My oil light on my 02 viper has been coming on at each start up or when idling. It will stay on for 5-10 miles then go off. I have been riding this way for about 700 miles and now the motor blew up (not smart...I know). Not sure if it is related to oil light acting up. Center cylider is blown, spark plug is smashed shut. Wondering if oil light had anything to do with this. Any help is appreciated.
Waters88
New member
Stupid question, but there was oil in the tank correct?
(Seriously, asking this because I have heard of this before from a person locally, and ya no oil in the tank when I went to look at why his engine may have blown up)
(Seriously, asking this because I have heard of this before from a person locally, and ya no oil in the tank when I went to look at why his engine may have blown up)
The oil sensor is right in the oil tank. You can see it next to the steering post. It basically consists of contact points that allow a small current to flow through the oil when it is present, and not when oil is not present. It is mounted such that the oil light should some on when there is a little over a quart of oil left in the tank.
Did you add oil at every fuel fill? Or at least every other fill to insure that there was oil in the tank at all times?
Were there any other indicators lit at the same time?
The oil sensors do fail, but then the light would just stay on. I have seen them be a bit intermittent but more on than off.
You likely have other issues if you did not run it out of oil.
One thing to note is that when the oil pump itself fails, it goes full open and will empty the oil tank in as little as one tank of fuel.
Did you add oil at every fuel fill? Or at least every other fill to insure that there was oil in the tank at all times?
Were there any other indicators lit at the same time?
The oil sensors do fail, but then the light would just stay on. I have seen them be a bit intermittent but more on than off.
You likely have other issues if you did not run it out of oil.
One thing to note is that when the oil pump itself fails, it goes full open and will empty the oil tank in as little as one tank of fuel.
The oil tank was full (I just added a quart to top it off about 10 miles before blowing up), so I know that was NOT the problem. I was wondering if the oil light is sensing for something else besides oil level like low pressure or something if my pump was not working well. There were no other indicator lights on in fact the oil light was off when the sled actually blew up.
staggs65
Moderator
as ding stated its just a low oil sensor in the oil tank. and they're getting to the age where they are starting to fail. just replaced mine in my srx. mine was intermittent as well at first then on all the time. if youre sure you had plenty of oil it had nothing to do with your engine failure
staggs65 said:
X2...just a coincidence
Was it using oil at the normal rate?
Check out the entire oil delivery system if not.
If it was using oil, then the light coming on is likely unrelated.
Check out the entire oil delivery system if not.
If it was using oil, then the light coming on is likely unrelated.
I have been using Yamalube in gallons, so I have not been keeping track of oil use rate, but it seems like it was not using enough oil. If I am correct, it should use about 1qt/tank or 100 miles and I don't think it was using that much. Does the oil light sense for that? What can cause low oil usage rate...bad pump? Are there signs to look for inside the motor that would indicate low oil usage? Thanks again for all your help.
No the light only senses oil level in the oil tank. You may have been using about what Vipers use when set to stock specs. If you are at lower throttle positions (cruising) it will not use very much oil at all, noticebly less oil than other sleds. Pumps usually go the opposite way when they fail (full open) and use a lot of oil. Look for what type of damage exists inside the engine, and then try to find the root cause. There are some posts on here and at other sites that show different types of damage and probable causes. Easier to have you look at pics than try to explain in words.
I am betting that the oil supply was not a root cause at this point but that you have other issues not yet uncovered.
I am betting that the oil supply was not a root cause at this point but that you have other issues not yet uncovered.
staggs65
Moderator
Ding said:
x2, and to add. if your oil ratio is too low for you're liking you need to adjust your oil pump cable. do a search here, tons of info on how to do it