Oil light flashing on ‘16 super tenere.

Mark Gonzo

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Joined
Jul 29, 2022
Messages
35
Location
New York state
Hi,
Fresh oil and filter, measured 3.6 qts, did add another bit (about half of the remaining .4 at).
Light flashing almost continuously.
It started when my local shop sold me motol 10/60 - seems it’s a triumph thing.
Bike had to warm up but then flashing would stop for the day.
As it got colder it was more frequent.
Did the oil change with motol 10/40 but didn’t get better, actually got worse and light flashing almost continuously.
Did read up some about this so added a bit more oil with no difference.
Guess I have to dump the oil and replace the sensor.
Any other ideas or suggestions.
Thanks, Gonzo
 

Checkswrecks

Ungenear to broked stuff
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...
Guess I have to dump the oil and replace the sensor.
...
NO NO NO
The oil light on a Tenere is NOT a pressure sensor, it's a fluid level because it's a dry sump engine so add the rest of the gallon.

If doing hours and hours of high speed and it lights up during a trip, add a third of a quart bottle.
 

Mark Gonzo

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2022
Messages
35
Location
New York state
Hi All,
I added the remainder of the gallon and it did make a difference.
The light is back to intermittent.
Certain rpm’s it’s off but comes on more or less anytime. Haven’t noticed a pattern so much.
Anyway, a bit better. Might go for the ‘tape fix’ and cover it. So f’ing distracting constantly looking/seeing it flash.
Again, open to suggestions.
Thanks for the input.
Gonzo
 

Mark Gonzo

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Jul 29, 2022
Messages
35
Location
New York state
What do you think, ignore the light and possibly replace switch next oil change ?
I have a parts bike - ‘15 - so…
Soon I’ll write the story about how that bike puked.
 

Boris

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Dec 21, 2013
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midlands. UK
Prior to the fresh oil being added, was the bike completely drained of oil? The engine actually holds 4.2 litres, although a standard oil and filter change is 3.4 litres.
 

Mark Gonzo

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Joined
Jul 29, 2022
Messages
35
Location
New York state
Hi Boris,
I drained it on the centerstand tipping it front to back, although now I’ve heard to also put it on the sidestand to get the last out.
All my other bikes have a dipstick. Don’t like the sightglass, stupid design in my opinion.
Anyway, feel pretty confident that I got most if not all the oil out.
I don’t want to overfill it and send oil into the airbox.
Gonzo
 

Bmwdumptruck

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Jun 20, 2021
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427
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Bedfordshire, England
I put exactly 3.6ltrs in mine, c/w new filter, before my recent Valencia trip, done about 2500mile since and the oil window is still showing completely full. So slightly overfull, I certainly wouldn’t put as much in next time. Think I’ll try 3.4ltr next time.
 

Sierra1

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Nov 7, 2016
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14,812
Location
Joshua TX
What do you think, ignore the light and possibly replace switch next oil change ?. . . .
. . . . I don’t want to overfill it and send oil into the airbox. . . .
1) Plenty of us use the whole jug because we have to, or just because it's easier. 2) Nobody has posted that this has caused problems. 3) Jaxon can probably tell us for sure, but I suspect that the oil sensor has some "play" in the level that it's mounted. Too many of us have different stories of how much goes in to keep the light off.

You're right about the sight glass. Useless. I think it's because of the dual tank. 'Cuz on all of my other bikes, the window worked fine. I also think that dual tank allows a good amount of leeway on how much is allowed to be added.

IMO: worst case scenario with the small amount of extra oil with the full jug is oil in the airbox. Not preferred, but not catastrophic. Low oil on the other hand is a whole different matter.
 

cyclemike4

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Joined
Sep 18, 2016
Messages
815
Location
ky
Hi,
Fresh oil and filter, measured 3.6 qts, did add another bit (about half of the remaining .4 at).
Light flashing almost continuously.
It started when my local shop sold me motol 10/60 - seems it’s a triumph thing.
Bike had to warm up but then flashing would stop for the day.
As it got colder it was more frequent.
Did the oil change with motol 10/40 but didn’t get better, actually got worse and light flashing almost continuously.
Did read up some about this so added a bit more oil with no difference.
Guess I have to dump the oil and replace the sensor.
Any other ideas or suggestions.
Thanks, Gonzo
Do you know what kind of oil filter got put in it? I have seen those hi flow oil filters let the oil get pumped to the top of the engine before it can drain back. I have had that myself. After it warmed up good the light stopped flashing but i pulled that filter out right away.
 

Mark Gonzo

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2022
Messages
35
Location
New York state
Do you know what kind of oil filter got put in it? I have seen those hi flow oil filters let the oil get pumped to the top of the engine before it can drain back. I have had that myself. After it warmed up good the light stopped flashing but i pulled that filter out right away.
Hi,
Pretty sure it’s a Yamaha filter, don’t recall.
I’ll check.
 
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