Did a trackday on my 749R trackbike on Thursday. All was fine but when I was trundling along in the paddock coming in after a session, I noticed that the oil light was still on at around 2000rpm. I investigated a bit more and indeed, the light stayed on up to around 2k+ whereas before it had always gone out immediately when the engine starts. Once oil cooled I tried it again and the light went out as normal (I.e. immediately). Oil and filter is 2 Trackdays old ~200miles Putoline Nano 4+ 10-40. Investigated further today and found the pressure switch is full of oil... Is that the culprit or could it be something more sinister? @final_edition?
that's an excellent sign! - I nearly posted the other day when you mentioned it, it's the sensor failing, 99.9 % certainty. You must have had a few fail by now R? - there is at least one other thread running on just how quickly the "pattern part" (and possibly even the genuine) versions fail so quickly, and with several failure variations. I had an identical fail on my R which was still worrying despite the bellypan filling with oil (helping to confirm switch failure rather than genuine pressure loss). I buy 3 at a time now, it's best to make sure you are never without a spare as can fail in as little as 6 months to a year, and almost seems regardless of mileage (for me anyway).
Thanks @Chris , much better now you explain in your edited post! Spookily, in over 20 years of owning multiple Ducati’s, I have never had this happen although I knew it was an issue. I shall best get missen a new one.
It shows they have dropped in quality for sure, as this has only started happening to me in the last 3 years. If you are desperate I could bring one over unless you want to try "the real McCoy"*. - at my failure rate, if they are as reliable as earlier versions, then it will be almost worth it! *I can't confirm from first hand experience how long a genuine item/recent production lasts as I am such a tight-arse.
Thanks @Chris , not desperate and also have a couple I could try easily accessible in the garage. I shall just buy a new one from P&H.
As has already been posted 99% of oil light worries are due to failure of the pressure switch. I don't bother fitting the switch (and haven't for years now) rather I just blank it off (the factory bikes did the same), because if it actually wasn't telling lies it would already would mean that it's time to strip down the motor. You'll soon know when the big ends start knocking. Over the years I've built/tuned quite a few Desmoquatro motors and haven't had a big end failure yet, these motor have a fairly bullet proof bottom end. Steve R
Those things are dog poo! Mine went and farted oil all over the rear wheel. Better just blanked off IMO.
I've been through two this month. They appear to be the same pattern as Vauxhall ones, I'm not sure if they are rated for lower oil pressure than the oem though which might be why my second failed so quickly.
Went to the local trading estate and a nice man gave me a tapered oil gallery plug. Put it in and works a treat! Now it's thunder and lightning and rain so calling it a day.
You will probably find that it is a standard oil pressure gauge with a 10x1mm thread as used on many VWs over the years. They cost a couple of quid and you can pick the pressure you want it to switch at, 0.7, 0.9, 1.2 bar, etc. Ducati will not make the thing. Google it.
