T160 Oil Pressure Opinions.

Tricky-Dicky · Jun 18, 2023

My T160 was built on a budget about six years ago and at the time it could have done with a rebore, ring etc and as the crank and bearing were OK I just polished and fitted new shells, also fitted a new Hyde oil pump and clutch,

Anyway I run a pressure gauge on both the pump and crank and this year after a 10-mile run the oil pressure gradually dropped, and the worrying thing was that both gauges were reading just about zero on idle, normally the crank pressure will gradually drop, but now it's the pump as well, I was initially thinking that it was the PRV stuck but now don't think so, any ideas as to why, oil is 20w60 and oil temp gets to around 80c.

speedrattle · Jun 21, 2023

T150 cranks are very vulnerable to low oil pressure, but some or all? of the issues were addressed with the T160s. the problem would cause the motors to self destruct.

i would not neglect this.

andypandy · Jun 23, 2023

Would have thought @Iron might be able to advise on this.

Tricky-Dicky · Jun 23, 2023

As an update to this I have tried modifying the PRV because of its bad design which lets oil past the three threads when under pressure and hot, but this didn't improve idle oil pressure so it's a case of too much clearance between the plain mains and rod bearing dropping the oil pressure too low so its rebuild time.

speedrattle · Jul 1, 2023

the right side rod bearing is the last to receive oil, i believe. when changing the oil, it is imperative to tip the bike over and pre-filltghe oil filter cavity. if you dont, then the motor must turn the crank without lubrication until the oil pump fills that cavity and finally pressurizes the crank.

that bearing wears rapidly with or without pre-filling, and eventually the clearance is great enough that the rod siezes on the crank and snaps. when this happens the rod saws the middle right case half open, bends a valve, may crack the liner, and in general causes awkwardness.

the cure requires replacing parts, and retrofitting better oiling, a la T160. it requires a rebuild, but a rebuild prior to a blow up is cheaper than after.

on T150s, it is essential to run that oil pressure gauge. your were intelligent to fit them, because you are asking the correct questions and making the correct plans before it becomes a failure.

http://www.triplesonline.com/ has all kinds of trident nerds who will guide you through their own issues. or contact Big D Cycles in dallas texas. keith martin runs it, and knows more about triples right now than most anybody.