Oil pressure switches - am I just unlucky

[R1150RDave]

Last year I found my left foot was getting covered in oil as was that side of the bike. Fortunately it was just a leaking oil pressure switch.

Now the replacement switch has gone faulty by not lighting up when the main switch is turned on, then somtimes it does, then somtimes it comes on dim.

The new switch is coming FOC, but is this a common fault with this switch?

[DJ Downunder]

I've never heard of it before now.

DJ

[wncbmw]

First I have heard of that also. My left foot got covered in oil from a faulty valve cover gasket!

[Boxer]

Never heard of it leaking. Mine went belly-up earlier last month and I had to replace it, but it never leaked oil. I suppose if it wasn't properly sealed when replaced it could leak. The manual says to use a sealant when you screw the new one back in.

[jonmaddux]

There should be a thin crush washer pre-installed on the replacement oil pressure switch.

If you use any sealant (and you should not need it because of the crush washer), use very little. Use something like Locktite 565. Sealant will affect the grounding path of the switch which will give you a false reading. When there is no path to ground, the light comes on.

[R1150RDave]

There should be a thin crush washer pre-installed on the replacement oil pressure switch.

If you use any sealant (and you should not need it because of the crush washer), use very little. Use something like Locktite 565. Sealant will affect the grounding path of the switch which will give you a false reading. When there is no path to ground, the light comes on.

The switch leaked from the tip where the wire clips on, the base was OK.

[KHaynes]

I worked in the motor trade for a number of years and this problem came up frequently. The common source of the leak is where the metal shell clamps onto the plastic body.
You're very unlucky to have 2 failures. I'n not suggesting that this is the case but the switch can be easily damaged by using the incorrect tool to tighten it.