2000 Ski Nautique Low Oil Pressure

[barefootinjimmy]

My neighbor says his 351W always seemed to have low oil pressure from the day he bought it new. He said that he even returned it to the dealer complaining about the low oil pressure, but the dealer said it was within spec. Now the boat has about 1200 hrs, and he says after make a salom run the oil pressure goes to zero momentary. The engine runs strong and does not get hot.
So why the low oil pressure?
Would it be caused by the oil pump?

He uses the boat daily to pull anything, so the boat is dependable, not breaking down.

He wants to have it fixed this winter, but he does not know what to fix.

[barefootinjimmy]

Any suggestions?

[t.franscioni]

If it's in fact low pressure then the oil pump itself should be checked and tested along with the oil pickup tube and screen. If it's bent it may not be possirioned correctly in the pan and could suck air occasionally?? The oil pickup screen could be slugged up???

If if its a false alarm I would check the wiring to the oil pressure sensors. There should be two one for the guage itself and one switch for the low pressure alarm. They are both mounted in a manifold that threads into the engine block. The orfice in that little manifold is small and if something is clogging it that could cause the oil pressure sensors to read a false low pressure condition.

[Fast351]

Yep, what he ^^^ said. When in doubt, replace the pump and screen.

It *could* be that the bearings are starting to loosen up. To go to 0 though sounds like a starvation not a bearing problem, but just in case, cut open the oil filter and look for copper shavings. If it's showing copper, you have a bearing issue.

Oil pressure is all relative. When I raced, the rule of thumb was 10 PSI for every 1000 RPM. So at idle 6 PSI is enough, just make sure once you apply throttle that it comes up.

[IMScarlet]

What grade oil is it running

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