oil pressure switch

[Guest]

So I purchased this old bike. And with it, came a leaky oil pressure switch.

I tried a few things to stop it from leaking....so I wound up buying a new one.
in 19 miles.....it is now leaking!

So ....is this a problem area that I don't know how to correct? I bought a new o-ring with the new switch.

How about just plugging the sucker off?

[Triam]

You can't plug it off. The previous owner had plugged off mine and it stops the oil from getting to the top end at all. It's necessary. Do you know where it's leaking from exactly? Is it near the plastic on the top, or is it from the mating surface that the seal is supposed to seal up?

[Nessism]

What bike are we talking about? An 850? If so, something doesn't sound right. The pressure switch is just a plastic piece with metal plunger and unlikely to leak. There are several seals involved in the plate assembly though, so sounds like you have a bad seal somewhere. Oblong seal on plate, special sealing washers on two plate hold down screws, and an o-ring around the sensor itself.

You can ditch the sensor entirely but you will need something to plug the hole in the plate. Just make sure whatever you use though doesn't go down too deep into the oil distribution cavity and cap off the oil feed port from the oil pump.

[Flatline_Racing]

Could your engine be leaking from the can chain tensioner?

[520eek]

If I had to guess....I will say it must be coming from the top of unit where the plastic and brass are bonded. Everything else is dry, new gaskets and whatnot. I noticed it was leaking so I took it out and put sealant around the mating area along with its original o-ring....still leaked. Went and got a nice juicy fresh o-ring from auto store and installed with no sealant....leaked. Now I am drying this off each time with carb clean or brake clean each time. It is the pressure switch in question. Bolts are tight and gasket underneath plate is fine. I even tried a used one with its o-ring and it leaked! ( DUH)

Finally a new one that I ordered came in ( along with new o-ring) Installed it and it was good for 19 miles. Then I spotted the leak on the electrical connector/brass terminal end again! I can wash it all off and use compressed air to blow dry...and I have. Only to see it leaking at the top. I think I will remove plate and look at things real closely...perhaps there is a porosity in the area very near it and it wicks up on the plastic body with wind turbulence while driving....I am pushing a sidecar on right side of bike.

I would like it not to leak, I have another new one on order. I was careful not to over torque the bugger when putting it in. How much pressure is driving that little plunger dealio anyway?

[520eek]

Just re read some of the posts...yes its a 1980 850G. Everything is dry in the engine bay except for that plastic gizmo that is referred to a oil pressure switch...or a oil leaking switch.

[520eek]

Sooo....I am finally getting around to fix the leaky switch. It still leaks....I was thinking about putting oil cooler on. Is this one of the spots needed for oil cooler lines? Or.... can I get a metal plug and metal sealing washer ( as long as plug is no bigger than switch) and plug it? If that was the scenario I shouldn't have to worry about obstructing some other passageway should I?

[Steve]

First of all, you don't need an oil cooler. Not even in Tucson.

Second, there isn't that much pressure in the engine. When cold, you might see 10 psi. When warmed up and running, maybe 3 psi.

I have not had any problems with any of the switches on any of my 850s (have had a few, still have two here), so I have not had to examine the unit in any detail to see where it might be leaking.

.

[520eek]

Well I guess it is time to shop around and find "just the right plug" and see if that will stop the leak.

[Agemax]

are you replacing it with an OEM Suzuki pressure switch or a cheapy aftermarket one?
if it is the cheapy option then that could be your problem

[bwringer]

Take a look again at the above question which you've never addressed -- your cam chain tensioner is probably leaking onto the switch. I've never, EVER, seen one of the switches actually leak, but EVERY cam chain tensioner leaks until you fix it.

An overview and instructions for rebuilding your tensioner:

http://bwringer.com/gs/camchaintens.html

[520eek]

WOW...Big Duh here....it is the cam chain tensioner. JUst went out and took a good look with flashlight....amazing what one can find when one starts to look around a little more carefully!