oil light flashing at idle

[praetorian]

My oil light is flickering a bit when the motor is at idle.<br /><br />The motor is an omc (chev 327) ~78. It's out of tune, etc, etc. <br /><br />I'm planning on pulling the motor and replacing the pump (after I do a compression test to see if this thing is worth any effort).<br /><br />Is there any test that I can do to determine if it's the pump, or maybe (hopefully) bad sensor/wiring?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: oil light flashing at idle

Before you replace the oil pump, tune it up. You might not be idling quite high enough for the oil pump to make enough pressure to prevent that light from turning on. Since it's just flickering, I'd bet this is your only problem. I'd also bet that if you give it even the slightest bit of throttle, the light goes out. I don't have the spec, but I'd imagine you need 650 rpms with the boat in the water and the drive in gear. Could also be the sender. Replacing that would be a whole lot easier and cheaper than your plan. I'd definately pull the motor only as a last resort once all other possibilities have been eliminated.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: oil light flashing at idle

Is the engine hot when the light flickers? How many hours are on the engine?

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: oil light flashing at idle

Don't panic until you have put a mechanical oil pressure gauge on the motor. If its low pressure is when the engine is hot as Tony suggests it may be a faulty switch only.<br />I would check your oil pressure at idle and at normal working speeds and record the results.<br /><br />Peter

 

[rodbolt]

Re: oil light flashing at idle

wow<br /> a boat usiually does not have an oil warning lamp. OMC did use a hot oil lamp to warn of an overheat. double check your diagnosis and post us back.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[praetorian]

Re: oil light flashing at idle

Rod,<br /><br />That's interesting. I've got an oil light and a light marked HOT. I'm not saying what they're for, I just assumed that the oil light was for oil pressure - maybe it's for something else.<br /><br />The oil light does only start to flicker at idle when the engine is hot. I did buy a mechanical oil pressure gauge that I will install on the boat this week. I'll also get the shop manual to determine the correct readings. <br /><br />The engine is DEFINITELY not tuned. It hadn't been run in the water for almost 2 years and some would-be mechanics have been playing with it. Timing is off, rotor should be replaced, probably cap, wires, points also. The boat is definitely not making the power it should - not even close. <br /><br />I just don't want to rebuild the carbs, replace everything just to know the engine is toasted. My first step is a compression test and then the oil pressure test.<br /><br />Thanks for all the replies - I'm new to this motor thing in boats, my beach catamarans were much simpler.

 

[achris]

Re: oil light flashing at idle

Simpler, with all them string things and clothy bits!

 

[praetorian]

Re: oil light flashing at idle

It's the devil you know vs......