Oil pressure alarm

Aug 3, 2012
15
Catalina 30 Milwaukee
No issues with engine. Motored normal last night. Now after starting oil pressure alarm going off. Volts read 14, oil pressure gauge hovering around 25 at 20rpms.

Universal M18.
??
 
Mar 6, 2008
1,496
Catalina 1999 C36 MKII #1787 Coyote Point Marina, CA.
Oil pressure is about 5lbs. What do you mean hovering over 25 at 20rpms. The idle RPM is usually 500 to 800.
 
Aug 3, 2012
15
Catalina 30 Milwaukee
Update: decided to run the motor at the morning and the engine died. oil gauge was fluttering around 0-10 when it cut off.
 
Sep 26, 2008
566
- - Noank CT.
OK maybe a dumb question but did you check the oil ?? and what exactly do you mean when you say engine died ??
 
May 24, 2004
7,213
CC 30 South Florida
Check the legend on your tach, it is usually ( x 100). There is also no need for an "s" after RPM, the revolutions are timed for a single minute.
 
Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
Could be one of multiple causes.

Check the oil color\consistency. Should be jet-black, and thick like....oil. If it's milky and\or bubbly on the stick, you may have a blown head gasket, allowing coolant into the oil.

How many hours? Does is smoke? If so, what color is the smoke? Has this event started suddenly or has it been developing? It could be a worn-out engine, losing pressure in big clearances, especially when it's at operating temp. This my be approaching a dangerous environment, where oil can start burning in the combustion chambers and initiate a runaway engine, resulting in spectacular and catastrophic failure.

Could be a bad pump too.

May be as simple as a clogged filter. There is a bypass in the filter but it's rudimentary and not intended for prolonged use.

Could be a bad sender. I'd look for other symptoms IE: above. Did the valves get noisy? Any new noises?

1. Stop running it.
2. Consult a mechanic.
 
Aug 3, 2012
15
Catalina 30 Milwaukee
Thanks for the advice.

No smoke, consistency of oil seemed okay. Not 100% sure on the hours.

Had it towed and will keep all posted.