Engine Oil Pressure at Speed?

[boarder3304]

What should my engine oil pressure be reading when at speed (above 20 MPH)? My guage is pegged at 80. It drops to about 50 when at idle. Should I be concerned? I'm used to seeing guages read in the middle when normal, so this jumped out at me.

[kaneboats]

I think mine reads about 60 most of the time.

[jzelt]

Ours is 40-60 with straight 40 weight oil.

[mmandley]

Oil pressure is related to weight of oil, temperature, RPM. Of your constantly running 80 I would look at the oil weight, then pressure sending unit.

While 80 is not bad, it's not ideal.

Plus if your sending unit is bad you really have no idea what pressure you have and of you run low you won't know it.

[Birdman]

mine does the same thing with 7.5 hrs i just thought is was normal should i get the dealer to look into it at my ten hour service

[mmandley]

mine does the same thing with 7.5 hrs i just thought is was normal should i get the dealer to look into it at my ten hour service

Of it was my boat, I would ask them to verify it with a shop pressure gauge. Of it really is 80 then you need a higher pressure gauge..

At no point do you want a Pegged gauge on your boat unless it's the fuel gauge.

[maxpower220]

To be sure, you would need to use a mechanical gauge. I would venture to say that you oil pressure isn't truly at 80, the accuracy of the gauges could be questionable. I would only start to get concern if there comes a time when your pressure doesn't stay where is "normally" does in your boat.