Got stuck in mud - went to zero oil pressure

[bobbydsc]

Hello. Brand new here and need advice. I am a fairly new boat owner Glastron GT-185 4.3 Volvo Penta.
Launched the boat in about 3 feet of water. I was about 100 yards from the deep channel when the depth dropped to about 1 1/2 feet. Churned up a lot of mud. Turned boat back towards ramp and still churning mud. Buzzer went off, scanned my gauges, water temp gauge normal, oil pressure dropped to zero. I killed the engine. Checked the oil and it was slightly low (1/2 quart). As a precaution, had another boater tow me back to the ramp. Got the boat home, cleaned all the mud off. Started the motor, no alarm now, but still zero oil pressure. Engine ran smoothly, so I flushed the engine with no noises. Any ideas why the oil pressure would have dropped to zero? Also, doesn't a sensor kill the fuel pump when there is a loss of oil pressure?
Thanks,

Bob

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Got stuck in mud - went to zero oil pressure

Did you 'play' with the lead going to the oil pressure sending unit?

Mine simply pushes onto the sending unit post...and I had the same 0 readout, until I simply cleaned it, and replaced. I knew that I didn't have a real pressure problem, since my lifters are hydraulic...and I would have 'heard' the lifters needing oil.

Quite possible that the guage was always at zero...but you didn't notice this, until you hit bottom....

 

[bobbydsc]

Re: Got stuck in mud - went to zero oil pressure

Thanks for the reply. You're right, the gauge may have been a zero, I did not look at gauges until bottomed out. Assuming there is no oil pressure issues, what kind of problems are created when an engine is run in shallow muddy water for several minutes?

Thanks,

Bob D

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Got stuck in mud - went to zero oil pressure

Thanks for the reply. You're right, the gauge may have been a zero, I did not look at gauges until bottomed out. Assuming there is no oil pressure issues, what kind of problems are created when an engine is run in shallow muddy water for several minutes?

Thanks,

Bob D

Usually nothing...unless you count your 'red' face!

There is always the possibility that you might 'clog' the water intakes on the outdrive...and you might see a temporary rise in engine temperature. But, this almost always clears itself within a few minutes of running above an idle.

I 'hit' the mud all the time...and if I have enough draft, I raise the outdrive to a safe level, and attempt to retreat. I have also been known to jump in (engine off)...and walk my boat until I reach chest level.

Then, again...all bets are off, when I 'hit' an oyster bed!

I use a depth finder...but if you are moving at anything more than wake zone speed, it's hard to be really 'proactive'.

Check the sender connection...and let us know what happens!

 

[bobbydsc]

Re: Got stuck in mud - went to zero oil pressure

Thanks Rocky.

Raining today, but I'll check it soon and post results. Thanks for your advice.
BobbyD