Temp today in NY was about 55 .

The owners manual says that the oil light shouldnt be on at any rpms over idle (or something like that). That sounds to me like idle flickering might be normal. Read it for yourself .
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Hughlysses
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 05:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Has the oil pressure actually been verified to be low under these conditions? If not, swap out the oil pressure switch for a new one and try that? Could just be a bad sender.
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Donniej
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 07:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Percyco;
The light will stay on solid until you touch the gas. It's not just a flicker.

I don't know if the pressure has been verified at idle but I was told simply that the pressure was "OK". I'm assuming this is at higher RPM's.

The pressure switch, wiring, etc..., has all been checked.
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Percyco
Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 08:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Mine did stay on solid when it was really cold. It was hate'n life,I wanted to see how the new Spec Ops sounded...what a mistake.Oil light came on,it fouled a plug,and what was really strange was that when i checked my oil it ran out of the dipstick hole it was so full. Found one other guy on here that this happened to exactly. He bought his new xb at the same dealer as i did . I drained 3 quarts out of the swing arm. Today after initial start up it was fine .
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Donniej
Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2010 - 09:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The dealer called yesterday... Harley wants them to change the oil pump. They're not sure it will fix it, but that's where they're going to start...
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Tmall
Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2010 - 05:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I rode into work a few weeks back at 19 degrees. It's the coldest I've started the bike. I regularly ride below 40f and I have never seen the oil light come on my bike..
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Donniej
Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2010 - 12:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

A friend of mine who live nearby has the identical bike. His light does not come on either. Same climate, same riding conditions, etc...

His bike is blue however, mine is red. Maybe that has something to do with it. Is your bike also blue, Tmall? :-)
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Bumblebee
Posted on Monday, March 22, 2010 - 06:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It's the pressure sender.
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Tmall
Posted on Monday, March 22, 2010 - 07:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Haha. Mine is the arctic white and hero blue scheme. Maybe the "arctic" edition was made for us Canadians??
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Donniej
Posted on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 - 10:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My Buell has been at the dealer for 2 and a half weeks. I got a call today saying that HD has *no* idea why the oil pressure light comes on at cold idle. Since they don't know what to do, they're replacing the ENTIRE ENGINE! This is absurd. I'm a little disapointed because part of the reason I got the bike is as a collectors item. Now with mismatched numbers, I feel it's value is compromised. I really doubt there's a way they'll let me keep the old engine, but I might as well ask...
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Bartimus
Posted on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 - 10:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

typically, when they replace the engine, HD sends an engine with numbers that match your previous engine so you don't have to change the title or any other paperwork...
Your old engine will be destroyed.
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Donniej
Posted on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 - 10:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I haven't talked to them yet, but if they new engine will have the same VIN they I'd be happy.... except that I still think it's overkill.
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Glitch
Posted on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 - 10:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

.... except that I still think it's overkill.
Yes it is.
But...
At least it'll be fixed, end of story.
I'd be upset too, especially since it's the beginning of Spring.
I'd much rather that happen, then some tech no being able to admit defeat, and keep screwing with the bike another couple of weeks, then ordering a new engine.
Or worse yet screw something up so the light doesn't come on, and end up having to take it back again, and again...
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Froggy
Posted on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 - 11:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Your new engine will have correct numbers. The other day an 08 1125R owner got upgraded to a 2010 engine with matching numbers.

HD will take your old motor, tear it down and see whats up. You never know, it might be the start of a fix for others that might have a similar issue.
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Aptbldr
Posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 - 06:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

H-D's doing right thing. Feel ripple of nostalgia?
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Glitch
Posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 - 07:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Feel ripple of nostalgia?
Drink lots of water, get plenty of rest, the feeling will pass shortly.
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Donniej
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2010 - 10:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I just got my bike back and all is well. I looked at the paperwork and talked to the mechanic. They replaced the sending unit, pump and filter, this did not fix it. They then replaced the engine and it's fixed.

The repair bill was $5,400, I was not charged a dime. The mechanic was however very firm that I should bring the bike back for the 1,000 mile service. I'm not crazy about the idea considering what it costs, but I'll have them do the first.

Now it's back to the 500 mile break in...
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