Water & Oil Lights with issues

1945 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by bikerbill, Feb 18, 2015

Walter_Vulcan

Discussion Starter · Jan 2, 2015

Hi. My bike is lit with oil and water lights, even when the bike starts up.

Anyone knows what should be happen with my girl?

Thank you.

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Walter,

Same thing happened on my 500 due to being laid over on its side. A forum member and very experienced 500 owner, (Bikerbill) responded that the oil pressure system had probably lost its prime and needed to be "burped". The engine can also lose its prime right after an oil & filter change. If it's either of those, the "burp" process is fairly simple. Start the bike, loosen the oil filter just enough to allow some oil to escape past the filter oil seal. You may notice air escaping as well (reason why it's called a burp). Quickly re-tighten the filter. That may work and the warning lights will go out IF it's air in the oil passages causing loss of pressure.

Perform this as quickly as possible and don't rev the engine. If that doesn't work don't run the engine any more until you determine the cause.

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Walter_Vulcan

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 5, 2015

redfish said:
Walter,

Same thing happened on my 500 due to being laid over on its side. A forum member and very experienced 500 owner, (Bikerbill) responded that the oil pressure system had probably lost its prime and needed to be "burped". The engine can also lose its prime right after an oil & filter change. If it's either of those, the "burp" process is fairly simple. Start the bike, loosen the oil filter just enough to allow some oil to escape past the filter oil seal. You may notice air escaping as well (reason why it's called a burp). Quickly re-tighten the filter. That may work and the warning lights will go out IF it's air in the oil passages causing loss of pressure.

Perform this as quickly as possible and don't rev the engine. If that doesn't work don't run the engine any more until you determine the cause.

Hi Guys. My mechanic tried this tip but it didn't work... Do you have any other tip for me?

Thank you.

Walter

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bikerbill

· #4 · Jan 6, 2015 (Edited)

Walter,

When your mechanic 'burped' the oil filter did oil spray from the loosened filter? If it did then you can be pretty sure that the engine is getting oil pressure. (at least enough to turn off the lights) (edit: sometimes the oil filter is bad and does not flow oil through it. replacing the filter fixes the problem.)

The next step I would take is to disconnect the oil sender wire from the sender on the oil pan. Turn the ignition on and see if the lights are still on. If they are off then the sender may have failed. If they stay on there is probably a 'short to ground' in the oil sender wire.

The sender can be tested with a continuity tester and a pressure pump. I believe that it is supposed to 'open' the switch at about 6psi or so. There is no spec for it but it should 'open' the circuit at a fairly low pressure.

If the sender seems to be operating properly then it is time to break out the Kawasaki Service Manual and get to troubleshooting the engine oil pressure.

Hope this helps.

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Walter_Vulcan

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 18, 2015

According to the mechanic , he did this procedure " burp " , made changing of the oil filter , oil pan cleaning, looked the float and it's all ok . Turned on a direct wire to the oil pan sensor panel and the light still on. I have not tested the pressure because not get any oil pressure manometer yet, but the mechanic thinks may be the oil pump. If the pump , how much it costs in the United States ? In Brazil I didnt find this piece.

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bikerbill

· #6 · Feb 18, 2015

Replacement of the oil pump requires removing the engine and separating the crankcase. Don't do this unless you are absolutely certain that the oil pump is the problem!

Because of this *please* *please* test the pressure before guessing the cause. The oil pressure can be tested with a standard automotive oil pressure gauge with the proper adapters to connect it to the 'test port' on the engine. The 'test port' is a black cap just forward of the oil level sight glass. According to the service manual its threads are M18x1.5.

Do you have a Kawasaki service manual? If you don't please get one. They are worth their weight in precious metal for this kind of service.

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