Low Oil Pressure YM1700

[SailorBob]

It appears that the working oil pressure has recently dropped. It used to run between 30 - 45 psi when working the tractor doing normal things like mowing. Yesterday, I looked at the gauge and it was reading about 19 - 20 psi. The engine was running fine and did not seem any louder than normal. Also, the temp gauge never got about 140 degrees. I ran the rotary cutter for about 2.5 hours. It kind of scared me so I changed the oil an filter in case something was wrong there but, it did make any difference. The engine does use some oil (about a pint every 10 hours). It smokes a litte when you first crank it up but once I have it warmed up and the engine up to 2200 rpgm it does not have any noticable smoke. I would think that if the engine is not getting properly lubricated it would be running hot.

Anyone have any ideas what might be going on? Will it damage the engine to keep using it like that. Could the oil pump be going bad?

 

[kenmac]

How long has the oil pressure been low ( just happen days, etc ) ? Check the port that the oil pressure line comes from. Those ports are usually small . It maybe stopped up. How many hrs on the tractor ? I think b 4 I went into the engine ,I would run a good synthetic oil through the motor to clean it out. A good synthetic will clean out an engine that has had dino oil run in it for years. I'am just telling you what I would do 1 st.

 

[normde2001]

Replace the sending unit.

 

[kenmac]

I ment to ask you . Is this a mechanical gauge or electrical ?

 

[SailorBob]

I ment to ask you . Is this a mechanical gauge or electrical ?

This is a Sunpro mechanical gauge. It has the plastic tubing running from where the old pressure switch was to the gauge. I suppose the gauge could have gone bad. It might be work my while to replace it to be sure.

 

[kenmac]

You could but,I have seen very few mechanical gauges go bad unless ,it is very old. Like I nentioned , check the port where the oil comes out of the engine into the plastic tube . I'am not a big fan of that plastic tubing it tends to crimp at times. I like to run copper or alum. tubing.

 

[SailorBob]

You could but,I have seen very few mechanical gauges go bad unless ,it is very old. Like I nentioned , check the port where the oil comes out of the engine into the plastic tube . I'am not a big fan of that plastic tubing it tends to crimp at times. I like to run copper or alum. tubing.

I bought a new gauge with the metal tubing to replace the old one. I have been wanting a new gauge anyway. The old one has a white face and I wanted a black face to match the tach and temp gauge anyway. I will take the port off and clean it good in case any debris may have stopped it up.

I may still try the oil change too. I have not been able to find any true synthetic oil anywhere in town. I guess I could order some Amsoil . I am not trying to dredge up the Amsoil debate.

 

[kenmac]

I use Amsoil but, not trying to stir up oil debate here , whatever oil folks want to use is up to them. I'am just saying that, using a synthetic oil for a couple of changes would clean up your engine that may have alot of sluge build up over the years from dino. Some of this sluge may have stopped up some oil passages. Not saying this is the problem with low oil pressure ( hope it's your gauge ) but, it would be worth a try. If it works it would be an easy You can use any full synthetic that is diesel rated. good luck sailorbob

 

[SailorBob]

You could but,I have seen very few mechanical gauges go bad unless ,it is very old. Like I nentioned , check the port where the oil comes out of the engine into the plastic tube . I'am not a big fan of that plastic tubing it tends to crimp at times. I like to run copper or alum. tubing.

Kemmac nailed it. I replaced the plastic tubing with copper tubing and installed the new gauge. The oil pressure now reads about 45 psi. It was just a false alarm. Problem solved.

Thanks for your help..

 

[Travis_R]

Glad its fixed.....That is wonderful news to hear.

Travis