Oil Pressure Sending Uniit, gauge, what?:

[Mel Tucker]

Have 903 Cummins in my 43 DC. When I go to start the starboard engine the oil pressure warning light comes on like it is supposed to. After engine starts the light goes out like it is supposed to. However, sometimes it will take a minute or two before my gauge shows oil pressure. When it does show pressure it jumps immediately to 80 pounds. Have replaced the gauge and made no difference. Have replaced the sending unit and it made no difference. I know I have oil pressure but it make me nervous hearing that engine running and the gauge not showing any oil pressure. Anybody know whats going on!! Help!! Mel

 

[JonHupp]

First thing I would do is put a 'real' pressure gauge on the engine itself. Often there is already a 'Tee' or 'Y' fitting near the sending unit or you can add one. It is great to have a mechanical pressure gauge that has nothing to do with electricity at times like this. I have them on both my engines and both my transmissions (Detroits / Allisons).

 

[Tim Powell]

First thing I would do is put a 'real' pressure gauge on the engine itself. Often there is already a 'Tee' or 'Y' fitting near the sending unit or you can add one. It is great to have a mechanical pressure gauge that has nothing to do with electricity at times like this. I have them on both my engines and both my transmissions (Detroits / Allisons).

this kinda backs up the above.http://bertram31.com/newbb/viewtopic.php?t=6914

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Ditto mechanical gauge. I think anything over about 65 psi goes into bypass on the Cummins, so your start-up reading is way off the mark.

 

[SEVEN]

I put a mechanical gauge directly on the transmission and it solve the problem immediately.

 

[Mel Tucker]

Thanks for input. I had my mechanic put a mechanical gauge on the engine to check and it shows oil pressure like it should. I just don't want to have to move furniture and lift a hatch to check the mechanical gauge every time I want to start up. I'm beginning to think it has something to do with wiring?

 

[SeaEric]

I plan to add mechanical oil pressure and coolant temp guages in my ER with a bluetooth camera so I can see them from the helm.

 

[Top Hatt Craig]

It be interesting to know the voltage seen by the gauge during startup and when the fault happens, and the integrity of the ground path from the engine back to the gauge.