Oil light coming on now on my 1988 yamaha fzr1000

[bschatz62]

The oil light has just started coming on. Light doesn't stay on all the time, but does come back on eventually while riding. New oil in bike. Levels checked. Is this a common problem for this bike and will it hurt engine to ride for now. Seems to be running fine. Bryan

[GS_in_CO]

I would NOT operate ANY machine where the low oil pressure light is showing. It's there to warn you of a major problem.

In order of probability- You either don't have enough oil in the engine ( you say checked), have the wrong weight oil (used too thin an oil last oil change), are getting some gasoline into the oil and diluting it, your oil filter is the wrong one or it's installed wrong (BMW airheads can have this) or you have problems with excessive clearances due to wear in the engine, or your oil pump is worn or the pump pickup is blocked somehow.

Since you say it's new oil in the bike - look at oil rating first then whether you put enough in. If it only gives you the light when it's hot, it's probably the wrong weight.

* When I say weight, I mean when the manual says to use 10W-40 for summer, you USE 10W-40. Not what's on sale, not what you have laying around. Use the right stuff. It matters.

[Johnj]

Hey Bryan what's happening. When does the light come on, while you accelerating, while your speed is steady, while your decelerating, or at an idle. Did you get a service manual for it yet?

[bschatz62]

Johnj,
Put new oil in as per your suggestion (Rotella 15w-40 ) Level was good. Light is still coming on, mainly when I'm up to speed. Seems to fade when I slow down again. And yes, I do have shop manual ordered but not here yet. Bike starts well, doesn't seem to run rough but concerned about this light. Up until 3 days ago it had never come on before, other than to blink on when first hitting starter, which I think is normal.

[BRUMBEAR]

If you don't have the capability to check the oil pressure, I can only tell you what I would do.
1.) change the filter a shyty filter can cause a drop in oil pressure if it's new move on.
2.) Change the oil pressure sending unit (after you make sure it isn't a poor connection)
3.) It's a good thing the seasons gonna wind down soon

[bschatz62]

ok! Thanks for the info!