R500 Losing oil pressure whilst on track!

[Ducati07]

Chaps,

Anyone got any idea of the cause of this - i was at Castle combe today and lost oil pressure - the warning light came on, pulled into the pits and then even after idling for a bit it was still on a red light with the stack dash warning, but gradually regained pressure again. Thankfully it was near the end of the day so packed up and trailered it home - took it out for a blast when i got home and the pressure was fine at around 65-70. Help!!! Im aware of the seriousness of getting this wrong!!

Thanks in advance!

[Ducati07]

Sorry good point, k series.

oil level is fine btw.

[Ducati07]

Someone mentioned it may just be the sender, any thoughts? It looks like theyre cheap as chips to replace. Feels a bit trial and error!!

[Ducati07]

Dont know, by the time i got back to the pits and it was idling it was running at normal temp which is high 70's.

Is it slightly bizarre that once i got home it was fine?

[Ducati07]

Thank you that's v useful.

What's the general consensus - do people generally use an ester based oil if it's being tracked regularly?

[Ducati07]

Ps whilst I've only had the car for a few months, the engine was refreshed only 1100 miles ago!

[Ducati07]

Anyone know DPR Motorsport in Surrey? They race Caterhams, was going to get them to take a look at it as they're local.

Feel like the consequences of getting it wrong are so major that I don't really want to take any chances by trying to diagnose it myself.

re checking oil level, I'm treating it like I would a standard dry sump - let the engine run up to operating temperature, let it cool for 5 mins then check the level - is this correct? Very slightly overfilled it for Castle Combe in anticipation of losing a fraction and it being a newly refreshed engine.

[Ducati07]

I always thought that checking a dry sump with the engine running was wrong! I'll ask the Q - separate post coming up...

[Ducati07]

there was a couple of mm in the catch tank, I'm assuming it's probably about the right level now.

Planning on changing the sender as a start, I haven't got underneath the car yet to take a look at where they are but from images it looks like they literally just screw on behind the oil filter? Do i have to drain the oil first / anything else I need to know?!

Thanks!

[Ducati07]

I'm using Comma 5W50. Figured the tolerances should be fine with only 1100 miles after a refresh.

[Ducati07]

Ps is there a higher viscosity oil i should be using?! I haven't come across anything.

[Ducati07]

Okay so Opie oils stock a Fuchs Race Pro S 10w60 which is ester based - guessing that might be worth a go?

[Ducati07]

Chaps,

Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated. I will do an oil change, change the sender and monitor closely and keep my fingers crossed its a sensor issue!