Volvo Penta D1-30F : Low Oil Pressure

[timohara]

Hi All

Lifted yacht before winter - changed oil and filter at that time. Yacht sat on hard standing for 5 months. Launched today.

On starting her up - she started just fine - so left in idle while I nipped below to check for leaks etc. Then after about 2 minutes - I get the alarm and symbol on the control panel - showing 'low oil pressure'.

Switched the engine off immediately - followed User Guide Manual - which says check there is enough oil in engine (all good - just a nudge below top mark on dip stick) - and to check the oil filter is not blocked (well - no need to do that - brand new one fitted at oil change).

So - started her up again - no alarm. Ran it up - in gear - no alarm - left in idle - no alarm. Ran for about 1 hour - at various speed - no alarm.

Hmmmm ! Anything to be worried about ?

Engine commission May 2013 - serviced every year - 274 hours on the clock.

Regards

Tim

[Diesel Bill]

I don't know if this could be your problem, My friends boat has a 4-107 engine, only showed 20 PSI oil pressure at cruise RPM. Long story short he changed out the alternator. Gauges came alive! Now has 40 PSI oil pressure. Tachometer started working also. Volt meter now showing a charge with engine running. Apparently he had a seriously bad resistance in the wiring. He did clean up and crop out some questionable connectors also. Maybe something to consider.

[a64pilot]

I have seen rarely bad brand new oil filters, sometimes as simple as a piece of plastic wrapping that made itself inside the filter.
However in my opinion it’s time to install a direct pressure reading gauge, watching pressure trends often can catch small problems before they become large ones. Every critical motor ought to have an oil pressure gauge, and a temp gauge as well in my opinion.