Hey All,
I've installed a mechanical acting 0-100PSI oil pressure gauge today. Went to all the trouble of stainless braided line, Speedflow fittings etc. $150 total install cost (gauge & line). Fired up the 1200, oil pressure was a pleasing 60PSI idle cold. As the engine warmed up watched the pressure slowly drop 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25 (WTF!?), 20 (fark!), 15, 10 shut it down there and then.
The oil light switch is still installed and no light came on. OK, go for a ride. 3000rpm gauge shows 40PSI, between shifts I see the gauge momentarily drops to about 20PSI and back up to 40PSI. STart cruising at 2500rpm pressure shows 20PSI. By this time engine is well and truly warmed up. Stop at the lights and idle. Watched the gauge bury the needle at a big fat ZERO!. WTF!? No oil warning light on. What is this? Went straight home and pulled the other B12 out from hibernation. Fitted the battery hooked this gauge up to it and tested again. Exactly the same outcome. Either this gauge is not right OR the B12 runs freaking low oil pressure when hot or both my 1200's have identical serious problems. Running 15W-50 fully synthetic oil, K&N oil filter, both engines have done approx 9,000km.
Has anyone else done this exercise in cardiac arrest provoking behaviour?