2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

[NEboater28]

I am in the break in period on my hurricane deck boat with a mercruiser 4.3 mpi. I noticed that while accelerating 1500+ rpm the oil gauge will drop to 0 and then within a second, jump back up to normal range. It does the same thing while running (not accelerating) at ranges from 2000 and 4000 rmp, where it will drop and then return immediately and then drop again. There is no change in engine performance or sound of the engine when this happens. Ill go an hour without it happening at all and sometimes it will do it more frequently. Also I've noticed that while running at rpms 2800+ and decelerating to idle, the boat frequently stalls? Besides that the engine runs great and sounds great? Faulty gauge? Any suggestions.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: 2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

I would take it back to the dealer ASAP. At best it's a faulty gauge, at worst it's an oil pump/pick up problem. Get it on record in case of warranty issues in the future.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: 2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

Yep, take it in to have checked out. The gauge should not be doing that nor should it stall when going back to idle.

Mark

 

[NEboater28]

Re: 2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

So I called the closest boat mechanic (dealer is 4 hrs away). He told me that while breaking in a new engine before it seals, the oil pressure can fluctuate and jump hi and low. He said as long as there aren't any engine alarms and it doesn't read 0 pressure for more than 1-2 seconds it should be ok. He told be to check the oil which I had. I added about half a quart.

Took the boat out today, no stalling issues. Still noted a quick bounce in oil pressure to zero (for about 1 second) and then immediately back to 40psi during a couple accelerations and decelerations. It didn't happen always, just a few times. No alarms, and it seems to be running fine.

Does anyone kwow if what the mechanic said was accurate about jumps in pressure during break in?? Or should I get a second opinion???

 

[Don S]

Re: 2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

So I called the closest boat mechanic (dealer is 4 hrs away). He told me that while breaking in a new engine before it seals, the oil pressure can fluctuate and jump hi and low. He said as long as there aren't any engine alarms and it doesn't read 0 pressure for more than 1-2 seconds it should be ok. He told be to check the oil which I had. I added about half a quart.

I think you now know who NOT to take your boat to for any repairs.

Find a Mercruiser dealer near you, doesn't have to be the selling dealer and get the warranty repairs done. Oil pressure should never drop to 0 on a new engine, not even on break in.

 

[greekfreek]

Re: 2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

Bad gauge, sending unit, wiring, connector, or worse, internal engine problem.. Def should not be doing that...And the stalling is a concern also, again get to a Merc dealer ASAP, I wouldn't run it...was this boat ever dealer prepped?? Mine wasn't and there were issues from day one...

 

[muc]

Re: 2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

Sounds to me that this problem has a good chance of being a boat wiring or gauge issue.
If that turns out to be true and you take it to a MerCruiser dealer, they will want to charge you for their time. As they should because if it’s not a MerCruiser problem --- MerCruiser won’t pay them.
I think you would be best served by the selling dealer.

 

[NEboater28]

Re: 2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

I called the dealer (2 states away), he explained that the engine in question has an alarm for oil pressure that immediately would have gone off and killed the engine if there was any point in which there was zero pressure (as indicated by the gauge). As such, since there were no alarms when the gauge was bouncing up and down, he felt confident that it was a sensor or gauge issue and said to have my local dealer check it during my 20 hour service appt.

He said the new engine hasn't sealed yet so the engine would burn some oil, so keep up on the oil fill.

There's a dealer in state who ill bring it to for 20 hour service... Hope they can help.

 

[Don S]

Re: 2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

he explained that the engine in question has an alarm for oil pressure that immediately would have gone off and killed the engine

Just to clarify, yes there is an alarm and it will slow down, but it will not stop the engine completely. It will drop the rpm down to 1200 rpm so you at least have some control and can maneuver out of harms way if needed.

 

[NEboater28]

Re: 2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

That makes sense. There was no alarms and no decrease in RPMs when the gauge was bouncing. Ill have a hurricane dealer check it at my 20 hour check up appointment. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Don S]

Re: 2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

Doesn't have to be a Hurricane dealer either. Needs to be a Mercruiser dealer.

 

[NEboater28]

Re: 2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

I was reading Muc's post above and he said if its a wiring issue on the boat itself, then the Merc dealer wouldn't cover it?

 

[Don S]

Re: 2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

This one could get weird, because if it's a sending unit or the wiring on the engine it is a Merc problem.

It sure wouldn't hurt if you looked at the back of the gauge and made sure all the wires are tight on the oil gauge. Might save you taking a trip to anyplace. Look at the engine too. Make sure the main harness connector is solid and completely together. Even check the connections to the gauge sender on the engine (blue wire).

 

[NEboater28]

Re: 2012 4.3 mpi oil pressure question

Ok, I'll check those. Thank you!

 

[jabone327]

I'm havin the same problems except mines broken in. Did you ever figure it out?

 

[GA_Boater]

I'm havin the same problems except mines broken in. Did you ever figure it out?

No, he left. Please start a new thread.

Closed.