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Oil light after drop

10K views 29 replies 13 participants last post by  Philbert 
#1 ·
Dropped on right side today 0mph stupid move...:doh

Anyway, oil light is on. I think it's the same problem some see when changing oil.

Going to try pulling the filter, etc. this eve. Anyone had this problem before?
 
#4 · (Edited)
Please stand by while I go toss mine on the ground and find out for you. :)

Check that oil pressure sender wire is connected. Also, the oil pressure LED is the same one that flashes for FI error codes. I'd suspect an FI code before loss of oil pressure. It will show "FI" instead of the oil can icon on the display.
 
#9 ·
Please stand by while I go toss mine on the ground and find out for you. :)
lol... boy I laughed out loud. sure like it when you're not pummeling me! ;)
 
#5 ·
So this eve I start it to make sure I still have problem after it sat the rest of the day. Yep, still there.

Pull filter, re-install filter, start bike, no problem.

So what now? I have to carry a filter wrench in case I tip it? Stupid.
 
#6 ·
You could leave the filter only hand tight.. so when you drop it again it's a bit easier to burp it. ;)

Kinda silly to plan what you carry around with you based on how you will be breaking it... if tossing the bike to the ground seems like something you are likely to do often.. eh.. might be a good idea in your case. :D

I really am sorry you dropped your bike. Hoping the damage is minimal.
 
#7 ·
I have a Vstrom to ride if I feel like throwing one down....

First tip in 4 yrs, so hardly plan to do it.

I just find it hard to believe that I would have to do this to get it running after a very minimal tip over, hell I nearly saved it.

Damage is purely cosmetic, and you have to really look hard to see the 2 or three scratches.

I certainly don't plan to drop it. Kawi probably doesn't plan for me to drop it either, but they put in a tip sensor anyway.

I'd hate to be out 100 miles from home and drop in in the parking lot of a restaurant (accidentally of course) and have no way to get it home but tow it or beg for a wrench.

I only hand tighten it on, but it takes a wrench to get it off, usually.
 
#8 ·
and.... i don't just blame kawi... hell the Suzuki Vstrom, if tipped over completely, can get oil in the breather, but I carry tools on it....
 
#12 ·
Just so everyone knows.... I may have been ranting a little earlier, but I was pissed.

You know, you get something new, you want it to be perfect. Well, it's got a tiny bit o' character now, and I learned somethin in the process.

I'll be givin her hell in the canyon this weekend, without a filter wrench on board. :headbang:
 
#13 ·
Philbert,

Pretty sure you know this, but just to be clear I was only messing with you. I feel your pain and have been there... more than a couple times I should be embarrassed to admit. I have dropped my fair share of bikes like a damn bike dropping hero. That said and knock on wood.. not my z1k.

As for the oil pressure light and what seems to be an oil pump priming or cavitation issue with this motorcycle.. it concerns me greatly as well. In fact, at each oil change I try different methods to gain oil pressure as soon as possible. No one thing has worked absolutely for me and I find it frustrating to say the least. I have started and participated in several threads about this very topic and unless I have missed something, there is no absolute fix. Some don't even have the issue. I eagerly await a solution that works for me every time... I do. The last time I changed the oil I was able to get oil pressure without burping at the filter. Still had an oil light for several seconds.. I've posted the details in another thread and I can find it if you want.. Not sure it would help on the side of the road or in a parking lot without tools though?
 
#14 ·
mine dropped twice, never had an oil light popping up.
Same as many other SX drivers.
Your case with the light popping up is the first I've heard of.

More experiences on the z1000sx.co.uk forum, in the stand spring replacement thread.
 
#15 ·
"Cuz Honda's, Suzuki's, and Yamaha's never break or do weird stuff when you drop them? "
I was commenting in regards to the oil pressure problems that seem to be common amongst Kawasaki’s, particularly when changing oil. Doubtful I would have went with a Kawasaki product had I been aware of these issues.
 
#17 ·
I was commenting in regards to the oil pressure problems that seem to be common amongst Kawasaki’s, particularly when changing oil. Doubtful I would have went with a Kawasaki product had I been aware of these issues.
I've never had a problem had a problem with oil pressure on the Kawasaki's I've owned. I don't see this common problem you refer too.

A small percentage of owners visit forums - an even smaller percentage of that already small group have had to burp their oil filter when changing their oil. This small percentile in no way represents a common oil pressure problem.
 
#16 ·
Ironically, I've changed the oil in this bike 3 times, draining completely and removing/replacing the filter while it's empty and had no issues. (knock on wood)
 
#19 ·
Only time will tell. Kawasaki debuted this 1043cc engine in October 2009, so we're only ~2.5 years in to it's life.

I've seen no problems and I'm not going to worry about it. After 35 years of wrenching and racing, I've learned there are much better ways to spend my time...
 
#20 ·
Had no oil pressure troubles the first few changes. After winter storage (changing oil and filter prior to storage) had no oil pressure at spring start up, had to burp the filter. Never had this problem with the many bikes I've owned (dropped or not) and would not expect this trouble on a modern engine. Changed oil since and made sure to drain oil, add 3 quarts, change filter, add last quart. No pressure trouble with this routine. Probably the one and only Kawasaki I'll own. Will ditch the bike upon any signs of oil consumption, smoking or strange engine noise. Might check out the Honda CB1000R then.
 
#21 ·
I've changed my oil 3 times and had no issues. Oil pressure light out in under 2 seconds right after a change. I drained and refilled the engine before I pulled the old filter, and I filled the new filter about 1/2 way before I installed it. My only compliant was the original filter must have been tightened by a gorilla at the factory.
 
#27 ·
My only compliant was the original filter must have been tightened by a gorilla at the factory.
Yours, too?

I didn't have a wrench and tried the screw driver method. Cut the damn thing in half that way. Eventually used channel locks on the remnants to get it free.
 
#25 ·
The OP light issue is absolutely real, not an imagined issue. However, I view it as an annoyance at oil change, not anything of any consequence. It is impossible to know whether or not Kawasaki has made a design or sourcing change at some serial number that rectified it, and is being mum about it. Could that explain why some folks don't encounter it? Oil change technique may be a factor. If one refills the sump before installing the new pre-filled filter, it appears the issue may not occur. I thought about taking mine to the dealer for the next change so they can see it happen, but I'm afraid of how long they might let it run with the light on.
 
#28 ·
It is impossible to know whether or not Kawasaki has made a design or sourcing change at some serial number that rectified it, and is being mum about it. Could that explain why some folks don't encounter it?
this was a hit or miss issue withh the Gen 1 as well
 
#29 · (Edited)
Dropped on right side today 0mph stupid move...:doh

Anyway, oil light is on. I think it's the same problem some see when changing oil.
This exact issue happened to me this weekend. Set it down at 0mph after grabbing too much front brake on rocks/stones/gravel. Oil light came on. After an oil change and "burping the filter"/loosening the fill cap the light went out and all was well.

I should add that the bike fell on the left side about 1 month ago and there was no oil pressure issue so it seems it may be that a right side fall causes this issue.

Here are some gratis pics of my N1K without the fairings :)



 
#30 ·
This exact issue happened to me this weekend.

Thanks for letting me know. It's not a huge issue, now knowing it can happen. Just freaked me out when it happened and no one had heard of it.
 
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