2006 ck 20 oil pressure

Rockman · May 10, 2014

Hey folks,

My ck 20 only has 330 hours on it, it sits most of the time, recently the low oil pressure light will come on below 1500 rpm after it warms up. I replaced the oil preasure sending unit, but that was not the problem. I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem, and if you did, what was the cause?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Kevin

ritcheyvs · May 10, 2014

Hey Rockman, we are almost neighbors (Kittrell, NC).

Seriously, I think your next step should be to get a mechanical oil pressure gauge and determine if you have a pressure problem or an indication problem. If the oil pressure is truly low, you need to find the problem or you'll be looking for a new engine before long. Possible causes include the oil pump, pressure relief valve, a main or rod end bearing, and the rocker shaft. The fix could be amything from cheap and simple to really hard and expensive, depending on the cause. Good luck.

Hill Billy Bob · May 11, 2014

What weight oil are you using?...Have you pulled the dipstick and checked to see if it is over full (fuel or coolant leaking into pan...and thinning the oil)?

I know we have different engines, but you can see the pressure mine carries at idle, with oil at almost 190*F.....HB Bob

Rockman · May 11, 2014

I'm using Rotella 15/30 oil, level is correct, I installed a mechanical oil pressure gauge, I only have 7 lbs. at Idle, 25 lbs. at 2000 R.P.M. It started doing this after the last oil change, I used a Car Quest oil filter #85334, I will get a Kioti filter tomorrow and see if that is the problem.

Kevin

Rockman · May 11, 2014

Hey ritcheyvs, I am actually in Wilton, but we are still close. Thanks for the reply, I am hoping for the cheap and simple fix.

Kevin

Soundguy · May 11, 2014

any time you have a drastic pressure change after oil change.. I would immediately drain that oil out and change back to previous type of filter and recheck them pressures on the mechanical gauge.

Luckily you had 7 psi at idle. as a rule of thumb.. 6 psi per 1k rpm will keep metal from bumping too much.. though obviously more is better.. etc.

I'd have to imagine that machine able to make in the 60 psi range at least, when trying..

ritcheyvs · May 11, 2014

Rockman said:
Hey ritcheyvs, I am actually in Wilton, but we are still close. Thanks for the reply, I am hoping for the cheap and simple fix.

Kevin

I know exactly where Wilton is, I just never knew that was the name of the place. We normally drive right through there to get to Durham.

The good news is that you probably had enough oil pressure to prevent serious damage, at least based on your gauge data. Soundguy may have more insight than me on this. My old Mercedes diesel cars had a lower limit of 1/2 bar (7-8 psi) at hot idle but the MBZ gauge should peg (about 45 PSI) by about 2000 RPM.

Given the new information (that this started after an oil change), I think you have your next step: try the right oil filter. A restriction in the oil filter could certainly cause low pressure. As far as I know, all Rotella is Cx (Diesel) rated so it should be OK, but I guess it's possible you got something that was mislabeled.

Soundguy · May 12, 2014

one other thing.. check for lots of fuel in the oil...

Rockman · May 12, 2014

No luck, Changed the oil and installed a KIOTI filter, still Low oil pressure. Looks like it has to go to the shop. Sure don't need to spend that kind of money right now.

Kevin

ritcheyvs · May 12, 2014

Sorry to hear that. Where do you go to get tractor work done?

The only other easy things I can think to check would be the oil pressure relief valve (dirty seat, damaged seal, or damaged spring) and the rocker arm brackets and end sealing caps (lose). From what I can see, everything else requires serious disassembly. I have a CK25-35 Service Manual and it says the minimum hot idle oil pressure is 7.11 psi and it should be above 35.6 psi at rated speed. This same manual says to check the oil level, oil filter, oil pump relief valve, oil passages (whatever that means), and oil clearance (whatever that means) if oil pressure is low. I suspect checking the clearance means main and rod end bearings. Good luck.