Mercruiser 4.3 s/n 0W322757 high oil pressure

[darren32]

Howdy, new here

I have a 2005 bayliner 185 with a Mercruiser 4.3 s/n0W322757. This will be our 5th summer with this boat. We use it almost every weekend. I have winterized / changed the oil every fall myself. The only thing I did different this year is put a K&N HP2001 filter on it because I figured the nut would make it easier to change. I had been using the OEM filter and always use the OEM (quicksilver) oil. Since we first put it in the water a couple of weeks ago the oil pressure has been very high on the gauge. It's at about 60 PSI at idle and pegs to 80 and stays there. It seems to run fine. Does not overheat.

I have done some research on here and from what I have found it seems most likely to be a sender or gauge problem. The gauges on this boat seem pretty bad, sometimes they bounce around and I am not sure I trust any of them.

Couple of questions:

1. Could the K&N oil filter cause the high pressure reading?

2. I have a gauge and will check the actual pressure but I want to make sure I am hooking it up to the right spot. Is the oil pressure sender (to the gauge) the black cylinder with the green wire, above the filter in this picture? Just remove it an hook up the gauge there?



Thanks

 

[HT32BSX115]

Couple of questions:

1. Could the K&N oil filter cause the high pressure reading?

2. Is the oil pressure sender (to the gauge) the black cylinder with the green wire, above the filter in this picture? Just remove it an hook up the gauge there?


Thanks

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!

1. no.

2. yes!

Electric gages can frequently be a problem , but yours might just be a poor connection either at the "dash" (gages) the power connections at the gages, grounds, battery, loose fuses, connections at the fuse board etc.

After you try your direct reading gage, and before replacing your current gages, (try it with the engine hot and cold) start doing a little electrical troubleshooting.

Cheers

Rick

 

[darren32]

Thanks for the welcome and quick reply Rick!
I will try the direct gauge and see what is says on the weekend.

 

[alldodge]

Howdy

But I have to say yes to number one, it's a bit more restrictive.
You have a filter which I'm finding to have a flow rate 7-9 GPM
The OEM 883702K or Q crosses to WIX 57099 is a 9-11 GPM 21 micron rating

 

[H20Rat]

Also, the Wix 57099 that AllDodge referenced has no bypass valve (I'm assuming the oem doesn't either?) The K&N filter has a bypass valve that opens at 8-11 PSI differential. Shouldn't be a huge issue in a boat, but because of the different in GPM, you might have the bypass opening and essentially not filtering oil.

Bigger question is what oil did you put in, and what was in previously? Merc oil is pretty thick, 25w-40. There may have been 5w-30 in there previously.

 

[alldodge]

Is the oil pressure sender (to the gauge) the black cylinder with the green wire

Yes the sender for the gauge is the one with the single wire

 

[darren32]

Thanks for the additional info. I have used the merc 25w-40 oil since I got the boat (for the last 5 years). That is what is in there now.
I will verify the actual oil pressure on the weekend and report back.

Thanks again