Low Oil Pressure YM1700

[SailorBob]

It appears that the working oil pressure has recently dropped. It used to run between 30 - 45 psi when working the tractor doing normal things like mowing. Yesterday, I looked at the gauge and it was reading about 19 - 20 psi. The engine was running fine and did not seem any louder than normal. Also, the temp gauge never got about 140 degrees. I ran the rotary cutter for about 2.5 hours. It kind of scared me so I changed the oil an filter in case something was wrong there but, it did make any difference. The engine does use some oil (about a pint every 10 hours). It smokes a litte when you first crank it up but once I have it warmed up and the engine up to 2200 rpgm it does not have any noticable smoke. I would think that if the engine is not getting properly lubricated it would be running hot.

Anyone have any ideas what might be going on? Will it damage the engine to keep using it like that. Could the oil pump be going bad?

 

[kenmac]

How long has the oil pressure been low ( just happen days, etc ) ? Check the port that the oil pressure line comes from. Those ports are usually small . It maybe stopped up. How many hrs on the tractor ? I think b 4 I went into the engine ,I would run a good synthetic oil through the motor to clean it out. A good synthetic will clean out an engine that has had dino oil run in it for years. I'am just telling you what I would do 1 st.

 

[normde2001]

Replace the sending unit.

 

[kenmac]

I ment to ask you . Is this a mechanical gauge or electrical ?

 

[SailorBob]

I ment to ask you . Is this a mechanical gauge or electrical ?

This is a Sunpro mechanical gauge. It has the plastic tubing running from where the old pressure switch was to the gauge. I suppose the gauge could have gone bad. It might be work my while to replace it to be sure.

 

[kenmac]

You could but,I have seen very few mechanical gauges go bad unless ,it is very old. Like I nentioned , check the port where the oil comes out of the engine into the plastic tube . I'am not a big fan of that plastic tubing it tends to crimp at times. I like to run copper or alum. tubing.

 

[SailorBob]

You could but,I have seen very few mechanical gauges go bad unless ,it is very old. Like I nentioned , check the port where the oil comes out of the engine into the plastic tube . I'am not a big fan of that plastic tubing it tends to crimp at times. I like to run copper or alum. tubing.

I bought a new gauge with the metal tubing to replace the old one. I have been wanting a new gauge anyway. The old one has a white face and I wanted a black face to match the tach and temp gauge anyway. I will take the port off and clean it good in case any debris may have stopped it up.

I may still try the oil change too. I have not been able to find any true synthetic oil anywhere in town. I guess I could order some Amsoil . I am not trying to dredge up the Amsoil debate.

 

[kenmac]

I use Amsoil but, not trying to stir up oil debate here , whatever oil folks want to use is up to them. I'am just saying that, using a synthetic oil for a couple of changes would clean up your engine that may have alot of sluge build up over the years from dino. Some of this sluge may have stopped up some oil passages. Not saying this is the problem with low oil pressure ( hope it's your gauge ) but, it would be worth a try. If it works it would be an easy You can use any full synthetic that is diesel rated. good luck sailorbob

 

[SailorBob]

You could but,I have seen very few mechanical gauges go bad unless ,it is very old. Like I nentioned , check the port where the oil comes out of the engine into the plastic tube . I'am not a big fan of that plastic tubing it tends to crimp at times. I like to run copper or alum. tubing.

Kemmac nailed it. I replaced the plastic tubing with copper tubing and installed the new gauge. The oil pressure now reads about 45 psi. It was just a false alarm. Problem solved.

Thanks for your help..

 

[Travis_R]

Glad its fixed.....That is wonderful news to hear.

Travis

 

[kenmac]

Bob, I wouldn't say I nailed it .Just trying to give things off the top of my head to try. I have had several drag cars back in the day & the 1 st one that I had, I installed that plastic tubing that came with the gauge. Small problems like will drive you nuts trying to figure out. Glad to see you got ur fixed.I would still run some synthetic oil through your engine a couple x just to wash it out. Who knows what's been run in that thing over the years ?

 

[SailorBob]

Bob, I wouldn't say I nailed it .Just trying to give things off the top of my head to try. I have had several drag cars back in the day & the 1 st one that I had, I installed that plastic tubing that came with the gauge. Small problems like will drive you nuts trying to figure out. Glad to see you got ur fixed.I would still run some synthetic oil through your engine a couple x just to wash it out. Who knows what's been run in that thing over the years ?

I think I will do the oil change thing. It can't hurt. I have no idea how many hours are on the tractor. I have put about 200 on it in just a little less that 2 years.

 

[Soundguy]

Kemmac nailed it. I replaced the plastic tubing with copper tubing and installed the new gauge. The oil pressure now reads about 45 psi. It was just a false alarm. Problem solved.

Thanks for your help..

My bet is on a bad gauge.. .. etc.

I'd have a few filters on hand if you do the synthetic flush route.. me personally on an old machine? I wouldn't do it.. Just use a good grade diesel oil, and change regularly, and a new filter each time. your money.. do whatever makes ya feel good.


Soundguy

 

[kenmac]

I have run synthetic in mine since I got it & have had no problems . filters are cheap from fredricks.

 

[Tom_Veatch]

...

I'd have a few filters on hand if you do the synthetic flush route.. me personally on an old machine? I wouldn't do it..
...

Soundguy

I think I agree with you, Soundguy. I don't claim any expertise, but I recall back when Mobil 1 was fairly new on the market, I read somewhere, don't recall exactly when, where, or why, that using synthetics in an old engine wasn't recommended. That was a while back, and things may have changed drastically since then, but that recommendation (by Mobile, I think) has stuck in my mind.

 

[kenmac]

To each his own but , I put synthetic in my wife's astro van at 60,000 miles . It now has 160,000 on it & still going strong with synthetic oil at 20,000 mile drains !

 

[YanmarFever]

Kemmac nailed it. I replaced the plastic tubing with copper tubing and installed the new gauge. The oil pressure now reads about 45 psi. It was just a false alarm. Problem solved.

Thanks for your help..

Sailor, I would still go with the synthetic oil, Mobil 1 is good, you will be amazed how quieter your machine will run. Like soundguy says, do the engine wash first.

 

[California]

... go with the synthetic oil, Mobil 1 is good, you will be amazed how quieter your machine will run.

Ernie, will that really help quiet the diesel clatter the 2-cylinders are famous for? If you think so, I'll try it!

 

[YanmarFever]

Ernie, will that really help quiet the diesel clatter the 2-cylinders are famous for? If you think so, I'll try it!

Cal. I used amzoil in my dodge ram with the HO motor, its a bucket of chestnuts with a microphone inside ! After the engine wash & amzoil, it was 15 to 25 percent quieter. Im not pushing amzoil, thats just what I happened to use. Since then I have switched all my tractors (5) yanies to shell rotella synthetic 15-40 (cheaper). I also put synthetic gear oil in my brush hog and the gear head just warms up, it doesnt get hot like it used to.>br>
FX42-D cab-field mower
Fx42-D loader-backhoe
F255-D shop queen
FX235-D finish mower
FX235-D gravel blade

 

[Soundguy]

I think I agree with you, Soundguy. I don't claim any expertise, but I recall back when Mobil 1 was fairly new on the market, I read somewhere, don't recall exactly when, where, or why, that using synthetics in an old engine wasn't recommended. That was a while back, and things may have changed drastically since then, but that recommendation (by Mobile, I think) has stuck in my mind.

I emailed amsoil a couple years back and asked their advice in running syn in my old antiques. their response was that if the engine had not been rebuilt in the last 20 ys that they did not reccomend it due to certain seal and gasket incompatibilities. I took their advice.

As for the extra filters.. if it does clean good.. I expect his filters will fill up fast..

Soundguy