Oil Pressure in Volvo Penta

[Five O'Clock]

I have a 2003 Volvo Penta 5.7L GXi

Is it normal for my oil pressure gauge to be hovering just above the zero mark at idle, then as I increase throttle the gauge the needle steadily rises back up around 40 psi.

Is this normal, or when I start the engine, it should be around 40 no matter what?

 

[mkast]

Re: Oil Pressure in Volvo Penta

You didn't mention what RPM the engine is turning.
Rule of thumb, 10 psi per 1,000 RPM.
Mercruiser manual states min. 4 psi when engine is running.
It's normal for engines to increase psi as RPM increases.

 

[Five O'Clock]

Re: Oil Pressure in Volvo Penta

perfect, thanks for that...

just off the top of my head, i think RPM is around 800rpm and the needle has a thin thin space after the zero, the 40psi is halfway up the gauge..

i dont want to fool around with any oil problems, or oil pressure problems. thanks.

 

[KJSmitty]

Re: Oil Pressure in Volvo Penta

I have a 2003 Volvo Penta 5.7L GXi

Is it normal for my oil pressure gauge to be hovering just above the zero mark at idle, then as I increase throttle the gauge the needle steadily rises back up around 40 psi.

Is this normal, or when I start the engine, it should be around 40 no matter what?

First thing is, No, that is not normal!
Volvo V8 operating manual states normal range should be between 21 - 70 PSI.

For a darn good comparison , I too own a 2003 5.7 GXi DP. I have 125 hrs on mine and the oil pressure never gets below about 23-25 psi at max temps. Normally at idle (which also should be at app 550 rpm), I am at app 28 psi. At 5000 rpm I am at app 65 psi.

How many hrs are on your boat and what oil have you been running in the engine? Does it operate in the normal temp range (155-175 degrees F)?

If so, first thing I would question is the oil pressure sending unit (or possibly the gauge).. Facing aft, the sending unit is on the back of the engine to the right of the distributor. Should have a single wire attached to the top. The sending unit will unscrew - I would get an external gage and thread it into the block then check actual mechanical pressure. This way you know exactly what you are dealing with. Removes any error from the sender and boat gauge. If you get the same reading, time to question internal engine parts/oil pump issues. BUT don't worry about that until the pressure sending unit is ruled out etc..

Definitely needs checking into etc..

Let us know what you find.

Best of luck!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Oil Pressure in Volvo Penta

First thing is, No, that is not normal!
Volvo V8 operating manual states normal range should be between 21 - 70 PSI.

For a darn good comparison , I too own a 2003 5.7 GXi DP. I have 125 hrs on mine and the oil pressure never gets below about 23-25 psi at max temps. Normally at idle (which also should be at app 550 rpm), I am at app 28 psi. At 5000 rpm I am at app 65 psi.

How many hrs are on your boat and what oil have you been running in the engine? Does it operate in the normal temp range (155-175 degrees F)?

If so, first thing I would question is the oil pressure sending unit (or possibly the gauge).. Facing aft, the sending unit is on the back of the engine to the right of the distributor. Should have a single wire attached to the top. The sending unit will unscrew - I would get an external gage and thread it into the block then check actual mechanical pressure. This way you know exactly what you are dealing with. Removes any error from the sender and boat gauge. If you get the same reading, time to question internal engine parts/oil pump issues. BUT don't worry about that until the pressure sending unit is ruled out etc..

Definitely needs checking into etc..

Let us know what you find.

Best of luck!

Agreed there...you should also know for future reference that a fuel injected motor has a built in fail safe system (computer) that will put the motor into a limp mode restricting rpm...i believe it also sends out quite a shrill blast acknowledging a failure or problem

Perhaps Don will elaborate on this.

 

[KJSmitty]

Re: Oil Pressure in Volvo Penta

Good point Tail_Gunner,

I did not check yet many times the fail safe system utilizes separate/alternate sensors/sending units. Thus, if this boat has the fail safe system and the alarm is not activating nor the engine going into limp-home-mode (given the near 0 oil pressure "indicated"), - this would definitely give me the thought that it's either just a bad gauge or bad primary oil sending unit etc.

Fingers crossed!

 

[mkast]

Re: Oil Pressure in Volvo Penta

Check with a mechanical oil pressure gauge.

 

[Five O'Clock]

Re: Oil Pressure in Volvo Penta

first, I have about 110 hours on the engine.

second, here's what happened:

I spent the day on the boat, tubing and cruising around with family. after about 5 hours of operation, I was taking the boat back to port, cruising around 3100 RPM's when the engine shut down and the alarms started going off... checked the gauges, and the oil pressure gauge was at zero.. shut the boat off completely, anchored, had sea tow bring me back to port... opened the engine hatch, oil everywhere... got down inside noticed one of the hoses coming off of the oil filter was completely blown off... I detached the hose and brought it to our local volvo penta dealer... They had said that this hose was recalled a few years ago and there was an adapter kit for both tubes, the oil flowing from the reserve to the filter, and the oil flowing from the filter to the reserve.

I changed the hoses out, did a complete oil change, and started running again. no unusual noises from the engine, everytime I check the oil it's at "safe" level, never "add" level.

I do remember the oil pressure gagues were always at 40psi before the hose blew, even while running at idle. Now, when i'm idling, it's around 10psi then as I increase throttle it eventually hops back up to 35-50ish...

any thoughts on this??

 

[Five O'Clock]

Re: Oil Pressure in Volvo Penta

anybody have any thoughts about the post above?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Oil Pressure in Volvo Penta

Now, when i'm idling, it's around 10psi then as I increase throttle it eventually hops back up to 35-50ish...

Ayuh,..... That's not the Greatest,.... But I wouldn't Junk it yet......

Hearing your story leads Me to believe that there's probably been some Internal Damage done somwhere in the motor....

I'd just Run her til she Pukes...... You might see another 1000hrs out of it....