No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

gabeskillzz05 · Oct 12, 2010

Okay guys we recently picked up an 87 215 sundowner. It has a 4.3L chevy OMC. I think it is a cobra but i'm not really sure how to tell yet. I am new to boats but i do my own auto work.

First off where is the best place to get a manual?

Put a new battery in the boat and it starts up good but has a tap to it. The oil pressure gauge read 0. grounded out the lead to the sensor and the gauge pegged so i know the gauge works. bought a mechanical oil pressure gauge and installed that. Started it up and there is no oil pressure.

Thinking the oil pump is shot, or maybe the pickup is clogged? Any other ideas?

Don S · Oct 12, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

Might as well start with the obvious question, Is there oil in the engine and on the dipstick?

gabeskillzz05 · Oct 12, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

Yes i put some marvel mystery in with it and made sure the level was okay. I don't know what type or weight oil is in it but if you look in the valve cover you can see a tiny bit of oil comes up when its running.

Aloysius · Oct 12, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

Oil pumps lose their prime.reprime it by pumping oil into the outer oil filter hole and try it. Not at all unusual, even happens during oil changes.

Bluestream · Oct 12, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

You installed a mechanical gauge where the pressure sender switch was and got a reading of zero?

Plugged pick-up, bad pump, or maybe a plugged oil filter (long shot)

Take the filter off and put a pan under and crank it over or start it up. If there's oil flow, it will come at a high flow. (can shoot out 2-3 feet if working) Maybe have some rags with you and two people.

Don S · Oct 12, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

Aloysius said:
Oil pumps lose their prime.reprime it by pumping oil into the outer oil filter hole and try it. Not at all unusual, even happens during oil changes.

I've changed oil in a lot of engines over the year I have worked on boats, and/or Chevy engines, and I have NEVER had a problem with a pump loosing prime. IF it does, it's worn out and needs replaced.

Aloysius · Oct 12, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

If I had a nickel for every dry pump I've had to prime, I might be able to buy a coke..... Had it happen on GM, ford, VW, Honda.

No argument about worn pumps, but remember the twin gear type rely on the clearance between the end of the teeth and the housing to pump oil..the meshing of the gears keeps the oil from flowing backwards.

gabeskillzz05 · Oct 12, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

Bluestream said:
You installed a mechanical gauge where the pressure sender switch was and got a reading of zero?

yes i removed the sender and installed a mech gauge and had 0 pressure. I even started it with nothing in the hole for the pressure sender and didnt' get any oil out..

So your saying i should remove the oil filter and start the motor? I know i have some kind of minimum flow because there is some oil up in the valve cover area.

Should i just drop the pan and see whats going on in there?? Is there enough room to drop the pan and replace the pump?

and where can i find an oil pump for this, i'm assuming i can get one from autozone right?

Bondo · Oct 13, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

Should i just drop the pan and see whats going on in there?? Is there enough room to drop the pan and replace the pump?

and where can i find an oil pump for this, i'm assuming i can get one from autozone right?

Ayuh,... Lottsa room, After you pull the motor,...
It's a standard Chevy pump...

a70eliminator · Oct 13, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

Once had a rocker arm loosen up and fall off resulting in a lifter spitting out of it's bore causing a major oil hemorage, oil pressure dropped off to almost nothing, found the lifter laying in the valley.

Bluestream · Oct 13, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

If you have oil getting to the valve area, something good is happening. I would take off the filter and turn it over and check for flow. Maybe put a plastic sheet down, because it will flow out a lot of oil if its working.

Then is Sherlock Holmes time to figure out what you dealing with. Used oil pump from an auto wrecker, or get a new one from a parts store.

Aloysius · Oct 13, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

Just pull the distributor and run the pump with a primer rod. You'll find out immediately.

coheej · Oct 13, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

gabeskillzz05 said:
yes i removed the sender and installed a mech gauge and had 0 pressure. I even started it with nothing in the hole for the pressure sender and didnt' get any oil out..

So your saying i should remove the oil filter and start the motor? I know i have some kind of minimum flow because there is some oil up in the valve cover area.

Should i just drop the pan and see whats going on in there?? Is there enough room to drop the pan and replace the pump?

and where can i find an oil pump for this, i'm assuming i can get one from autozone right?

If you have no oil coming out of the hole with the sender out, I wouldn't be doing my testing by starting or even cranking the motor. Get a priming rod to prime through the distributor. Don't start the motor until you can get flow with the priming rod.

actionljackson · Oct 13, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

Just start with a new oil pump and go from there.A lot of opinions out there but where does it get you.?

Joshua Nichols · Oct 14, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

actionljackson said:
Just start with a new oil pump and go from there.A lot of opinions out there but where does it get you.?

He keeps on fooling around with it I guess it will get him a thrown rod from engine seizure.That tapping sound, well that is the sound of lack of lubrication . Get a manual.. There is a pdf freebe online and replace the pump.. Stay outta autobone(RETARDS along with o Riley).. Go to NAPA seems like they know whats going on.. They are not afraid to use a book if they have too..

Aloysius · Oct 14, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

Oil pumps seldom "wear" out..if anything in the engine is constantly lubricated, it's the pump. Jeez, a primer rod cost what..$5.00??? Besides, even if you "change the pump" you STILL have to prime the engine with a primer rod.

ANY engine that has not run for a year or so should be pre-primed before starting. Just go buy a primer rod and do it!

Joshua Nichols · Oct 15, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

Aloysius said:
Oil pumps seldom "wear" out..if anything in the engine is constantly lubricated, it's the pump. Jeez, a primer rod cost what..$5.00??? Besides, even if you "change the pump" you STILL have to prime the engine with a primer rod.

ANY engine that has not run for a year or so should be pre-primed before starting. Just go buy a primer rod and do it!

$5 bucks??

I need one of those just to have it.

.. Where you get em? NAPA? Never seen one there...

Aloysius · Oct 15, 2010

Re: No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

Just googled them..more like $10. Fords are free..work with a socket.

Basically, you pull the distributor and run the shaft sticking up. It's gotta tip like a straight screwdriver. Have to spin it the correct direction. You'll feel tension on the drive when pressure builds. Reinstall the distributor exactly where you removed it from, and start the engine.

No oil Pressure 87 4.3L V6 OMC

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