Oil Light

[FJools]

I'm curious why they fitted an oil level light rather than the usual oil pressure light.

Maybe it was a case of when the pressure light comes on its maybe too late whereas a level light provides some warning.

But as a shell bearing crank v roller bearing crank comparison - surely the oil pressure is just as important? Has anyone fitted one or an oil pressure gauge ?

[FJmonkey]

I'm curious why they fitted an oil level light rather than the usual oil pressure light.

Maybe it was a case of when the pressure light comes on its maybe too late whereas a level light provides some warning.

But as a shell bearing crank v roller bearing crank comparison - surely the oil pressure is just as important? Has anyone fitted one or an oil pressure gauge ?

Order of failure mode, loss of oil happens just before loss of oil pressure... So the low oil is an early warning of oil related failures. Monitoring oil pressure is a plus regarding failures.... You are on the right path....

[ribbert]

I'm curious why they fitted an oil level light rather than the usual oil pressure light.

Maybe it was a case of when the pressure light comes on its maybe too late whereas a level light provides some warning.

But as a shell bearing crank v roller bearing crank comparison - surely the oil pressure is just as important? Has anyone fitted one or an oil pressure gauge ?

Although less common, oil level lights make more sense. All engines use oil but not all owners keep an eye on it, it is not uncommon at all to see engines with very low oil levels. An oil leak that is not obvious can accelerate the rate of consumption and may go unnoticed until the level drops dangerously.

If your first warning of low oil level is when it gets so low it runs out of pressure and particularly if this has happened over time, you have already done terrible things to your engine, as the oil pick sits very low in the motor.

Oil pressure lights or gauges on modern vehicles serve little purpose as they monitor a condition that rarely afflicts modern engines, worn bearings. They were originally fitted in an era when bearings were a high wear component as an indication of engine condition.
A catastrophic failure that results in loss of pressure is also rare and by the time the light comes on the damage is already done.

Oil temp gauges also monitor something about which you can do nothing.

An indicator that tells me when I'm slightly down on oil is way more use than one that tells me when I've run out of oil.

This is nothing new, I've had cars dating back to the 1940's that had a float switch inside the sump, you would press a switch on the dash (before you started the engine) and the fuel gauge would show oil level while the switch was depressed.

As to why Yamaha fitted one to the FJ, I have no idea but I reckon it was a good one.

Noel

[~JM~]

I wish Yamaha had included a real dip-stick to check the oil level with. I do not trust sight glasses alone, as I've seen several sight glasses with a stain indicating a false safe level.

Where should the oil level set in the sight glass on a fully warmed up bike at idle on the center stand? Mine seems a bit low, although it looks high when the engine is at rest.

Thank you.

[ribbert]

Where should the oil level set in the sight glass on a fully warmed up bike at idle on the center stand? Mine seems a bit low, although it looks high when the engine is at rest.

Thank you.

Well, it is going to be low with the motor running, as it would on a dipstick. The oil is off in other parts of the engine doing its job.

Noel

[simi_ed]

I find that if there is ANY clear portion of the sight glass visible, I'm low on oil.  (With the motor not running).  I never heard of anyone trying to check oil level with a running engine.

[FJmonkey]

Wow!!! Checking my oil never got easier after reading the current posts. I thought I had check my oil level while at running temp and at 40 mph. I guess I need to put my monkey skills to a new use for the FJ.... 

[Pat Conlon]

..... I've seen several sight glasses with a stain indicating a false safe level.

Yea, I've seen the same. Although that glass can be cleaned....you've got to pull the clutch cover off to get to it.

Lots of good stuff in the Owners Handbook....and it's free.

[novaraptor]

Yup, no proof that it's really really true, but I've heard that since the 90's, Ford oem oil pressure gauges don't really even work. They sit near the middle of the dial now, and move only very little. This was because service reps got tired of explaining that the pressure at idle was normally into the left of the dial and that considerable movement was normal under load. From what I've seen, I would agree with that.

[FJools]

Great reply Noel and very informative. Your explanation has actually made sense and quelled an odd desire to fit a pressure gauge..............

I don't know why that should have been in my head - thinking back to watching my old mini's oil pressure drop alarmingly as the engine warmed up, but it always kept going. It used to keep me occupied on boring trips - mentally converting kg/m2 into psi so I could get my head around it 

[FJmonkey]

Not difficult to fix, show the low and high limits of oil pressure on the gauge in green (good), outside of that in red (bad).... Most sheep can tell good from bad, most....

[Mark Olson]

The oil level light is used to access correct tuning of your fj.

If tuned properly you will see the oil light come on during hard acceleration( even with the oil level correct.)

If you have never seen this light when riding your fj , you are not going fast enough.

The v-max will do it as well , its a yamaha thing.

MarkO.

[Flynt]

its a yamaha thing.

Killin me mark...   

[aviationfred]

The oil level light is used to access correct tuning of your fj.

If tuned properly you will see the oil light come on during hard acceleration( even with the oil level correct.)

If you have never seen this light when riding your fj , you are not going fast enough.

The v-max will do it as well , its a yamaha thing.

MarkO.

+1 Mark,

This had me laughing. 


I have never heard of using the Oil Level indicator as a tuning device. Mark has sound logic though, can't argue it. 

Fred

[FJools]

Of Course.........thats an indication that it is working