390 Duke “ Low Oil Pressure “
- Thread starter Udders
- Start date
This is a common fault if you don’t socialise!! KTM’s are sociable beasts 
……..oh, and twist the throttle open!! 
Well apparently they had a dodgy batch of pressure switches. 
I’ve ordered a new one. I’ll give it its second service too even though in 7 years it’s only just gone past 1700 miles. 
I’ve ordered a new one. I’ll give it its second service too even though in 7 years it’s only just gone past 1700 miles.
Well it’s DEAD! 
Cheap shitty seals that KTM used are the cause.
I had the original “ Low Oil Pressure “ warning come up so did a search on line and there’s a common fault with the switches. I bought a new switch from KTM, a gallon of identical oil and a new oil filter.
I thought I’d drain the oil, swap the switch and oil filter, then refil with fresh oil just in time for my month long holiday in Scotland. Easy.
Nope!
I discovered yesterday that there are two oil screens things along with the oil filter that need changing at the same time as the main oil filter.
So, I just did a 74 mile round trip to AMS KTM in Tewksbury and bought the correct kit with everything needed. Sorted I thought.
Wrong.
I went for a quick pootle up and down the road to get the oil nice and warm, popped it up on axle stands and whipped the main drain plug out.
Out came some brown runny slop and NOT nice clean oil like you’d expect from an engine with only 1700 miles on it. WTF is that shit I blurted out! I then pulled out the oil screen thing behind the main drain plug and it’s covered in some fluffy shit and a fair few golden specks too!
I’m then back on the internet researching what has caused the coolant to mix with the engine oil.
Well it appears there’s another fairly common problem with shitty seals behind the water pump that lets water past into the oil system! Fan fucking tastic! The gold specks are bits off the brass water pump I think / hope?
That’s me going away bike less on my holibobs! There’s no way that’s getting fixed in the next day and a half!
That also makes me think there’s probably nothing wrong with the oil pressure switch.
I’m also hoping that the new seals can be put in without having to pull the engine to bits?
What a complete arse!
It’s a bit of a coincidence that KTM do a repair kit though.
There’s been no steam / smoke / overheating etc but did have a bit of coolant loss which I’d put down to a loose hose clip somewhere at the front. The carpet in my motorhome garage had been damp a couple of times but I’d not looked into it. I guess I should’ve now!
I’ll have to get it into KTM when I get back from Scotland and get them to sort it.
I have a major distrust in main dealers though. Ridiculous hourly charges and they tend to invent problems that don’t need fixing but are quite happy to charge you for the pleasure.
I may actually take it to Readspeed in Stourport instead. I trust them.
Cheap shitty seals that KTM used are the cause.
I had the original “ Low Oil Pressure “ warning come up so did a search on line and there’s a common fault with the switches. I bought a new switch from KTM, a gallon of identical oil and a new oil filter.
I thought I’d drain the oil, swap the switch and oil filter, then refil with fresh oil just in time for my month long holiday in Scotland. Easy.Nope!
I discovered yesterday that there are two oil screens things along with the oil filter that need changing at the same time as the main oil filter.
So, I just did a 74 mile round trip to AMS KTM in Tewksbury and bought the correct kit with everything needed. Sorted I thought.Wrong.
I went for a quick pootle up and down the road to get the oil nice and warm, popped it up on axle stands and whipped the main drain plug out.
Out came some brown runny slop and NOT nice clean oil like you’d expect from an engine with only 1700 miles on it. WTF is that shit I blurted out! I then pulled out the oil screen thing behind the main drain plug and it’s covered in some fluffy shit and a fair few golden specks too!
I’m then back on the internet researching what has caused the coolant to mix with the engine oil.
Well it appears there’s another fairly common problem with shitty seals behind the water pump that lets water past into the oil system! Fan fucking tastic!
The gold specks are bits off the brass water pump I think / hope? That’s me going away bike less on my holibobs!
There’s no way that’s getting fixed in the next day and a half!That also makes me think there’s probably nothing wrong with the oil pressure switch.
I’m also hoping that the new seals can be put in without having to pull the engine to bits?
What a complete arse!
It’s a bit of a coincidence that KTM do a repair kit though.
There’s been no steam / smoke / overheating etc but did have a bit of coolant loss which I’d put down to a loose hose clip somewhere at the front. The carpet in my motorhome garage had been damp a couple of times but I’d not looked into it. I guess I should’ve now!
I’ll have to get it into KTM when I get back from Scotland and get them to sort it.
I have a major distrust in main dealers though. Ridiculous hourly charges and they tend to invent problems that don’t need fixing but are quite happy to charge you for the pleasure.
I may actually take it to Readspeed in Stourport instead. I trust them.
that's pretty rubbish isn't it I wish ktm could make a bomb proof bike like the Japanese do.
Sorry to hear of your woes. Have you tried / been on this forum. During my two year ownership of my 2022 ktm I was on here.
They are a helpful bunch people like Mirius & Noserd really know your model eg pre 2021 bikes. Ask them about seal access and wether a full strip is necessary
They are a helpful bunch people like Mirius & Noserd really know your model eg pre 2021 bikes. Ask them about seal access and wether a full strip is necessary
I’ve watched a couple of YouTube videos showing how easy a job it is ( should be! ). It can all be done quite easily in place. I got the full repair kit from KTM and bought a nice seal puller / pick kit. I’ll have a go at it when I get back home in a couple of weeks.
). It can all be done quite easily in place. I got the full repair kit from KTM and bought a nice seal puller / pick kit. I’ll have a go at it when I get back home in a couple of weeks. 
Water pumps on most big katooms are shite too.....I hope that makes you feel better 
Not in the slightest!
Just a clear sign of these “ cheap “ countries that these manufacturers use now that are obviously using cheap inferior products to make the bikes with. You can’t skimp on the quality of rubber seals. Well you can but there are consequences.
The end result of this is that I’ll never buy another KTM so they’ve lost a customer. Short term gain but a long term loss.
Just a clear sign of these “ cheap “ countries that these manufacturers use now that are obviously using cheap inferior products to make the bikes with. You can’t skimp on the quality of rubber seals. Well you can but there are consequences.
The end result of this is that I’ll never buy another KTM so they’ve lost a customer. Short term gain but a long term loss.
Don't take this the wrong way, but that is a major over reaction to a leaking water pump seal!!!!Not in the slightest!
Just a clear sign of these “ cheap “ countries that these manufacturers use now that are obviously using cheap inferior products to make the bikes with. You can’t skimp on the quality of rubber seals. Well you can but there are consequences.
The end result of this is that I’ll never buy another KTM so they’ve lost a customer. Short term gain but a long term loss.
Depends on how you look at things. On a bike that’s only just done over 1700 miles I would call any failure of a seal pretty poor! I like reliability and clearly nearly all models of KTM’s have piss poor quality when it comes to these type of seals! If you go on AMS’s website there’s a water pump seal repair kit for nearly every model! That should tell the general public AND the manufacturer something! Use better quality components!
It’s a shame because I’ve lost any faith I had in the 390 Duke now. I don’t trust it anymore. I’ve already started looking for its replacement.
All motorcycles have common faults........I don't think it is the mileage on your bike that's the issue. It will be the lack of use. It's your prerogative how you deal with it
The 950 and 990 bikes are notorious for water pump seal failures.Not in the slightest!
Just a clear sign of these “ cheap “ countries that these manufacturers use now that are obviously using cheap inferior products to make the bikes with. You can’t skimp on the quality of rubber seals. Well you can but there are consequences.
The end result of this is that I’ll never buy another KTM so they’ve lost a customer. Short term gain but a long term loss.
They were built in Austria.
KTM never rush into fixing anything if they can just ignore it IME.
Great bikes, not so great company, see current 7/890 cam fiasco. Had 4, still got 3 but doubt I'd buy another new one. Maybe an enduro model, but in reality I'd more likely to buy a Beta think.
Great bikes, not so great company, see current 7/890 cam fiasco. Had 4, still got 3 but doubt I'd buy another new one. Maybe an enduro model, but in reality I'd more likely to buy a Beta think.
Not wishing to be a tosser - but just to check - you have had a bike 7 years, appreciate its only done 1700 miles and how many times has it been serviced? Having owned a 390 Duke for many years the guide is 4500 miles or annual. This service should include fresh oil, new oil filter and for me I just cleaned the screens each time rather than buying new. Service costs in oil/bits if your DIY less than 30 quid. I am no oil expert but a low use bike with intermittant use I guess would mean the oil does not get much "normal" running and from all I read modern oils do deteriorate in their function.
I am not saying with such a low mileage bike to service it every year after doing 100 miles, but I think if it has been many years between services and perhaps the strainers have never been out since teh factory its probably not ideal for the bike.
On a more positive note really hope you get it sorted easily as they are a fantastic little bike.
I am not saying with such a low mileage bike to service it every year after doing 100 miles, but I think if it has been many years between services and perhaps the strainers have never been out since teh factory its probably not ideal for the bike.
On a more positive note really hope you get it sorted easily as they are a fantastic little bike.
Twice by a main dealer. The first “ running in “ service at just over 600 miles and another “ full “ service at 1300ish miles.
I’m honestly in doubt if they even looked at it when it went in for the second one. I have a big lack of trust with main dealers. The bike still looks like showroom condition because it’s never seen a drop of rain.
Yes, it’s not done many miles in 7 years because it lives permanently in my motorhome’s garage and only comes out when I’m away in the van. Should seals really fail like they seem to as often as they appear to with KTM?
Up until about 7 years ago I had about 12 bikes of various makes, ( no KTM though ) all pristine, just sat there and didn’t move at all. I had no failed seals on any of them!
Totally agree - does seem a strange one, to add to the strangeness, I have owned a Duke390 since 2019 till this year (just switched to a 390Adv), I lurk in most FB groups for the Duke390 and I can honestly say in that time I don't think I have seen a seal/waterpump seal issue talked about so perhaps you have just been really unlucky. Hope you get it fixed at not too much hassle/expense. (p.s. I have the same distrust of dealers (not just KTM either) working on my bikes, so often you get them back and later discover either parts missing or things not put back together correctly or worse hidden parts of the bike damaged).
Similar threads
