www.iFourWinns.com

Anyone know the correct oil pressure i should be seeing on a 2010 VP 4.3 190 hp, both at idle speed and around 3500 rpm? Notice the last time out that engine seemed to be running fine, no overheating, high temp reading or performance issues, but the oil pressure gauge read almost zero. Figured it's probably a gauge issue, but just got the 20 hour service done, suprised to be having any problems at all. Thx

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2010 H180
VP 4.3 190

My 23 year old 4.3 OMC runs about 45-55 psi at 3500 rpm, about 20 psi at hot idle. That's with a single weight motor oil (straight 40). On a boat that new, if you are not hearing rattling lifters, I'd think you had a gauge problem but for sure get it back to them ASAP....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

On a small block chev (a 4.3 is a 350 with 2 cylinders chopped off) 40+ psi is considered normal at 3500 rpm. At idle, I often see 10-15 psi hot which is also normal. High milage units may be a little lower again, but still not a problem. Small block Chevs have an incredibly well designed and efficient lubrication system and it is rare to see problems lube related unless the oil isn't changed for long periods and sludges up.

On the other side of the coin, if the oil pressure is too high (especially when cold and a 50-60W oil) it can shear the oil pump and/or strip the cam gear. So more is not always better on this occasion! This is why you need to warm the motor up some before blasting away from the dock on full throttle.

My bet is the oil pressure sender has died or the wire has come off it...

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

My rule of thumb is when ever I see less than 20 psi on anything at anytime, I rebuild it.
Fresh, no less than 60psi and around 80 psi cold.
My 98 Tahoe with 235,000 miles will still not get under 38 psi at idle when hot with a 5.7/350.
Big Blocks Chevy's are the worst. But again, anything above 20 psi.

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1992 Baja 38 Special Twin 502 Mags

03 Stingray 3.0
88 261 Liberator 460 King Cobras
95 Bayliner 1850 3.0
77 Fiber Form 20ft 350/385hp
70 Wescraft 1800 SS 455 Jet

Lead, Follow, or get the Hell out of the Way!

LouC - got the low presure reading issue fixed, dealer replaced the sender. But now, when i run it for a couple minutes at high rpm, i do begin to hear the rattling lifters. Total engine hours are about 40. In your reply you said "on a boat that new, if you are not hearing ratlling lifters...". What does rattling lifters on a relatively new engine indicate?

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2010 H180
VP 4.3 190

Rattling lifters equals oil starvation or they need to be adjusted is what I found. Best Answer: If your low engine oil checked out ok it could mean your not getting enough oil supply to the valve lifters cause by a faulty or damage oil pump or ...

answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081201143108AAiSP4W

Sounds pretty serious I would definitely take it in especially since it's new and under warranty.