Will this oil pressure gauge work?

kaw-a-holic wrote:

missionkz wrote: Amazing how the internet, forums, searching and computers work if you just look....
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/191024-kz650-oil-pressure

Holy cow! Sorry for the mis information.

Lol! I didn't know it until I looked either!!

:woohoo:

I've decided I'm nuts for trying to plumb into the 1/8" BSPT oil sender hole.
I'm going to try hooking into the main oil as shown in the FSM.

I'm going with this gauge from advanced auto for $16.
shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/bosch-gauges...m=bosch+oil+pressure
The gauge includes a nylon tube/hose and 1/4 and 1/8 NPT adapters.

From McMaster I'll pickup an M18 to 3/8 NPT reducer and a 3/8 NPT to 1/8 NPT bushing.

If I want to ride with the gauge I'll strap it to my leg, or the bars or some other place. I considered getting a fluid filled pressure gauge, hose, disconnect fittings, damper etc....but this setup should be effective for occasional troubleshooting.

Thanks! I'm sure I'll be posting soon about my oil pressure findings. Maybe I'll be lucky and find my oil sender goes shorts at high temps, or that my oil pressure relief valve is faulty. ::fingers crossed::

How many miles on the bike?
Steve

18k

It's barely broken in. You might have a clogged strainer. Change oil and filter?
Steve

Some of the kz have oil level gauges, other have oil pressure. My first 550 used to do this but only very rarely in very hot weather after a long run, when I stripped and checked the main bearing clearancers the crank was all in spec.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think running at high rpm, all the pressure gauge is doing is telling you what your pressure relief spring is set at. Usually even if your main bearings were badly stuffed, you'd be getting low oil pressure worst when idling. Does it sound rattly when the light is on?

There is a Kawasaki tool for this but for a 650 plumbing into the main oil galley below the 'points' cover is where you take the reading from, differing from the z900 variants which is above the casing.

Steve, by strainer do you mean oil pump screen?

It doesn't sound too rattly. On the other hand, I have no idea what sounds normal.
But it doesn't sound like it does when I've starved it for fuel because I forgot to turn the petcock on.

I believe I've read on kzrider and on a triumph spitfire forum that replacing a weak pressure relief valve can help hot idling oil pressure.
I don't exactly understand it either, it just seemed to be common knowledge/wisdom.

If this were happening after a couple hours of riding in high 90 weather I wouldn't be too alarmed, but this happens everytime I ride for longer than 30min, and we haven't yet hit 90 here in Chicago.

I've tried 10W40 Valvoline (JASO-MA) and Rotella T4 15W40 (JASO-MA) with no difference.
I haven't replaced the filter,

I've been thinking of going to a straight weight oil for this reason. It starts of at 20 PSI then drops to 3 when hot. I don't trust the idiot light. That's how I ruined my new piston. could have been worse.
Steve

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationNo eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationThis is the Kawasaki Motorcycle OEM Oil Pressure Gauge mentioned by Tyrell Corp, al leats for my 1981 z650-D4 (part number taken from the parts catalog)



Then a 100psi gauge might be ok. Like the idea to install one, I'll go with someone like this



Cheers, Charlie

Thanks Charlie,
I have a hard time justifying $200 for a tool I can cobble together for less than $25.
On top of that, the $200 tool still needs the adapter, 57001-403.

Totally right CJ, perhaps the price is because is an OEM ítem and for some reason is precious... Yes, I forgot the gauge adapter lol more $$$ to spend...!