No oil pressure at idle

[myspudputt]

My new '99 evo engine (in my '87 softail) runs about 20 psi oil pressure when running, but at idle it goes to zero psi. My local HD shop convinced me to use the new HD synthetic oil. Is that the reason the pressure is zero? I'm old school and like the old 20-50 oil. If I use that will my pressure go back up at idle? The shop told me it was normal for zero pressure and that oil volume was all that mattered. Also if I stretch the pressure spring in the oil pump will that help increase my oil pressure? It seems to me that on the old shovelheads we would do that. Thanks for the help

[K - B]

Where is your motor idling at? I use Mobil1 synthetic 20\50, works fine.

[Rockym58]

I use Mobil 1 also. My oil preassure at idle is 15+ (Twin Cam).

[myspudputt]

Where is your motor idling at? I use Mobil1 synthetic 20\50, works fine.Tanks for the input. My idle is around 800. Since I posted the chat I went through the entire oiling system checking for anything. I changed the filter and checked the tappit filter. I did stretch the oil pump pressure spring about 3/16 inch and that increased my running pressure to about 35psi but after the oil warms up it goes to zero at idle. I put in Harley 20-50 oil (no change from the synthetic I used before) and as I said before the local dealer says zero oil pressure is O.K. (?). If you have any suggestions I would like to here them. It just doesn't sit well to have no pressure at idle. Our temperature in my neck of the woods has been running around 90 to 105 degrees. My tank temperature is from 175 to 200 degrees on afternoon runs. Tanks.

[Effexer1]

Evo oil pressures are typically low when warm and idling, but shouldn't be 0 (could be 2 or 3, though). Does your oil pressure light come on? If so, I would suggest you need help!
I'm no expert on evo's, but as long as my oil light stays off, I don't worry about presssure.
I changed from HD oil to Mobil 1 20/50 syn last year, idle set at about 800 rpm, and the oil pressure didn't change.
Best of luck,

[deleontow]

I came across a possible fix for the EVO low oil presure. I have always had low oil presure issue with my bike 1998 Electra Gluide EFI. I had a lifter fail and installed new lifters, found the bike already had adjustable pushrods. Now when I installed the lifters, I did not properly adjust the push rods. Still having an oil presure issue, worse now, I removed the by pass spring and seat out of the oil pump, cleanded then, and made approximately a 1/8 of an inch spacer for the spring, used an old drill bit, cut the back smoth part off, cleanded it and installed it on top of the spring, now this increased my cold oil presure but the hot presure still seemed to crash, well now the story comes together, my lifters were very noisey due to improperly adjusted push rods, Now I correctly adjusted the push rods, and took her for a ride up the hill, at 3000 RPMs it held oil presure at 35 PSI and at idle hot it held at 8 - 10 PSI. This bike has never had good oil presure and normally after a short ride the hot oil presure would only be around 15 - 18 psi at 3000 RPMs. So two things to note, make a spring shim out of an old drill bit, used a cut off wheel to cut it, and make sure your lifters pushrods are adjusted correctly.

If anyone needs help on this send me a PM or post a question to me.

David DeLeon

[Graywolf]

I had a flickering oil pressure light at idle on the Sportster engine. Changed the filter, cleaned the spring and ball under the filter, blew out all the oil lines, and put Amsoil 20W-50 back in it. The light hasn't flickered since.

[Ryno]

If your oil pressure gage is working correctly, quit running your engine!!!! Low oil pressure hurts nothing. No oil pressure is damaging your engine. If you can't fix it, take it somewhere to be fixed.

[Ryno]

Sorry. I didn't see the date of the original post. 6-30-2006.

[Graywolf]

Sorry. I didn't see the date of the original post. 6-30-2006.

Wonder if the engine will still run...........

[Ryno]

Wonder if the engine will still run...........

That baby is locked up tight as a drum by now. LOL.

[Horse]

never know, oil pressure guages are notoriously inacurate, I never use one. Strangely enough though, idiot lights are fairly reliable as an indicator of too low oil pressure. Remember, these motors rely on volume, not pressure to do the job.